"What do you mean, you don't have the money ?" Denozo said, glaring at the the store owner."I told you, you'd better have it by today, did you think i was joking in some way ?" Denozo was getting tired of this, the store owner had been skirting his protection money for two weeks now, and Denozo's Boss was not happy about it.

"Here is the thing, this will end one of two ways. Either you open the safe, and hand me the money, yes, I know there is money in the safe. Denozo hoped it would not have come to this, however he was not going to allow this man to think that he was a push over. Denozo slowly withdrew his revolver, and saw a trinkle of fear in the mans eyes."Well, what are you waiting for, get a move on!"The man moved quickly over to the safe, and opening it, withdrew a rather thick envelope.

"Here, t..take it"He said, his hand shaking as he handed the money over. Denozo took it and placed it inside his jacket, and holstered his weapon." Great, thats settled, see you next week, and you had better have the money ready." Denozo turned and walked toward the door, as a young man walked inm and stopped dead in his tracks. The young man looked at the Shop Owner, who shook his head, as if to say, "Don't do anything stupid". The young man stepped aside and allowed Denozo to pass, as he reached to open the door, he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye, and ducked, just as the baseball bat slammed into the door, shattering the glass.

"What the ..." Denozo stammered, before regaining his balance, he kicked one leg out, tripping the young man, who fell to the floor, and Denozo had his gun pressed tot he boys forehead before the kid knew what was going on. Shouts were coming from the old man begging Denozo not to kill his son."The next time I come in here, you had better not be here, or you will not be as lucky." Denozo whacked the kid across the head with his gun, knocking him out, then looked at the Owner."Might want to teach your kids some manners Mr,Viceroy, I wil not take him attacking me so lightly the next time." Denozo gathered himself and left the store.

He pulled his jacket a bit tighter around himself and made his way to meet his boss, he heard a gunshot and turned to look and next thing he knew, he was knocked tot he ground, having run into someone, he stood up and brushed himself off and looked to see who he had ran into. Shock was nothing compared to how he felt when he recognized those emerald green eyes, and that beautiful blonde hair. He found himelf at a loss for words, how could this be, it was not possible.

"Melanie, I thought you were dead..."

To Be Continued....