Free Break of the Six (The Preston Six Book 4) by Matt Ryan

shirt, scratching light circles up and down his back. He tangled his hands into her hair and pulled her into a deep kiss. Adjusting his position, he angled his body so that her chest rubbed against his. Pulling the collar of her sweater to the side, he dipped his head down and ran his tongue along her collarbone.
    She moaned and grabbed the back of his head. Joey pulled more of her sweater down and adjusted it to give himself better access, when his butt bumped the horn. Freezing, he looked up to a smiling Lucas.
    “Please, by all means proceed. I love waking up to a live porno.”
    Poly yanked her sweater up and Joey retreated back to his side of the car. He took a deep breath and looked at the store. Clearing his throat, he wiped his mouth. “How much money we got left?”
    “About five hundred,” Poly said, looking into her small purse.
    “Give me a couple hundred.”
    Poly handed him a stack of twenties. “I’m coming in.”
    “No, just get,” Joey looked out the window at the pump number, “pump seven going. I don’t want to spend any more time here than needed.” He left the car and crossed the parking lot.
    A few cars were parked at the pumps, but he didn’t see anyone in them. In the darkness next to the station, he spotted a few more vehicles. They were all crooked, like someone skidded out as they parked. Or maybe they were shoved there, three deep.
    Through the glass windows, Joey spotted a man standing behind the counter. He pushed open the glass door and a bell dinged. The man behind the counter looked sweaty and gave Joey a wave with a smile.
    “Hey, just looking to get a couple hundred on seven,” Joey said as he approached the counter. The entire place had been cleaned out, every shelf and every fridge. It sent chills down his back, thinking how similar it felt to the little mart Ferrell ran.
    The man behind the counter wore a large green jacket with dark stains scattered on his undershirt. He rubbed his hand over his greasy hair and gave a nervous nod. Joey didn’t feel right, something was missing from this puzzle. Where was everyone?
    Joey placed the stack of twenties on the counter, freezing for a split second in shock. He didn’t think the man caught his reaction so he kept his body language as casual as he could; trying not to look at the dead man who lay in his own pool of blood behind the counter.
    “Got any supplies?” The man blurted out.
    “Nah, we barely made it here.”
    The man twitched and glanced out at the car. His eyes lingered on Poly standing next to the pump. “Pump seven?”
    “Yeah.”
    The man took the money and stuffed it in his pocket. “I’ll kick it on for ya.” He kept his eyes on Poly as he spoke. The man kept one of his hands under the counter the entire time.
    Joey took a step back, keeping his attention on the man and his hidden hand. He felt the two guns under his jacket with his arms. His hands were shaky, but still fast if needed. He didn’t want to kill the man though. He didn’t want to ever kill another person.
    Joey stepped back again and opened his jacket up, revealing his guns. The man began taking his hand out from under the counter and turned his attention back to him. “Listen, I just want to leave with my friends,” Joey said.
    The words stopped the man’s hand from moving. “I can’t let you do that.”
    “You don’t have a choice.” Joey slowed his breathing and felt the situation escalating. He readied himself to do something he’d promised he’d never do again. “Don’t do this, you won’t win.”
    “ Please . Like some little piss-ant punk...”
    Joey spotted the movement he was hoping wouldn’t happen. In a split second, the quiet gas station at the end of the world ignited in a crack of a gun. The man fell, disappearing behind the counter. With two dead, Joey breathed out and looked at the end of his gun, questioning what he’d done. There had to have been a better way. Anger flooded him at how stupid the man was for