“It’s risky,” he said. “Our timing would have to be perfect. We can probably make it to the other side if we keep going.”
“We can’t risk others getting hurt,” I said. Already, our maneuvering had caused several accidents. “Are you in or out?”
There was a beat of silence.
“In.”
“Stay with me.”
“I will.”
The truck lunged, shoving me toward the rail again. I fought the wheel, my jaw locked. The rail screeched along the passenger side of the SUV, metal against metal, and I winced.
These idiots didn’t need to kill me. If my mate saw his SUV afterward, he was going to do it for them.
“Get ready,” I told Matteo, slowing a little. “NOW!”
I slammed on the brakes. My tires screamed as they skidded. My seatbelt locked hard against my chest, stealing my breath.
Matteo punched the gas and hit the truck square at the driver’s door. Metal shrieked as the truck hit the rail, then tipped, vanishing over the side and smashing into the water below.
Matteo skidded to a stop inches from the rail.
I sat there, breathing hard, trying unsuccessfully to pry my fingers off the steering wheel, but they wouldn’t budge.
“You alive?” I said.
He was breathing hard too. “Yep.”
After finally succeeding at unclenching my hands, I stared at them. They were bone white and shaking. I’d never been in a more terrifying situation in my life, and that was coming from a woman who’d been in combat.
“Thanks for the assist.”
He sighed. I could tell he was coming down from the adrenaline surge too. “You’re welcome. Alpha is going to kill me. I am officially an extinct species.”
It wasn’t funny. Not really. But I laughed anyway. My laugh was sharp and shaky, the sound of someone who’d just survived something they probably shouldn’t have and was just grateful to be alive.
Sirens wailed as law enforcement finally broke through and raced toward us.
“Let’s deal with the cops first,” I said. “Hopefully we can sort this out quickly, because we have a helicopter to catch. We’ll worry about Riggs murdering us afterward.”
Matteo scoffed. “You’re fine. He doesn’t care about the SUV, Piper. His priority will always be your safety.”
Well, a woman could hope.
After dealing with law enforcement,we made our way as quickly as possible to the Portland airport. We didn’t speak much as we cleared security. After I got my shoes back on and grabbed the rest of my stuff off the conveyor, Matteo and I met my contact by gate twelve.
I hadn’t seen Tamaro in years, and the years had been good to him. I offered my hand, but he laughed and shook his head, pulling me into a hug. He dwarfed me in size but still had a baby face, which had been what everyone called him in MI.
“Captain, your call was a surprise but welcome,” he said, his green eyes boring into mine. I’d only told him the barest details. He was a shifter as well, but he was a panther, so he knew where we were going.
His hands lingered on my shoulders as he studied me. I felt Matteo bristle behind me and stepped back, giving Tamaro an easy smile. “Matteo, this is Tamaro, a buddy from the Army. Tamaro, Matteo. A friend of mine.”
The two men nodded at each other, wary and measured.
Universal male communication at its finest.
I turned back to Tamaro. “We don’t have much time. We got attacked on the bridge into town. They’re probably right behind us.”
