I shove the keys in my pocket, then place both hands on the gun. Elena grabs my shirt, and we all move swiftly through the house. “Get farther back.”
We reach the back door. I open it an inch and peek out. When I see no one, I push it open farther and slowly walk outside, scanning every inch of the backyard.
“It’s clear.”
My heart pounds. Rage will be here any moment, so when Elena and Conan meet me, I rush to the side of the clubhouse. I draw my gun as I check again, but like Reaper said, he would be forcing them away from us. The gunshots sound farther away than they did before.
I turn to Elena and pull the keys out of my pocket. “The truck is there. Run with me!” I press the fob and the lights of the truck flash, then we sprint toward it. “Get in!” I open the back door for Conan.
He jumps up with no hesitation. I shut the door and jump in the front seat, place the gun in the center console, then put the key in the ignition.
Elena puts her seatbelt on. She stares ahead with big eyes. I put the car in drive and take off. When we leave down the driveway, I look in the rearview mirror to see Rage with his arms up in the air. I frown, but I’m convinced I made the right decision. I floor the gas pedal, and more dirt kicks up behind us.
Elena’s phone rings. She pulls it out of her pocket. I glance to see Axle’s name on the screen. She brings it to her ear. “Hey, I’m with Ava. We drove away. How long are you going to be?” With frantic breaths, she pauses, listening to his response. “Yes, we are okay. Thirty minutes? Please hurry. They need you. Be safe. I love you, too.”
We travel the dirt road, driving past the warehouse. “Thirty minutes seems so long.”
I don’t get to hear her answer because a car comes from the right, crashing into us with athwackand the tearing of metal on metal.
FOURTEEN
I’D DIE FOR YOU
Ava
I slowly blink a few times. My body is heavy. I’m hunched over in my seat. My head’s throbbing, with a warm trickle of liquid oozing down my face. I touch my head and peek down at my hand to see bright-red blood.
My head turns. “Elena.”
My voice comes out, but it’s barely audible. She’s leaning off to the side closest to me with her hair covering her face. “Elena,” I say, panicked. I grab her shoulder and shake it. She doesn’t answer and my heart skyrockets. Tears burn my eyes. A whine in the backseat makes me think Conan is alive... for now.
I undo my seatbelt. When I turn to Elena’s side, I lean over to check her pulse and hear a car door shut. I turn my head and suddenly I can’t breathe. I frantically search for the gun or Elena’s phone. I scan under my legs, then over to Elena’s. The gun is by her foot.
As I lean down my door opens. Beau stands next to me, staring with wild eyes. “Get out of the car,” he says in a feral snarl.
I don’t answer straight away, considering my options. Rage or Reaper could be here any moment now. Conan’s growl rumbles from the back, making me wonder if he can move.
“NO!” I scream back at Beau.
His eyes widen, his stare hardening. He reaches for me, but I shove him away. He keeps trying, but so do I. I shove, slap, then I turn my leg and try to kick him away while Conan barks. Beau’s arm goes to his waist and he pulls out a gun. I gasp.
I slowly put my hands up in surrender. “Okay... I’m getting out.”
I turn and put both feet on the ground, my legs shaking as I stand. My head spins, but I keep myself upright.
Conan’s deep, constant barks make Beau turn and aim his gun at the back seat. I leap, taking two steps over to stand in front of the back door, in front of Conan.
Beau glares. “You’d protect a dog but make an idiot out of me?”
His breathing is heavy, his eyes showcasing dark circles.
“Ava,” I hear softly from the front seat.
“Take me,” I blurt out to Beau, not wanting to draw any attention to Elena. “You came here for me. Now what?”
His head cocks an inch to the side. “We’re going for a drive.” He grabs the top of my arm, his grip painful. I don’t fight. I want Elena and Conan safe. “Where are we driving to?” I ask loudly, hoping Elena can hear.
He mumbles to himself as we walk to his car but then stops, and as soon as I see that hostile look in his eyes, I know what’s coming because I’d seen it once before.
