“Get in,” Justice snaps.
I don’t hesitate. I run to the passenger side, let Leo jump in and move to the rear, and then throw myself inside.
Why isn’t this space under attack already?
Then I see it. Thick walls surround us that are reinforced and seamless, with no visible door. “How do you plan on getting this out of here?”
Justice drops into the driver’s seat and punches a sequence on the console. The floor dips forward, grinding open into a downward ramp.
“Holy crap,” I mutter.
The engine roars alive. He drives hard, tires screaming against polished concrete. A tunnel stretches ahead, walls tight on both sides.
We’re flying.
I shake my head. I’ve studied the schematics of Silicon Valley my entire life, hacked into servers and systems most people don’t know exist. There is no record of this tunnel. None.
What kind of power does Malice Media really have?
The tunnel veers. Justice takes a hard right, then a left. The incline shifts and we’re climbing again. A detonation slams through the passage, deafening. I twist in my seat, panic seizing my throat.
Leo barks twice. Sharp and loud.
Through the back window, fire surges forward. A roaring wall of flame, racing straight for us.
I scream.
Justice climbs farther, slams the brakes, and throws the vehicle into a hard spin to stop abruptly. I smash into the dash and bounce back.
“Get out!” he yells, grabbing my hand. He flings his door wide, drags me across his side, and yanks us both into the open to drop fast.
Leo launches out right after us, nails scraping concrete.
We land hard in a smaller garage. I hit with my knees and keep my grip on the Glock as Justice jerks me to my feet. Leo circles once, ears pricked, then bolts for the door at our side. We chase him out into the night.
Trees. Wet earth. We’re in a wooded area, nowhere I recognize.
Justice sets a punishing pace, boots driving into mud. Rain slashes down in sheets, soaking us instantly. I gasp, coughing on the cold air.
The fireball explodes behind us. The SUV, the garage, everything erupts. Metal shrieks. Shards of glass, wood, and more metal whistle through the air.
Justice barks a curse, tackles me, and drives me down behind a tree. His body covers mine as burning debris rains past. Leo growls low, teeth flashing, and crouches against us. A hubcap slams into the ground a few feet away, making him growl at it before he steadies again.
Rain pours into my eyes, blurring the ruin and beating the fire easily.
Justice looks back, jaw tight. “Nobody is coming for us through there. We’re safe but need shelter.”
I push to my feet, brushing pine needles off my jeans. His chin is split, blood mixing with water. He wipes it away, fury glittering in his eyes. That’s twice he’s thrown himself on top of me. Twice he’s taken the brunt. He must really need me alive.
I glance around. “Where are we?”
“Just follow me and move fast.” He ducks low, maneuvers under branches, and takes a trail at a brutal pace.
Leo runs close at my side, muscles bunched, his coat slick with rain. I pat his head as we push forward, needing the touch of something steady. His ears are up, his tail flicking like he knows this is life or death. He barks twice toward the wreck behind us, sharp and warning, then focuses ahead again. The dog is fine. More than fine. This is an adventure for him. His belly is full, his eyes bright, and he looks like he’s ready to fight.
I clutch the Glock tighter. I could shoot Justice. But I don’t. He saved me twice. I have no clue where we are and need him right now. Probably. More noise comes from behind us.
We walk for what feels like hours. The rain pounds us, cold and steady, and my legs ache. I’m soaked through, exhausted, and my breath comes in ragged bursts. Justice doesn’t slow, just drives forward with that relentless stride until we take another turn and—there’s a cabin.
