“What the hell is going on?”
“Corruption. This might be a little dicey, but we’ll be just fine.”
“Don’t worry. I trust you.”
Trust.
She slid down in her seat, cradling her daughter as I rolled away from the curb and toward the interstate. The best way to get to Jupiter was taking the interstate, but instead of getting on it directly, the entrance ramp less than a mile away, I decided to roll the dice to see what we were dealing with. It was best to lose the tail ahead of time.
“Who are they? The people following us?” she asked.
“No doubt people working with Delgado and Mr. Jones.”
“They aren’t going to stop. Are they?”
I glanced into the rearview mirror. “Trust me, babe. They’re going to stop. Why don’t you enjoy listening to something while I weave our way out of the city.”
A few seconds later, I noticed Gabriel’s car in the rearview mirror. I also noticed the two SUVs although they were trying to keep a distance.
As she started to listen to the recording, she laughed. “You are not bad being a tough guy. Maybe you’re in the wrong profession.”
“A little roughing up never hurt anyone.”
“Mmm… You can hear the fear in his voice.”
“Can you now?” I made a turn, keeping a close eye. And another. There was no doubt we were being followed.
“You just buried your career, Jimmy boy. And as far as that woman. That woman could run rings around you with her eyes closed and her arms tied behind her back. That woman is intelligent, articulate, incredibly kind, and extremely brave. As opposed to you, a man who decided to toss aside his morals for a chance at fame and glory. If you want to come at me with your bullshit and lies, that’s fine, but stay away from Valentina Sciascia. She’s far too damn good for a worthless son of a bitch like you. I’ll see you in court.”
The sound of my voice, the angry tone and insistence in my voice caught me. I’d forgotten what I’d said to the son of a bitch.
Well, shit.
When the recording ended, she said nothing for a little while. “Is that the way you really feel?”
“What if I do?”
“Then I’d say I just might need to keep you around for a little longer.” She slipped the phone into my hand. Another electric connection. Another desire to keep her safe.
The SUVs were gaining on us. Now was the time to make a play. “You need to listen very carefully, my darling strong woman. I’m going to make a few fast turns. Lie down and stay that way.”
Phone in hand, I dialed Gabriel. “Hey. Follow my lead but try and get next to me so you can cut them off.”
“That I can handle. Although you might need to offer me a new paint job depending on how close I get.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
I continuously glanced into the rearview and side mirrors as I moved to a less busy area. The assholes were trying to make their move.
Gabriel obviously knew exactly what I had planned. His beautiful black Maserati rolled ahead of the two SUVs. With a single head nod, we put the plan into motion.
Maybe all our conversations over the years had made us sympatico in thinking. We both floored it, but I pushed ahead, waiting carefully and keeping a close eye on the other two drivers.
As expected, Gabriel managed to cut one off, narrowly avoiding an accident.
The other vehicle? Well, that was my baby. I swerved once, twice and the bastard was forced into a line of trash cans on the side of the street. The hard hit made him lose control and he rolled across the street, slamming into a tree.
I pulled into a parking lot, jerking to a halt. “Keep the doors locked and the keys are in the ignition. Roll if anyone heads in your direction.”
