"No!" Gideon shouted, fear gripping him at the thought of Summer getting hurt. "Don't shoot. Let her go."
Danica let out a harsh laugh. "You think I'll release her so easily after everything? You both destroyed my plans—my life, my future… everything is gone."
Her eyes burned with fury and desperation. "I planned everything so perfectly. I was about to take control of the Woods family. I was so close. But then Summer showed up and ruined it all. Why? Why couldn't she just stay gone forever?"
She pressed the gun harder against Summer's head, forcing a pained whimper from her.
"Listen to me," Gideon said firmly. "You can't escape. The exits are sealed, and the police will be here any moment. Let her go, and I'll make sure you leave here unharmed."
Danica's expression shifted. "What?" she snapped. "You called the police?"
Her face twisted. "Then you've made a terrible mistake. If I'm going down, I'm taking her with me. You'll regret this."
