“Just remember if something goes down, I have precious cargo on board.”
“Don’t worry, boss. We’ll take care of Ms. Samuels and Indiana. Incidentally, I adore the dog.”
I shot him a look before throwing open the driver’s door, sliding inside. Now he adored the pup. Brave man.
“What’s wrong?” Josette asked almost immediately.
“Why would anything be wrong, my beautiful little liar?”
“Stop calling me something so horrible. Just like you won’t accept any disrespect or disobedience from me, well, guess what? It goes both ways. And the reason I know is because your jaw is clenched. A telltale sign of your rage. You’re consumed by it. Just so you know.” She spit out the words laced with fire. But there was a mischievous smile still dancing across her face.
If any of my men had talked to me the way she just had, at minimum they would have been backhanded against a wall. With her? I felt like a son of a bitch. “You’re right, Josette. I stand corrected and admonished. From now on, you’re simply a wildcat.”
She snorted as if this was just one big game. There was no way for her to know if it was, the game was very dangerous.
And about to get worse.
Her defiance had once again reared its beautiful head. I started the engine with a smile on my face. As I shifted the gear, I adjusted the rearview mirror so I wouldn’t miss the bikers’ approach.
My gut told me that’s exactly what we were facing.
Not wanting to alarm her, I did nothing unusual but continue to check the mirrors. There were at least eight of them, trailing behind yet keeping a solid distance.
They were likely hoping that once I left the city, they could jump us in a residential area. They wouldn’t dare try the interstate. While there was a chance I could outrun them, it wasn’t possible in this traffic.
And not with Josette and Indiana on board.
When it became apparent that they were following us, I unfastened my jacket. “I need you to listen to me. I’m taking a detour. Whatever happens, stay inside this car. Lock the doors if I step away. Do you understand?”
“What’s going on?” she asked, immediately sensing something. She first glanced out the side mirror before twisting in her seat to try to look behind us. I’d already altered course, heading for the abandoned canal.
“Remember those bad men I was telling you about?”
“Yeah, even though you didn’t tell me who they were.”
The bastards just figured out I wasn’t heading home, inching closer. “Mexican Cartel. Do you know the bikers who own the gun shop near your place?”
“A little. A couple come in for coffee from time to time. They think they’re bad-asses but they don’t bother me, so I don’t bother them.”
“Like the man with the gun?”
“I told you,” she hissed through gritted teeth, “I’ve never seen him before. What do they want?”
“To kill me. Maybe more.”
When I glanced over, her expression indicated she was beginning to comprehend I hadn’t simply taken her against her will to be the very asshole she accused me of being.
“Indiana.” Without thinking, she reached over, her hand gripping my knee. The rush of desire was cut short by the flash of headlights in the rearview mirror.
“If you do as I say and don’t try and escape or be a hero, you’ll both be fine. The body of the Charger has been reinforced with steel. It’s as close to being bulletproof as possible. The glass is three times thicker than normal. Hunker down with Indiana. Promise me you’ll do as I say.”
She nodded. “Yes, I will. This is crazy. Why are they chasing us?” When she realized she’d gripped my leg, she immediately jerked her hand free. With a flash of light coming from several businesses, I could see the sustained fear on her face.
“Because that’s what they’ve been instructed to do.” I didn’t add that they wouldn’t stop until I took my last breath.
The Las Riveras bikers had been made aware of my outing. Which meant they also knew I had a guest with me. A weakness.
They’d use that to my disadvantage.
