hmmm

Lucian hurriedly shoved the bag back into the car, sighing in frustration as Jimmy just spread his hands with a nonchalant shrug. He had hoped for something simpler, less dramatic, but this situation had taken a strange turn.

On the other side, Parry and his group finally breathed a collective sigh of relief as the gun was out of sight. Adrenaline still coursed through their veins, leaving them rattled. The shock had been too much for the young lads, most barely out of high school, who had no idea what they were dealing with.

Lucian walked back to Jimmy's side, shaking his head slightly. Parry, noticing Lucian's approach, quickly raised his hands in surrender from where he stood.

"That's it! I surrender. We were just joking, guys. I'm not stupid enough to make an enemy out of Lucian Kane," Parry said with a nervous laugh, though sweat trickled down his forehead. His face betrayed the fear he still felt despite his attempt at humor.