If she ran, Yavuz would shoot her in the back and take off. When Nate finally did make his way into the garage, he’d find her lying on the ground. Dead.
No way could she do that to him. Nor, would she give up that easily.
Gracie reached for the door handle.
Slick with blood, her fingers slipped on the first try. Fearful he’d shoot her again if she took much longer, she got the best grip she could and tried again.
The door opened that time and Gracie slid into the passenger seat.Feeling a bit lightheaded she shook her head to clear it. She had to stay focused if she had any chance of making it out of this alive.
Now that she was seated and actually had time to think, her adrenaline rush was beginning to subside and pain unlike any she’d ever known began to burn through her arm.
She inspected the wound as best she could, thankful the bullet only grazed her. But, holy shit, it hurt.
The car tilted to her left as Yavuz sat down in the driver’s seat. He quickly closed his door and pushed the button to start the car’s engine.
Shifting into reverse, the monster shot the car backward. Tires squealed and Gracie was thrown back against the headrest as he threw it in drive and sped toward the ramp.
Just then, Gracie thought she heard someone yelling at them, again. Believing it to be wishful thinking, she ignored it. It was a waste of time to daydream, and she was definitely short on time.
She heard it again.
Blinking against the slight dizziness, she spun around in her seat, unable to believe what she saw.
Nate was running toward her as fast as he could with Matt following closely behind. They’d somehow managed to get past Yavuz’ secure door and now Nate was chasing after her as if his life depended on it.
Her heart swelled to the point she thought it would burst. Gracie hated knowing he was risking his life for her again, but at the same time, she fell in love with him even more because of it.
She tried opening the door, ready to jump out, but it remained closed.
“Child locks,” Yavuz smirked beside her.
Damn. She was trapped.
Desperate to get as close to him as she could, Gracie clawed her way to the back seat and pressed the palm of her good hand against the back windshield’s cool glass.
She knew the minute he saw her. His steps faltered, but only for a fraction of a second. He sped up then, clearly determined to catch up to her, even though Gracie knew it was an impossible feat.
The blood on her hand smeared across the clear surface, but all Gracie saw was Nate. She could tell he was favoring his right arm, and she hated herself once again for being the cause of his pain.
She screamed his name as loudly as she could. Again and again, she called for him, but it was no use.
Yavuz had picked up speed and daylight filled the car as they exited the garage. Dust and gravel spewed out from the tires as they went from the smooth surface onto a dirt road leading away from the tunnel.
Looking up, Gracie realized they’d come much farther from the house than she’d originally thought.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Zade, Gabe, and a man she’d never seen before came running across the grass toward them. They were carrying very large guns, the one she didn’t recognize halting his forward progress in order to get a good shot.
Yavuz saw this, too, and lowered his window. He stuck his pistol out the open space and fired wildly, splitting his attention between the road in front of them and the deadly threats to their side.
The stranger returned fire.
Glass from the driver’s side mirror shattered when one of the bullets slammed into it. Gracie screamed and ducked.
The shooting stopped, then. Through the back window she watched Nate running with all his might, still trying to catch up to them. But even from a distance, she could see the anger and fear in his eyes as he realized what she already knew.
It was too late. There was no way for him and the other men to catch up to her. And once Yavuz was far enough away, he’d kill her.
The thought of just sitting and waiting for this heartless beast to ruthlessly execute her—especially when she still had no idea why—angered Gracie beyond description. But what could she do?
