Tabitha appreciated Cailín acting as a buffer. It allowed her to let Major know she was on her way without worrying she was missing strange cars that could be following. The GPS alerted that she was five miles from the turn-off, and Tabitha blew out a breath. Almost there. Then her phone rang. Cailín was calling.Shit.
“Please don’t tell me we have company,” she said instead of answering with hello.
“It could be nothing, but I’m not taking any chances. There’s a blue pickup that caught up to me a few miles back. I’m going to take the exit for the falls and see if they follow me. If not, then I’ll get right back on the highway. Stay on the line.”
Tabitha checked her mirror. The truck did not take the exit with Cailín. “I’m going to keep going. I’m not taking any chances either.” The problem with small towns was that some of them were on long stretches oftwo-lane highways with few turn-offs. “When I checked the map last night, I found a super center about ten miles past the turn-off. I’ll pull in the parking lot and see what happens.”
“I’m right behind you. Well, not right behind you, but… fuck. You know what I mean.”
Tabitha chuckled at her friend, then sobered at the situation. If these men were after her, would they start shooting? She pressed the accelerator, wanting to get to the store quicker. Surely, they wouldn’t open fire in a crowded parking lot. The truck kept pace with her, but Cailín had caught up by that time. “I don’t like this.”
“Don’t worry. I’m locked and loaded. They fire on you, they’re gonna get a surprise. Fuckers.” Cailín was fearless, but that didn’t mean Tabitha wanted her to get in a shootout.
Like all the Steele Security employees, Tabitha carried a handgun, but she kept hers in the glove compartment. Her bracelets were capable of turning into any weapon, but if she ever fired her gun at someone, she would have to turn it over to the police. “Why didn’t I get my gun out of the glovebox?”
“Because you weren’t expecting trouble. Want me to shoot their tires out?” Cailín sounded too excited at the prospect.
“No. Not yet anyway. Get their license plate number just in case. Okay, here we go.” Tabitha waited until the last second to turn into the lot, tires squealing. The truck kept going with Cailín on their tail.
“Dammit, they’re taking the next entrance. Head toward the back of the building and look for an exit. I’m going to try and cut them off.” Cailín had driven her car instead of one of the bulky company SUVs, so she hadbetter maneuverability.
“No! Your car isn’t bulletproof. You get their license plate and call it in. I’ll lead them away from all these cars.”
“But I’m the one with the gun readily available. Move your ass!” Cailín yelled and laid on her horn. “Shit, Tabby, I’m cut off.”
Tabitha was almost glad for that. She didn’t want Cailín to engage. Tabitha took the back exit, but instead of turning right toward the main highway, she turned left. The GPS recalculated, but Tabitha didn’t follow the instructions. The truck caught up to her, and the driver stuck their hand out the window, pointing a gun at her SUV. When the bullet pinged her back window, Tabitha ducked, but the glass held.
“Are you hit?” Cailín asked.
“Just the back window. Cailín, call the tag number into the police. I’m headed south on Davis Street.”
“Shit. Okay.”
The line went dead, and Tabitha circled back around toward the highway. The truck caught up to her, tagging her bumper. She fishtailed before righting the large vehicle. She, like all the Goyles her age, had taken defensive and offensive driving when they were younger. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t wreck given enough pushes. Why were they trying to wreck her? If they did, she wouldn’t lead them to Craig.
No, but if they incapacitate you, they can try to get the location with force.
Shit. Her beast was right. The truck hit her again, harder this time, and the SUV’s tires skidded on the gravel of the shoulder, turning her sideways. The shooter pointed his gun at her. Instead of the bullethitting the window, he aimed for her front tire. The SUV was equipped with run flats, but he didn’t know that. The truck hit her once more, this time pushing her toward the shoulder. Tabitha unbuckled her seat belt and leaned over to grab her handgun from the glove box. She flipped the safety off as she righted herself. The SUV came to a stop with the truck still against her door. Tabitha could either climb across the seats and try to escape the other side or…
The man aimed and shot, her driver’s window protecting her. Small splinters spread across the glass, which meant they weren’t using regular bullets. What if the next one managed to break the glass? Tabitha took a deep breath, hit the power button, and aimed when it was low enough to get a shot off. The man fired again at the same time, and pain erupted across the side of her face. Jerking back, Tabitha lay across the console and waited for more bullets to come her way. When there was nothing but silence, she climbed over the passenger seat and pushed open the door, dropping to the grass. Tabitha eased her way around the SUV, looking through the back windows toward the truck. The driver was slumped over his steering wheel, unmoving.
Sirens sounded in the distance, and brakes squealed as a vehicle came to a stop behind her. Tabitha raised her gun, but Cailín yelled, “It’s me.” Cailín jumped out of her car, and when she got close enough, she raised her hand toward Tabitha’s head. Tabitha jerked back before her friend could touch her. “That’s gonna leave a mark,” Cailín muttered.
“It’s just some glass,” Tabitha assured her, even though blood was pouring down her stinging face. “You oughta see the other guy. Well, maybe not. I need to callMason. You head to the safehouse, and I’ll meet you there.”
“I’m not leaving you here by yourself. Since I called it in, I can provide support. Moral and otherwise.”
“Yeah, okay. But can you call Mason for me? I’m just going to stand here and…” Tabitha leaned against her vehicle, wincing at the pain. As a Goyle, she would heal faster than a human, but all those small cuts stung like a bitch. While Cailín did as she asked, Tabitha kept an eye on the driver, even though he wasn’t moving. Her phone rang somewhere in the SUV, but she ignored it. Then Anthony reached out through their twin bond. “Are you okay? I felt your unease.”
“Yeah. I was being followed. This case is ramping up, but I’ll call you later and tell you all about it.”There was no way she was ruining his time off with Elle by letting him know the truth.
Chapter 13
Major was waitingon the porch as a sedan appeared down the driveway. He jogged down to the passenger side, opened the door, then reached over and unhooked Tabitha’s seatbelt. He gently helped her from the car, inspecting her face. When she’d called and told him about getting shot at, he’d been ready to leave Craig’s ass alone and go to her, but she assured him she was fine. He pressed his lips to the unmarked side of her face before wrapping her in his arms. He held her close until Craig interrupted their moment.
“Is this really the time for that?”
Tabitha leaned back, but Cailín got to him before Tabitha could say anything. “Yes, it damn well is. Tabitha just got in a fucking shootout, so maybe go back inside and let her have a minute to fucking decompress.” Craig opened his mouth, closed it, and went inside. “Fuck him,” Cailín muttered.
