**sorry for delayed updates. I write when I can between other projects. just a reminder, I own nothing. I am just killing time till the next installment**

Evie walked outside her room. The two men guarding her door turned to her. "I need to speak to the man who claims to be my father." She said. "Now."

They led her to a large study.

"Daughter." Said her father. "Please sit."

"Look, your debt was cleared and I have to live with my consequences for that. I'm not a killer but I did what I had to do. I have no connection to John Wick outside of being at the wrong place at the wrong time and being pulled into something that was not mine. You benefited from what I did so we're square." She said.

Her father sat back in his chair studying her before he spoke. "So I should be thanking you?"

"I'm not saying that. I'm saying that I am leaving and going back to what life I have." She said.

"This is your life." He said. "I've secured a relationship for your which will in turn rebuild my empire."

"Empire?" She asked wondering if something was knocked loose in his head when she shot him.

"Yes, a wealthy family. The son now leads the family business after the sisters recent death. A place of not only wealth but prestige as he now takes her place at the high table."

"You've wasted no time recovering and finding your place back in this. Look. I have absolutely no idea what you just said but I don't see how any of this involves me or making amends for shooting you. I had no choice?" She said.

"You could have let Motkova call the marker due from John," he said.

"And let him kill you? I guess it would've spared this conversation." She said.

"Yes, but you chose to shoot me to spare him." He said. She saw an anger grow in him.

"You were going to sell me into prostitution to pay your debts for stealing from Motkova. John spared my life." She said feeling her own anger grow.

"Yes, you both seem to have a mutual respect for one another." He said.

"I'm leaving." She said standing.

"No, you're not." He said standing and pointing a gun at her.

"Don't think for one minute I believe that you will shoot me." She said sitting back down. "You went to all this trouble to bring me here, once again, for your benefit." She said. He stood before her dropping the gun to his side.

"We agree that we are father and daughter in blood only." He said taking the hand holding the gun and striking her across the face. She nearly fell from her chair. She felt the warm blood flowing down her cheek. Filled with rage, she grabbed her fathers hand that held the gun and charged him. She shoved him into the wall. She heard him groan at the impact. The gun fell from his hand. She grabbed the gun from the floor and pointed it at him. The two men who guarded her now pointed their weapons at her. Her father grabbed his side.

"You have spirit. Now listen to your father and lower your gun." He said.

"What makes you think I want to make it out of here alive?" She said.

"Don't be foolish." Said her father. "You don't want to die."

Evie clicked the safety off of the gun. Her finger tightened on the trigger. Suddenly, an arm wrapped around her neck. She struggled as another grabbed her hand holding the gun. The arm squeezed tight on her neck. Unable to breathe she passed out.

Evie awoke back in her room. She slowly sat up. Her cheek ached.

"Get dressed." Came a voice. She saw Cassian standing by the couch she laid on. "Your father has a meeting and you're accompanying him."

"No." She said.

"Dress yourself or I dress you." Said Cassian "You have ten minutes."

She grabbed the garment bag and headed to change. She stared in the mirror at her bloodied cheek. She grabbed a towel and wiped off what she could. She scolded herself for not pulling the trigger. She had the chance before her and hesitated. She wasn't a killer. She wasn't made for this. She saw only one way out. She would not let the next chance slip away.

"Jonathon, what brings you here." Asked Winston.

"I need to find Evie Taylor." He said.

Winston took a deep breath. "I told you to steer clear of this."

"Her fathers alive." Said John.

"Yes, he's made a reservation." Said Winston. "There's a contract on you."

"I'm aware." He said.

"And the marker?" Asked Winston.

"Honored." Said John.

"I see. D'Antonio will be here later then to clear it." Said Winston. "Should you require a room I would advise sticking to the bar."

"She's not safe with her father." Said John.

"While I couldn't agree more, I would say you have enough to worry about keeping yourself safe." Said Winston. "I'll do what I can for her."

John nodded. He did need the rest. He'd rest because he would find Evie. And he would kill Santino.

Evie walked out dressed in her gown. The only solace was that the last time she wore this was with John.

"Carin's going to fix your make-up." Said Cassian.

"Don't you mean cover the bruising." Said Evie.

Cassian wasn't amused. Carin applied the make up to make it look presentable. The swelling was starting around her eye.

"There you are." She said. She leaned in and patted a finishing powder by her bruised eye. She whispered softly, "And do not worry. He will find you." She said and winked at her.

Evie felt confused. Who was she and who was she talking about? It couldn't be John. He owed her nothing. She wanted nothing from him.

Cassian held out his arm. She walked past him. She grabbed her arm to stop her. "Listen, I don't agree with what your father did. Real men don't hit a lady."

"How sweet of you. You stopped me from killing him, didn't you?" She asked.

"I was warned you had a death wish." He said.

"It's my life." She said.

"Yes. It is. I just don't agree with proving it to everyone by ending it." He said.

"You sound like John." She said. "Neither of you know me."

"Yeah, well, guess we both see a value in you that you seem to overlook." He said.

"Save the bullshit." She said.

"Stay close and I'll keep you safe." He said.

"Stay close? That's for your benefit, i think. You think John is coming to rescue me." She said. "See the last time I saw John I tried to kill him." She said feeling the anger and sadness wash over her. She scolded the rising emotions.

Cassian looked at her curiously, "What stopped you?" He asked.

She looked up at him. Her eyes glassy with tears, "I was out of bullets." She said.