‘Yo.’ Renny’s voice comes from a small office space. ‘Look at this.’
Tyler and I follow to see Renny staring at a floor-to-ceiling blackboard. It takes a second to register what’s written in white chalk.
A list of cars. It’s extensive. Rows and rows of classic cars, listed with their locations. I scan through it. The Viper, Indy Pace and Porsche have strikes through them.
Landon is marking off the cars he’s stolen.
It’s the entry at the bottom that really snares my attention. I take slow steps up to the scratchy words, not disturbing the quiet, and flick the board with my finger.
’67 Mustang – Booker Bay
Next to it, a list of more locations:
Fernando Garage,home on south side,Vet,Lucifer’s Dream
That fucker. He’s after my girl.
I know I’m here to get revenge, to keep my promise … but this is too big to ignore. Landon was supposed to be a pawn. Just another lackey. Another Alexander. But now … if he wasn’t already wearing a target on his back, he sure as shit has one now.Hewill have to wait.
I tap the board, feeling its hollow reverberation. ‘Looks like Landon’s going to try and make the boost when the Mustang is either at Gianna’s home, or at Lucifer’s Dream. He knows the garage is too locked-tight and the vet …’ My mind races, remembering how the mask was left at the vet clinic’s doorstep and how the fucker angrily shook at the doors. ‘There was already an attempt at the vet.’
Tyler moves to the desk, shuffling through papers and opening the drawers. He opens the last one, and his face instantly pales as he pulls out a silver mask.
I approach and take the mask from Tyler’s fingers, feeling its cold material against my skin. It’s another replica of the one Gianna made four years ago. I run my fingers over the stitched mouthpiece and think about all the parts of me that have been sewn shut, yet still easily torn open … and it gives me an idea. Because this fucker wants to play, and what am I if not a good sport?
‘Alright. Nothing changes, we get Landon then we’re another step closer.’ Peeling my gaze away from the chrome, I glance at Renny and Tyler. ‘I’ll keep watch at Gianna’s house, which leaves us with one place left – Lucifer’s Dream. You guys still got your masks?’
When they nod, a thrill thrums through me.
But then the tinkling of metal chimes in the air.
I jolt, my body stiffening at the noise outside. A metallic jingle before metal is scraped against concrete, the front fence. I flash the guys a look. ‘Stay down.’
Renny and Tyler watch as I move to the grime-covered window next to the wooden door, peering outside. The chain-link fence is now wide open, and standing right in the centre of the lot is an ominous figure, hat drawn low. They face the window. Like they want me to know I can see them.
It’s that fucking person from Paws on the Coast. The one with the trench coat.
I need to know who it is. More than that, I want to beat them senseless for scaring my girl back at the clinic. Then it dawns on me … it must behim.Who the fuck else could it be? Seeing them at the clinic and now here … it’s too much of a coincidence otherwise.
I use every scrap of strength I have to tear the front door open. The chain pulls taut, but the space opens up enoughfor me to force my way through. I break free, but the figure turns and bolts into the night. Long legs fly in a blur, trench coat flapping at their ankles. I reach for it, gripping the fabric, but it tears.
‘Ryker!’ Renny or Tyler calls out from behind me, though I can’t be sure who, because I’m pouring everything I have into hunting this fucker.
I close in on them, one ground-eating stride at a time. I pump my legs faster and faster until—
They take a turn toward a warehouse and climb over a wire fence more than twice my height and land on the other side with skills straight out of an action movie. Then they keep running and disappear.
Fuck.
Snarling, I throw the material of the coat onto the ground. Renny and Tyler finally appear behind me, their breaths puffing white clouds. My own come fast, because so many damn questions are running through my mind.
Is it him? Could it really be Erik?
Have I been thinking I’m a step ahead, but really, he’s been right behind me?
Am I the one being hunted?
Chapter 21
