Then a shout tore through the night.
From the direction of the van.
Andi’s stomach dropped.
What was happening over there? Were her friends okay?
The distraction was all Duke needed.
He launched and drove his shoulder into Jack’s chest. He took them both down hard, the impact jarring through his bones.
Sand exploded around them as they hit the ground. Jack grunted as Duke rolled with him and pinned one of his arms.
The gun flashed in the dark.
Duke grabbed for it, his fingers scraping metal.
Jack fought back, strength sharp with panic.
The weapon jerked between them.
Duke twisted Jack’s wrist until something popped.
The gun fell to the ground.
Duke kicked it away and drove his knee into Jack’s back, grinding him into the sand.
Jack thrashed once, twice. Then Duke wrenched his arms behind him and locked them down.
Jack sagged beneath him, breath coming fast, uneven.
Duke didn’t loosen his grip.
Instead, he lifted his head and his gaze found Andi in the dark. “Go. Check on them.”
She hesitated. Just a beat. Then she turned and ran.
Duke dragged Jack upright, forcing him to his knees.
His pulse still hammered, his muscles coiled, ready in case this wasn’t done.
Then sirens cut through the desert, growing louder, closer.
Relief edged into Duke’s chest.
The police were closing in.
He closed his eyes for half a second and sent a prayer into the dark.
Please don’t let them be too late.
CHAPTER
SIXTY-EIGHT
The van cameinto Andi’s view too slowly.
Every step felt wrong, stretched thin by dread. Her mind filled the distance with images she didn’t want to envision, scenes she couldn’t stop.
