Chapter34
The back doorplunged them into an alley, one that was surprisingly well kept. That had to be the Jack’s influence. Killian barreled forward, barely pausing to take in their surroundings.
Dizzie followed, grateful she’d ditched the heels. Even with them, she struggled to keep up with his longer legs.
He tightened his grip on her hand, practically dragging her with him. “Keep up!”
Her shoulder protested, but she didn’t want to waste her breath arguing. Instead, she dug deeper and found more speed. “Where are we going?”
“The Jack said the car was waiting at the end of the block.” He pointed ahead.
“What about the bike?” In her opinion, the motorcycle offered more flexibility, more maneuverability than a car would.
“What bike?” Killian glanced over his shoulder, but didn’t stop moving.
Her breath heaved in and out. This pace was going to kill her. “Yours,” she said. She couldn’t keep up this conversation while running. Dizzie dug her heels in and pulled her hand free.
It took Killian a couple of steps to realize that she wasn’t with him.
She placed her hands on her knees and sucked in air until he came back. “It’s on the other side of the block.” The alley might look prettier, but the air still smelled bad. Still, a girl had to breathe.
“You abandoned it?”
At his accusing tone, Dizzie straightened and put her hands on her hips. What kind of person did he think she was? “It’s in a storage locker. Untraceable credit chip,” she added, before he insulted her further.
“Oh. Good.” His relief was tangible. “We can come back for it later.” He nodded toward the end of the alley. “The car’s that way.”
He wasn’t getting it. “What if they’re tracking your car?”
He shrugged. “It’s possible, but unlikely. Portia probably has them checking all the bars. Let’s go.”
“Sure, no one’s going to notice an expensive vehicle in this part of town.” She rolled her eyes. “Seriously, though, a bike gives us more options. Weaving in and out of alleys instead of running through them.”
Grimly, Killian looked around.
She hadn’t convinced him yet. They had to make a decision fast—she didn’t know how long the Jack could hold Tremaine Security off. Sooner or later, security would come through that back door. They weren’t far enough away. “Would anyone expect us to take the bike?”
He shook his head. “Probably not. I haven’t been out on one in forever.” His gaze skewered her. “You’re the only one who’s been seen on it.”
Shit. She’d forgotten about the newsies. Still, people rode motorcycles all over the city. “I think it’s worth the risk for the greater flexibility. And we might have a better chance of blending in.”
Believing bone-deep that it was a better choice than the car, Dizzie turned and walked back the way they had come, toward where she’d stowed the bike.
Killian didn’t immediately follow.
Shit. That wasn’t good.
Finally, footsteps echoed behind her. Relief flooded through her and she released her breath on a slow exhale. He hadn’t abandoned her.
“Fine. You win.”
She didn’t turn around. “It’s not about winning. It’s about getting the fuck away from Tremaine Security.”
No response. Fine, let him have his tantrum.
They reached the end of the alley and Dizzie pointed in the opposite direction of the bar. “The lockers are around that corner.”
“I don’t like being out in the open. Security’s probably looking for us.” Killian’s voice was as tense as his body.
