Chapter 13 #2
He thought it would be weird to be at the Norcross’ home with everyone knowing he and Gia were together. But it wasn’t. It felt right.
He looked up, and spotted Vander watching them. His best friend had an unreadable look on his face, but he didn’t look angry.
He gave Saxon a slight nod.
Saxon nodded back.
“Ready to go?” Saxon asked Gia.
She nodded. She kissed her father and her brothers. She hugged Haven, then shared a long hug with her mother.
Mrs. Norcross kissed both of Saxon’s cheeks. “Do right by my girl, Saxon.”
He nodded.
She patted his cheek. “And by yourself. You always deserved more than you believed. You’re nothing like those parents of yours.”
Her words sent a hit of emotion driving into his heart.
Gia took his hand and they headed out to the Bentley.
“Can I drive?” she asked.
“No.”
“Typical man.” She flounced into the passenger seat.
God, no one gave off attitude like his woman.
His . He was going to keep her.
But first, he had to get her safe.
They headed back toward the city and his place.
“Well, you survived lunch with the Norcross family,” she said.
“I’ve eaten with your family a hundred times. At school, I used to wish they were my family.”
She rested her hand over his. “They are.”
Yeah, they were, in all the ways that mattered.
Her nose wrinkled. “I don’t relish meeting your parents.”
“For your sake, I’ll try to make that never.”
“Your parents must not be all bad.”
“There’s my Gia, always looking for the best in people.”
She scowled. “Look where that got me with Willow.”
He squeezed her fingers, resting them on his thigh. When he pulled onto the freeway, he glanced in the rearview mirror and frowned.
“What?” she asked.
“We’re being followed.”
She was a Norcross, so she didn’t turn around. “You’re sure?”
He nodded and sped up. “Silver Chevy Blazer.”
The SUV sped up as well, following them. Saxon thumbed a button on the steering wheel.
The call connected. “Norcross,” Vander said.
“I’ve got a Chevy Blazer on my tail. We’re on Bayshore, but I’m going to take the next exit.”
“I’m on it.” Vander hung up.
Saxon picked up speed and zipped between two cars. A car honked its horn, and the Blazer roared into the other lane to follow.
“Hang on.” He took the exit fast, tires screeching. The Bentley was well-designed, and hugged the curve.
Gia quickly glanced back. “They’re following.”
Saxon took another turn. Thankfully, the traffic was light because he didn’t want to put anyone in danger. He roared through a stop sign.
He glanced in the rearview mirror. Fuck .
“Down!” He reached across and shoved Gia’s head down.
There was a man hanging out of the SUV’s passenger window. He was holding a gun.
He fired. Bullets pinged off the Bentley.
“They’re shooting at us!” Gia’s voice was enraged.
“Stay down.”
“They’re shooting at us.” The rear window of the Bentley shattered, and Gia screamed.
Saxon took another turn, accelerating up a hilly street.
Leaning forward, Gia opened the glove compartment.
“Gia—”
She pulled out his HK VP9, checked it.
“Stay down,” he growled.
“You just drive, Saxon.” She opened her window.
He cursed. When she unclipped her belt, he cursed some more.
She stuck her head out the window and fired.
Bam. Bam. Bam .
The Blazer swerved and clipped a parked car before it righted itself. Gia fired again.
“Inside, Gia!” Saxon roared.
She slid back into her seat.
He jerked the wheel and pulled into the empty parking lot of a high school. He was pissed as hell.
He swung the Bentley into a sharp turn, tires squealing. They came to a stop facing the direction they’d came.
He grabbed the HK VP9 from Gia. “Stay in the car.” He gave a quick, hard kiss, then shoved open his door.
The Blazer pulled to a stop.
“Saxon, you aren’t bulletproof,” she cried.
He strode toward the SUV, lifted the gun and aimed. He fired on the driver side of the windshield—once, twice, three times. The glass cracked.
The door of the vehicle opened, and the driver tumbled out.
Saxon fired, hitting him in the leg. The man cried out and dropped his handgun.
Saxon snatched it up.
The man who’d climbed out of the passenger seat took one look at Saxon and ran.
“No, you don’t.” Gia’s voice.
Dread filling him, Saxon spun. His gut clenched. She hadn’t stayed in the car.
She was aiming her Ruger at the fleeing man. She fired several shots.
The man stopped, dancing on the spot like a tap dancer.
Gun up, Saxon advanced. “On your knees.”
The man dropped. A second later, a black X6 screeched into the parking lot, and Vander got out.
Saxon turned and zeroed in on Gia. “I told you to stay in the car.” His voice was a roar.
She didn’t even blink, just tossed her hair back. “You’d better get used to me making my own decisions and not following orders.”
He wanted to either hit or kiss that stubborn chin of hers. Since he didn’t hit women, and this was Gia, he suspected the kissing would win out.
Then he heard Vander’s laugh.
“Don’t you start,” Saxon said.
“You signed up for it, brother.”
“No comment.”
Vander slapped some zip ties in Saxon’s hand. While Saxon tied up the man on his knees, Vander knelt beside the bleeding driver. “Clear shot, didn’t hit an artery. He’ll live.”
“Who do you work for?” Saxon demanded.
The driver just glared at them, while the second man looked at the ground.
Saxon smiled. “Oh good, I was hoping you’d pick the hard way.”
The driver’s defiant look wavered.
Then Gia walked up and slapped the man’s cheek. “Who do you work for?”
“Jesus,” Vander muttered.
She slapped the man again. “Answer. Now.”
Shaking his head, Saxon stepped forward. “Gia—”
“Albert Sackler,” the man mumbled.
Saxon met Vander’s gaze. Fuck . Sackler had entered the game.
Gia nodded. “I’ll wait in the car.” She stalked off like she was just out enjoying a stroll.
“She’s a handful,” Vander said.
“I’m aware.”
“Too late to back out now.” Vander hauled up the bleeding driver. “I’ll get this one to the hospital, and call Hunt.”
“And the other one?” Saxon glanced at the guy tied up with zip ties.
“I’ll take him too. Think a visit to our holding rooms is in his future.”
Saxon nodded. “Call me if you get any more information.”
“Good luck with your handful.”