“Test, test,” he says again. “Come in, Charlie Blue.”
“Copy,” Jett responds. “You have such a lovely speaking voice, Falcon One.”
“Can it,” Juice responds.
“Just wanted to make you feel loved.”
“Stay the course,” he says seriously.
“I don’t think you could divert Alpha Green if you launched a missile.”
“Roger,” Juice repeats, some amusement in his voice.
Jett and I cover ground quickly, keeping to the strict timeline and markers. We’re two hundred yards out when Juice chatters in my ear. “Alpha Green we have movement on the south side, over.”
“Identify, over?”
“Switching to satellite.”
Seconds tick.
“Shit. It’s Ellie. She made a break for it,” Juice informs me.
“What?” Jett and I both pick up the pace.
“She’s heading straight for you. Man, she’s quick.”
I can’t help but smirk as I push my body to the max, flying through the woods.
“There’s someone tailing her. Coming up fast.” The hiss of the walkie-talkie echoes in my ear.
“HSWAT, we are a go,” he yells. “Push the panic button.”
“Shit. Shit.” I run faster, branches catching me in the face and whipping my arms.
Moments later, we hear a blast as the car bomb is detonated.
“Check in, Falcon One,” I huff.
Silence.
“Juice!”
“Motherfucker, he caught her.” My chest explodes. “They’re fighting. Damn, your girl has one hell of a right hook.”
“Don’t I know it.” I can still feel the sting from when she hit me outside Mansion.
I see a clearing, the perimeter of the property. I burst through the trees onto a manicured lawn with Jett by my side. It’s nearly dark, only a sliver of light left. I break out into full-blown sprint as my lungs burn and my leg muscles tear.
“Oh, man.” It sounds like Juice winces.
“What!”
“He’s beating her. Kill that cocksucker, Kayne.”
“With immense pleasure,” I pant.
Just as the last shreds of light disappear, Ellie comes into view.
