Author's Note: Whoa. Let the games begin...

Jason Crass studied his interlocked fingers. The more Verena studied him, the more she noticed his unease and anger.

“I have a problem, Rider.”

Verena nodded her head. Crass knew her by her professional name, Carrie Rider. No particular reason for that name. Carrie Rider was an absolutely random name she had formed from two novels that she could not even remember now.

“A kid witnessed me killing Doug. She evaded us.”

Crass’ jaw tightened. Verena knew that to be bested by anybody, especially by a kid, irritated him. She knew where this was going.

Crass looked straight into Verena’s eyes, his cat-green eyes showing nothing but determination and anger.

“I want you to kill her. Shut her up. Nobody can know about Doug dying or me back in action yet.”

He leaned back onto his chair, fingering the shining pistol in his hands. It looked too small and too delicate for someone whose hands were so huge.

“Bosch has information on the kid. I want to see her personally when you get her.”

His smile was almost gleeful, lustful even. Verena just stood there, her eyes constantly on his stone-cold features.

“Then you shut her up, permanently.”

…

Bosch smirked at Verena, his shaven scalp looking like he had just waxed it. Verena just ignored him. In her view, Bosch and his partner, Edgar, had too much testosterone to do anything effectively. They had that ‘macho’ mindset and would stand out in any crowd, shaven pates reflecting the faces of passers-by.

“We found what that kid was looking for. Must have stumbled onto us by mistake. What a tragedy.”

Bosch fingered a worn red wallet, its card flap hanging out.

“Boss said that you came here to collect that kid’s stuff. How does it feel to kill her kid? Do you just crush their head?”

Verena ignored him. She just stared at the wallet.

Edgar sneered, running his hand through his thick sideburn, the only remaining hair on him.

“That’s how I would do it. But before that, I’d have some fun.”

“Save that kid for me after the boss is done.”

Verena snapped her head to them, eyes narrowed to slits.

“My job, my way. Now please, the wallet.”

Bosch and Edgar laughed again.

“Now back off and give me the wallet.”

“No, you listen…”

“No.”

Bosch’s eyes widened, having never been spoken to like that before. His fists balled up, with Edgar following suit. They advanced towards her, faces like hungry bulldogs. Verena felt threatened, but she knew better than to show it.

“If you know what’s good for you, you’d give that kid to us when you’re done.”

Verena straightened and tried to shove past them.

“Depends on Jason Crass.”

Edgar gripped Verena’s right hand and wrenched into to her back. Pain shot up her arm, making her eyes water. But she refused to even gasp. Don’t cry, don’t cry.

“We will make your life difficult. We will attack your family, Carrie Rider.”

Edgar spat out her name like it was an insult of some kind. It was a threat and Verena knew it. She glared at Edgar and snatched her hand back and grabbed the wallet.

“I hope Venetia would be better than the last one.”

Bosch licked his lips, smirking. Verena felt emotions bubble over her. Verena’s eyes widened slightly, before narrowing.

“We shall see.”

She walked out of the room, leaving Bosch and Edgar sneering at her back. When she got out of the place, sitting in her car, she broke down. What had she gotten herself and her sister into?

…

Verena sat alone in the empty house. Where was Venetia? Why wasn’t she home? Did Bosch and Edgar decide to get to her first?

It was then that she heard the chime of the doorbell.

Verena got up to open the door. She looked down. Venetia was staring at the floor, refusing to even meet her sister’s eyes. It was a good cover for being ashamed for losing her wallet. But Verena knew the real reason why Venetia was so upset. It was because she had witnessed something that her older sister would do without batting an eyelid.

“Hey Venetia, come in. You look so sad. Don’t worry, ok?”

“I… I…”

Verena hugged Venetia tightly. It pained her to know that Venetia had a death sentence over her head.

How much longer would I be able to protect my sister?

“It’s ok, baby. It’s ok.”

Venetia looked so helpless and lost. It broke Verena’s heart to see her like that. She got Venetia in. She tried to make Venetia happy at every moment. But her little sister was inconsolable. And Verena had no idea how to make her happy again.

Later that night, while Venetia slept, Verena sat on her chair, wondering what she should do. Should she tell Crass? Would he ever let Venetia go?

Verena started sobbing.

I have to protect Venetia at all costs.

There's a bit of a joke behind Bosch's and Edgar's names. Hope you enjoy it:)