Gretchen fastens her seatbelt."You're going to ram them, aren't you?"
"Aye.Physics works in our favor.My SUV outweighs their cars."
"Hold on to yer erses," Archie says while clutching his laptop."Glad I came along, though.Cannae believe I almost stayed home with my computers instead."
I tighten my grip on the wheel, nearly strangling it."Are we ready?"
"Done," Archie confirms as he snaps his laptop shut."Cameras are looped.They'll see nothing but an empty garage for the next five minutes."
I glance at Gretchen, who nods firmly.
"Brace yourselves," I warn, then slam my foot on the accelerator.
The SUV lurches forward with a mighty roar.I aim for the gap between the two four-door contraptions at a speed that makes the tires squeal on the concrete floor.The SUV's engine growls hungrily as we barrel toward our target.
"Whoo-hoo!"Archie shouts, bracing himself against the door while grinning.
I focus on the narrow gap between the vehicles, calculating angles and momentum like I would for any risky stunt.The difference is, this isn't rehearsed, and these aren't stunt vehicles.The first impact slams into us with a sickening crunch of metal.I hit the left sedan at its rear quarter panel, sending it spinning away.The SUV shudders but plows forward, the momentum carrying us through as I wrench the wheel to avoid the second car's broadside.
"Incoming!"Gretchen shouts, pointing to a figure emerging from the shadows who has a pistol raised at us.
I swerve hard right, using the remaining car as a shield.The bullet pings harmlessly off metal as we careen toward the exit.
"Keep yer head down!"I bark at Gretchen, who's already ducking low in her seat."You too, Archie!"
My world narrows to the garage door ahead, still frustratingly shut.I've got two options: find an opener, or make our own bloody exit."Archie!Can ye hack the door controls?"
"On it!"His fingers are already clacking on the keyboard again, even as he's thrown to and fro by my hairpin turns."Just need thirty seconds, boss!"
"We dinnae have thirty seconds," I growl, spotting more movement in my rearview mirror.At least three armed men are emerging from a side entrance.
Gretchen's eyes meet mine, wide but clear."Ram it, Kirk."
"That's my lass."I floor the accelerator again.The SUV leaps forward like a charging bull.The SUV rips through the garage door like it's made of cardboard, and a metallic screech deafens us as we burst into the open air.Sparks fly across the hood, and the front end crumples, but we're through at last.
"Holy shite!"Archie yelps from the backseat."That was better than any stunt I've ever seen ye do on film!"
My only response is a grunt.But now I need to focus on the road ahead.We've broken free of the garage, but that doesn't mean we're safe.Far from it.The road stretches before us, winding its way down from the industrial complex toward the main highway.It's our best chance at losing whoever these armed bastards are.
Dougal's men, that's all we know.
"How are ye feeling, lass?"I ask Gretchen, sparing her a quick glance while keeping most of my attention on the road.
She's breathing hard, but her eyes are bright with exhilaration rather than fear, and a wide smile stretches her lips."Never better, cowboy.That was...unbelievably hot.You're a rock star, Kirk Balfour!"
"Dinnae celebrate yet."I check the rearview mirror.Two black sedans have burst through the mangled garage door behind us, their headlights almost blinding us.They must be LED lights."We've got company."
The road ahead twists down the hillside in a series of tight switchbacks.That's a nightmare for most drivers, but for me?It's home turf.I've trained on roads far worse than this and performed stunts that would make these curves feel like a kiddie ride.
"Hold tight," I tell Gretchen and Archie, downshifting to take the first bend at a speed that has Archie cursing colorfully in Gaelic.
"Mhac na galla!"the laddie exclaims, looking a touch pale."Are ye trying to kill us before we even get shot?Slow down!"
"Trust me, Archie.If ye want to keep your head attached to yer shoulders, fast is exactly what we need."I take another hairpin turn, feeling the tires grip and then slip slightly as I push the vehicle to its limits.The SUV leans hard, but I've calculated the physics down to the last detail.
"They're gaining!"Gretchen calls out, twisted in her seat to look through the rear window.
I check the mirror again.She's right.One of the sedans is closing the gap, its driver clearly no amateur.Time to show these bastards what a real stunt driver can do.
