CHAPTER 28 THE POINT OF NO RETURN #3
"No." Dario’s thumb swiped, zooming in. The dot pulsed steadily along a winding route, avoiding major highways. "They’re taking him somewhere quiet."
Dominic’s eyes flicked to the rearview. "You got a play, or are we just following until they stop?"
"Turn left here." Dario didn’t look up. "We’ll cut through the docks. Beat them to the choke point."
The car lurched as Dominic swung the wheel, tires hissing against wet pavement. Daniel braced himself against the door, his free hand fumbling for the strap above the window. "You’re assuming they’re not leading us into a trap."
"Assume whatever you want." Dario’s gaze stayed locked on the screen. "But if they wanted a trap, they wouldn’t use Tommy as bait. They’d come straight for me."
Evelyn’s fingers dug into the seat. "Then what’s the endgame here?"
The dot slowed, then stopped. Dario’s smile was a razor’s edge. "They’re making a trade."
Dominic’s foot hovered over the brake. "Who the hell would trade for a kid like Tommy?"
"Someone who thinks they’re smarter." Dario pocketed the phone and reached under his coat. The gleam of metal caught the streetlight as he checked the clip in his pistol. "Drive faster."
The engine roared in response. Somewhere ahead, Tommy’s signal waited—and so did whoever had him. The rain came down harder, turning the world into a shifting, liquid dark. No one spoke. The only sound was the steady click of Dario’s thumb against the safety, on, off, on.
Then, from the backseat, Daniel let out a sharp breath. "You’re not merely getting him back, are you?"
Dario didn’t blink. "No."
The car sped on.
The rain hammered the windshield, blurring the streetlights into streaks of gold. Dario’s fingers tightened on the wheel, the leather creaking under his grip. Beside him, Evelyn leaned forward, her breath fogging the glass as she scanned the side streets.
"Left," she said, sharp and low.
He swerved without hesitation, tires skidding on the wet asphalt. The car jolted as they hit a pothole, and Evelyn braced herself against the dash.
"They’re still behind us," she said, glancing at the rearview mirror.
Dario’s jaw tightened. Two SUVs trailed them, headlights cutting through the rain. He knew those vehicles—Moretti muscle, sent by Dominic.
"Tommy’s driving the lead car," Evelyn added, her voice steady despite the tension.
Dario didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. Tommy Caruso was good—too good. He’d trained him himself.
"Pull over," Evelyn said suddenly.
Dario shot her a look. "What?"
"Pull over. Now."
He hesitated, then jerked the wheel, skidding to a stop beside a boarded-up storefront. The SUVs slowed, their headlights flooding the car’s interior.
Evelyn unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to him. "Listen to me. If we run, we’re fugitives. If we fight, we’re dead. There’s only one way out of this."
Dario’s eyes narrowed. "What are you suggesting?"
"Give me the gun."
He didn’t move.
"Trust me," she said, her voice cutting through the rain.
For a moment, he considered refusing. Then, slowly, he reached under his jacket and handed her the Sig Sauer.
Evelyn took it, checked the magazine, and slid it back into place with practiced ease. She opened her door and stepped into the rain, the gun held low at her side.
Dario watched her go, his stomach tightening. This wasn’t the plan.
The SUVs stopped a few yards away, their engines idling. Tommy stepped out of the lead vehicle, his hands raised in a gesture of peace.
"Evelyn," he called, his voice carrying over the downpour. "You don’t have to do this."
She didn’t answer. Instead, she raised the gun, aiming it squarely at his chest.
"Tell Dominic we’re done," she said, her voice cold. "Tell him if he sends anyone after us again, I’ll put a bullet in his favorite enforcer."
Tommy froze, his hands still raised. "You’re making a mistake."
"Am I?" she said, her finger tightening on the trigger.
Dario stepped out of the car, the rain soaking him instantly. "Evelyn."
She didn’t look at him. "Get back in the car."
He hesitated, then obeyed, sliding into the driver’s seat. Evelyn kept the gun trained on Tommy as she backed toward the car, her movements deliberate.
When she reached the passenger side, she climbed in without lowering the weapon. "Drive."
Dario hit the gas, the tires screeching as they peeled away from the curb. In the rearview mirror, he saw Tommy standing in the rain, watching them go.
They drove in silence for several blocks, the only sound the rhythmic thump of the wipers. Finally, Evelyn lowered the gun and rested it on her lap.
"Well," she said, her voice dry. "We’re fugitives now."
Dario glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "You could’ve killed him."
"I didn’t need to," she said, leaning back in her seat. "Tommy’s loyal, but he’s not stupid. He’ll report this to Dominic, and Dominic will think twice before sending anyone else."
Dario didn’t argue. He knew she was right. But the cost of this move was already clear—they were outlaws now, hunted by the very organization they’d once served.
The rain continued to fall, washing away the city lights as they disappeared into the night.