Lana POV:

I was walking home from the café a few blocks down from my house as Journey softly played through my ear buds.

It was late in the afternoon and the sun was beginning to set.

As I walked, I saw two shadows appear behind me. I walked a little further as if I hadn't seen them.

When they got close enough, I reared my left elbow back, slamming into one men's nose. I swiftly turned, punching the other.

While my back was turned, the first man grabbed my arms and held them behind my back while the other landed a blow to each side on my face. When I got my balance slightly, he punch me in the stomach and threw me to the ground. I quickly turned on my side, swiping one of the men's feet out from under him.

I grabbed the other around his waist before throwing him to the ground and landing a blow to his temple making him fall limp.

As the other tried getting up I quickly grabbed the back of his shirt and slammed his head against the car next to me.

I stood and looked at the men on the ground as I breathed heavily.

Lucky for my sister and I, our father taught us how to fight. Being skinny and flexible was used to my advantage. The men were bigger than me which made them slower.

I felt the gash on my lip and a throbbing pain on the right side of my face.

I took a deep breath, picked up my bag and ran home.

When I walked in, I dumped my bag on the couch and walked to the fridge.

"What the hell happened to you?" My father asked, panicking.

"Got jumped by two guys." I replied. "Jesus, look at you." He said touching my cheek. "You should see the other guys." I replied.

"Who did this?" He asked. "Never saw them before. They were following me. They didn't know that I noticed them until I threw a hit." I told him.

"Let's get you cleaned up." He said, sitting me at the kitchen table.

"Hey boss, what's-" Ryder's voice faded when he looked at me. "What the fuck happened?" He asked angrily.

"She got jumped." Dad told him. "Who?" Ryder asked. "It's taken care of, Ryder." I told him. "Like hell it is!" He yelled.

"Ryder! Calm the hell down!" Dad yelled. "I took them down, Ryder. Trust me. It's taken care of." I said.

"Yeah? What if they come after you again?" He asked. "Then I'll take them down again."

"You don't know that, Lana." Dad said. "Look, I'm exhausted. Can I go to bed?" I asked.

Dad's face softened lightly as he looked at me. "Go on." He said softly.

Ryder POV:

"We can't let this slide, Samuel." I told him. "You really think that's what I'm doing? No fucking way. Yes, she knows how to kick some ass but I know that doesn't mean she will win every fight. We have to find out why she was jumped and who did it." Samuel told me.

"How?" I asked. "I already have a feeling that they were sent. I might know by who as well." He replied.

"Mind if I check on her?" I asked. "Please do." Samuel said before walking to his office.

I took a deep breath before knocking on Lana's door. Maybe this is my chance to make things right with her.

When she opened the door, her eyes hardened.

"What?" She asked. "Can I come in?" I asked. "Why?" She asked me. "Lana, I just want to know if you're okay." I said. "I'm fine, Ryder."

I shook my head and let myself into her bedroom and sat on the bed.

"Do you have any idea who attacked you?" I asked.

She just looked at me for a moment before sighing and sitting next to me.

"No clue. There were two men. I was walking home and saw their shadows from behind me so I threw the first punch. Took them off guard." She said.

"Impressive." I said, smiling softly at her. She laughed lightly and shook her head.

"Dad always taught me to mind my surroundings." She said.

I hesitated before talking again.

"Lana, I'm really sorry about the way I acted toward you. I didn't mean to upset you. When I was locked up, it was rough. I had to keep my guard up, always. I'm still adjusting, you know. I mean... Shit, I'm fucked in the head, I know that. I just need to get used to all this again." I told her.

Lana sighed before looking at me. "I know. The shit I said to you yesterday... I was upset. Hell, I still am but I understand you're not used to this anymore." She said.

"I really did miss you, Lan. I thought about you every day." I told her.

She finally smiled genuinely at me and hugged me. "I missed you, too." She replied.