Chapter 51
Austin
The windshield wipers swiped back and forth in a rhythm not at all timed with the country music Gibson had turned on for Nina.
Nina and I sat in the back seat, with Gibson driving. She fidgeted with the neckline of the bulletproof vest John had given her.
“Cherry,” I said, gently pulling her hand away, “try not to think about it.”
“It’s heavy,” she said. “If the windows are bulletproof, why do I have to wear it?”
“We’re all wearing one.” I knocked on my chest.
If she thought hers was heavy, she should try on Cate’s. She, Jay, and AJ were in full kit, ready to provide backup if needed.
“You have company,” Cate relayed over comms from the second car.
I turned and looked out the tinted back window. “Copy that.” We’d only been on the road thirty minutes.
“I can’t see a plate,” Cate said. She was in the front with Jay; AJ was in the back with his rifle in his lap.
“Color me surprised,” G said. “Should I lose them?”
“Not yet. Give SSI a chance to intercept,” I answered.
“Change course?” G asked.
“Affirmative.” We’d drive until we couldn’t, but we wouldn’t lead them to the safe house. “Nina, I need you to lie down,” I said, wanting her out of sight. Not that it mattered; they knew she was with us.
“What’s going on?”
“We’re being followed.”
She opened her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief, and shut it without asking her question. When Nina reclined in the seat, her head had no choice but to rest on my thigh. I placed my hand on her shoulder and caressed it as she clutched her hands to her chest and prayed.
I asked God to answer her prayers.
A volley of gunshots echoed behind us.
Tires squealed on the wet pavement.
“We lost Sheppard,” G said, slamming down the accelerator.
“Nina, stay down!”
Shots rang out. Bullets ricocheted off the car.
The next gunshot-like sound was from a tire blowing.
Gibson fought to control the car, the rain making it more difficult.
“Isn’t the car’s bullet proof?” Nina screamed.
“The car is, but the tires aren’t,” I answered.
More shots clanged off the car. The back window cracked, but held.
A second tire blew.
I gripped the driver’s side headrest with one hand and secured Nina with the other as Gibson struggled to get the fishtailing car back on path.
Once he did, I rolled down my window while drawing my pistol.
Rain pelted me as I leaned out the window and fired back, aiming at the tires.
Bullets bounced off the pavement.
Some struck the grill.
I missed the tires.
Unfortunately for us, we’d lost both back tires and G was quickly losing control as the asphalt tore up the rims.
“I can’t control it much longer.”
“Pull over, we’ll have to fight.”
I rolled up the window and wiped the rain off my face.
The back rims smoked as Gibson brought the car to a halt along a narrow patch of tall grass at the side of the road. Just beyond it was a rapidly filling ditch.
“Nina, no matter what, stay in the car. If they come for you, don’t fight. And whatever you do, don’t tell them anything. Sheppard will come for you.” It didn’t matter which one; I trusted SSI had already called in Shepherd Security and they’d track Nina’s location.
“As soon as we’re out, lock the doors.”
“Okay,” she croaked out around sobs, before covering her eyes and curling into the fetal position.
“Ready?” G asked.
“Ready.”
We slammed the doors closed behind us, brought our guns up, and started firing at the four men sprinting towards us.
I prayed Nina remembered to lock the doors.
One guy went down immediately.
A shot whizzed past my face.
Too close for comfort.
“Cover me.”
My empty mag landed in a puddle as I inserted a full one.
Seventeen rounds went fast when you were out-gunned and fighting for your life.
A second guy dropped, quickly followed by G getting hit in the upper chest. The shot knocked him back, causing him to drop his gun.
“Cover me,” he yelled, moving to recover his pistol.
A bullet grazed my leg, but the injury didn’t stop me. I pulled the trigger as fast as I could get my sights back on target.
I wasn’t fast enough to take out the two moving men.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gibson’s body jerk a second time before he fell and rolled into the ditch.
Did they hit his vest? Is the ditch filled with water? I didn’t have time to check—they only had one target now.
I kept firing.
I’m so sorry, Nina.
My slide locked back. I dropped the empty mag.
As I reached for the next one, a bullet sliced through the outside of my right arm.
My gun dropped from the sharp shock of pain. Blood mixed with the rainwater and stained my sleeve.
I can’t let them get her.
They were within striking distance in the blink of an eye.
I didn’t stand a chance against them, but I swung anyway. The guy to my left easily blocked my fist and punched me in the face twice before twisting my arm around my back and wrenching my shoulder. The metallic taste of copper filled my mouth as a red haze filled my vision.
Without uttering a single word, he placed the muzzle of his gun against my temple and shoved me towards the car.
The guy not holding me grabbed the back door handle and pulled.
Locked. Thank God.
Nina was still curled up in the fetal position with her hands over her ears. From the way her body was shaking, I guessed she was sobbing.
“Open the door!” The guy at the door shouted as he beat on the window with the butt of his gun.
Nina sat up and backed away from the window.
“Unlock it,” the guy holding me growled.
“I don’t have the key,” I growled right back, earning a punch in the gut before he slammed my face onto the wet trunk.
Nina’s teary eyes widened in terror. I saw her mouth open two seconds before her bloodcurdling scream reached my ears.
“Open the fucking door!” the guy yelled while pounding on the window again.
Fuck. If they had to shoot their way into the car, Nina would get hurt.
Better to comply until SSI and Shepherd Security arrived.
Shit, she’s panicking. Breathe, Nina. Remember to breathe.
I thanked God when I saw her chest movements slow down.
When Nina opened her eyes and looked at me, I nodded.