With both hands on the wheel, I pressed down on the accelerator. The fucker was heading right for me. Fuck. The game of chicken never ended well; however, I refused to back down, speeding up as I scanned from one side of the road to theother. There were far too many cars parked on the street. That would make whatever maneuvers I used dicey.
The opposing vehicle shifted, now only a few car lengths ahead. My brain went into CIA mode, all the training I’d received on defensive driving kicking in. I grabbed my weapon, prepared to fire when I noticed a flash coming from the other vehicle. The asshole was firing his weapon. The cracking sound as a single bullet crashed through my windshield was exaggerated, the shot barely missing. I careened to the right, fighting the inertia of the engine as I slammed on the brakes, stopping only millimeters away from a massive tree.
As the front right wheel dumped into a ditch, I threw my arm across the passenger seat, able to keep Dahlia secure. Just as soon as the car screeched to a halt, I threw open the door, jumping out and racing after the opposing vehicle. Aiming, I took a deep breath, holding it.
Then I fired a single bullet.
When the car swerved, I knew I’d hit my mark, but I watched as the driver continued going. I remained where I was until the taillights faded into the distance. Then I cursed under my breath. This was the worst possible location for this to happen, every house on the block close enough to the street that the shots had to have been heard.
I jerked out my phone as I headed toward my car, dialing Alexander. The other person involved, if Dahlia was working with someone, had to be flushed out. The only way for that to happen was to allow the fucker to think Alexander and Brogan were dead.
I’d caught a single glimpse of the man’s face. While he wasn’t anyone I recognized, that meant nothing.
I raced to the passenger side, checking for any damage. Thank God the vehicle appeared operational. “Alexander,” I barked as soon as he answered.
“Did she take the bait?” he asked, already chuckling.
“Yeah, but we have bigger problems. Whoever sent the texted threats is very interested in finishing the job. I was ambushed on the street, shots fired.”
“You still think this is personal?” he growled.
“It doesn’t matter what I think at this point. The facts are clear. Dahlia isn’t the only threat we’re facing. I need those goons of yours on Waldrop Street to grab her rental car now. The key is in the ignition. I also need you to put out something that you are very dead. Made certain it goes to every media organization.”
“You still think this girl is innocent?”
“Just do what the fuck I said. I don’t have time to argue.” I jumped into the driver’s seat, shaking my head. At least she’d slept through the attack.
“Fine. Get to the airport. We’re almost there.”
“Yeah, I’ll do that.” As soon as I tried to reverse in order to get out of the ditch, the car bucked. Damn it. This couldn’t be happening. I slammed my hand on the steering wheel before trying again, breathing a small sigh of relief as the tire jerked away from the dirt. “Who in your organization knew about this little mission?”
“What the hell are you insinuating, my friend?” Alexander barked.
“I’m telling you that someone else has been paying close attention to the possibility of our demise, ready to finish the job Dahlia started. We can’t place all our eggs in one basket. Now, can we? We have far too many enemies who’d enjoy serving up retaliation in response to the vicious actions we performed all those years ago.” I sped down the street, constantly looking in the rearview mirror.
“I don’t fucking like what you’re trying to say, but I’ll make certain my men had nothing to do with it. Just get your ass here. Wearefollowing through with our plan.”
Goddamn it, I hated the man.
I ended the call, trying to keep my anger in check. When she groaned, shifting in her seat, I threw her a quick glance as several streetlights flashed in through the windows. She was breathtakingly beautiful, her skin unblemished and her lips rosy and full. I smashed my hand on the steering wheel again.
This shit wasn’t going to end well. That much I knew.
And all I could think about was the one man who’d died believing in a pact I’d lost faith in years before.
I made a promise to myself, the very one I’d thought I’d done all those years ago.
The Wild Boys were done, dead to me, and it didn’t matter about the pact we’d made in solidarity or the pledge we’d forged in blood, I was finished.
If I had to take Alexander down in the process, that’s what I’d do.
Even if it damned me to hell.
CHAPTER 7
Brogan
I hated everything about a tropical environment. Literally everything. The humidity leaving a sticky feeling on your skin, the constant ocean waves smashing against the shoreline, interrupting every thought. Even the glorious beauty everyone had touted to me over the years meant nothing.
