Simon's instincts flared, something deep inside telling him that something wasn't right. He couldn't pinpoint what had changed, but he could feel it in the air — heavy, oppressive, like the calm before a storm.
His gaze darted around the boutique, and that's when he saw her. The woman was standing near the entrance, her cold eyes locked on Bethany, the rifle in her hands, pointed directly at the young woman.
His breath caught in his throat, the world around him narrowing to a single thought...
'Not her, not now.'
Bethany, oblivious to the danger, stood too far from him to react in time. The woman's finger tightened on the trigger. Simon's heart raced.
"Bethany, look out!" he shouted, but the words felt like they came too late. The woman fired.
The sharp crack of the gunshot split the air, and in the next instant, Simon saw Bethany flinch.
