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“Copy.”

Madison looks at me.

“What are they going to do?”

“Make sure nobody follows us.”

Ahead, the bikes shift positions.

Striker and Vex accelerate toward the junction while the others tighten around the rear of our SUV.

We reach the bridge.

Grim signals.

I take the side road.

In my mirror, the brothers spread across the approach to the turnoff, forcing the dark SUV to slow while I disappear down the side road.

The driver looks for a way around.

There isn't one.

By the time the brothers clear the junction, I'm already disappearing between the trees.

“Tail's still on the main road,” Vex reports. “We've got eyes on him.”

“Keep your distance,” Grim orders. “Nobody does anything stupid.”

“That's a tall order for Striker,” Vex replies.

“Fuck you,” Striker says.

I hear Grim sigh.

Madison looks at me.

“Are they always like this?”

“Worse, usually.”

She laughs, but I can hear the nerves beneath it.

I keep my eyes on the road until we're well clear of the junction, Vex confirms nobody's behind us, and the safe house is only a few miles away.

Then Madison reaches across the console and takes my hand.

I glance at her.

“Thought you didn't trust me.”

“I don't,” she says. “Not entirely.”

Her fingers tighten around mine.

“But I'm starting to think I picked the right getaway driver.”

I laugh and lace my fingers through hers.