The surge of fury in Xavier’s eyes is contagious to say the least.
“Five years, right?” I nod my head, holding his gaze, “We won’t let him getaway. We’re killing this bastard today.”
He nods grimly and I turn away, “Now try to get a hold of the team. Can you drive a truck?”
“I’ll learn quickly,” he huffs.
That's the spirit.
The comms are down.
So are the phone lines. There’s no way to contact Tobias… or Reuben.
Were they all hit the same way?
Anxiety is pooling in the base of my stomach.
If anyone else had gotten run over like that… they would’ve died.
In my mind, suddenly, it’s Reuben’s face I see—his bones mangled and his body crushed beneath the weight of the truck. It’s Gabriel’s and Tobias’ faces, torn up by glass as they rest their heads against a broken car window. Eyes open. Lifeless.
Their bodies are cold to the touch.
Just like the Adler Squad.
My knee is bouncing fiercely. Terror and dread and worry are rushing blood to my ears, screaming my thoughts into loud caverns where I can’t hear myself think.
And this time, Reuben’s not here to squeeze my hand.
He’s not here to look me in the eyes and tell me he’s okay, and everything will be alright.
We’d successfully hijacked the truck and resumed our chase after Philip and Evie. But Philip would’ve had ample time to pull off onto any of the intersections.
“The harbour is the only place he could’ve gone to try and escape.” Xavier’s voice is a hammer to all the chaotic thoughts—splintering them apart into quieter fragments as I zone back into the present.
“It’s close by.” His expression is dark, his grip on the wheel so tight, his knuckles are turning white. “If he escapes there, we won’t be able to follow him.”
Meaning if he escapes there, Evie will die.
“The harbour it is then.” My voice is steady, but beneath it, something trembles. A fragile illusion, stretched thin over the chaos beneath my skin.
The only thing I can do is stay focused. Focus on Evie. Assume everyone else is safe.
Evie is the only one who can’t protect herself.
Still, it doesn’t stop the wild bouncing of my leg.
It doesn’t stop the hammering of my heart in my chest.
Xavier and I are both too consumed by our thoughts to say anything more. The chase is silent, but words are screaming between us. Panic. Worry. Dread. All possibilities we refuse to put into words.
The harbour Xavier pointed out is perched on the shores of an inlet—a vast river that flows south—and I know it will inevitably meet up with the sea. Know that that’s where Philip will escape to if we don’t find themsoon.
We park the truck at the side of the road before jumping out, armed with enough weapons to take down a cavalry.
“Split up,” Xavier orders sharply. “If you find them, scream for me.”
I nod once before we’re both taking off in opposite directions.
