A thought snakes into my brain that this whole thing is happening because of me. Because I chose to let Erik go. I chose to be selfish and be with Gianna again. She wouldn’t be a hostage in the back of his car right now if I’d just stayed focused and killed the bastard. But I tamp the thought down, because Gianna needs me and the only thing that matters now is getting her back in my arms.
I won’t leave her.
As soon as Erik saw us, he sped out of the parking lot, through the town centre and past the old speedway, hurtling down the bridge toward Empire City. The back of my headhits the headrest as I charge across the bridge after Erik, with Renny and Tyler following me in their vehicles.
I’m locked on the tail-lights of Erik’s Civic as I follow him through Empire City. I don’t care what it takes or how long I need to follow him for. That fucker is going to die tonight.
Reaching for my phone, I dial Renny and Tyler on speaker. They answer on the first ring.
‘We need to box him in and get Gianna out,’ I snap.
‘Why don’t we ram his ass?’ Tyler asks.
‘No. We can’t risk it with Gianna in the car.’
Swerving through traffic, we follow Erik as he charges through red lights. We pass houses, businesses and crowded streets as we blow past in the middle of the night. I don’t care if any of them are calling the cops, or hell, if they are the cops. I’m not stopping until my girl is safe.
We whizz past the ECU campus, and Erik takes a winding road behind it that follows the coast and slowly slopes upward. I punch the gas and charge up the hill. I can see the distant cliff to the left, looming above the drop to relentless waves.
Signs for Black Point appear and I press my foot on the accelerator, Renny and Tyler still in tow. In front of me, Erik increases his speed, going straight up the road toward the point.
‘Where’s this puta going?’ Renny bellows. ‘Black Point is the only thing up here.’
Tyler cuts in, ‘It’s a single road. We can circle around and cut him off at the other end.’
Tyler’s right, but then the Civic pulls sharply to the left before regaining control. I frown, wondering what the hell Erik’s planning. Then I realise why he keeps veering left.On the same side, illuminated in my headlights, the back left tyre is sagging as it rotates against the ground, losing pressure because … it’s missing its air caps.
Nice work, Little Suspect.
The Civic slows down, only slightly, but enough to give me an idea.
I take a hard left turn. Black Point is up this winding road, but I know of a shortcut – a beaten track with crater-like potholes, something only the truck can handle. ‘Keep on Erik’s ass. He’s losing tyre pressure and can’t go fast or far. I’ll beat him up there and stop him at the peak.’
The track winds in sharp bends. The tyres skid beneath me but I don’t let up. I use the gravel for traction as I move further up the hill. At the top of Black Point, I’m met with darkness.
I beat him.
My tyres bump over the rocks beneath before I come to a skidding halt. Through the silence of the night, I can hear his engine approaching.
Come on.
Headlights shine through the trees. This is it.
The Civic comes into view. Renny and Tyler are a second behind him.
Erik careens around the corner and I hit the gas, emerging from the sidelines. Erik almost hits my truck, but swerves left at the last moment just as I planned. The flat tyre on the rear of the vehicle gives out, sending him into a spin.
Gianna. No.
Dust clouds form as the Honda groans to a stop dangerously close to the cliff’s edge. I fly out of my vehicle and rush to the Civic’s door, opening it to see Gianna in the passenger seat. Fire rips through my flesh. She’s tied up, with red marks on her temple and bruises on her arms.
Pulling my switchblade from my back pocket, I flick it open and cut the ties around her wrists.
Giana’s eyes meet mine, blinking before going wide.
‘Ryker!’ she screams.
I’m tackled to the ground. The knife leaves my hands as Erik straddles me, landing a solid blow to the side of my face before he springs up and runs off down the hill.
