25. Ace
Ace
Idon’t like patterns.
And right now, I’m seeing one.
Trigger’s at the window, still as stone. Blaze has three screens up, feeds rolling, maps updating. Beast is by the door, arms crossed, quiet but ready.
Tessa’s in the middle of it, making more flower bouquets.
And she’s holding steady.
Stronger than most people would be.
But this?
This is where it gets bad.
“Same two vehicles?” I ask.
“Yeah,” Trigger says without looking away. “Dark sedan, gray SUV. They’ve looped the block four times.”
“Plates?” Blaze asks.
“Pulled,” Trigger replies. “Both come back clean.”
Blaze snorts. “Of course they do.”
I step closer to the window, just enough to see the street without making it obvious.
The gray SUV rolls by again.
Too slow.
Too deliberate.
“Yeah,” I mutter. “They’re not here to admire the scenery.”
Tessa’s voice comes from behind me. “What does that mean?”
I turn.
She’s standing straighter now.
Not shrinking.
Not hiding.
Good.
“It means they’re watching,” I say. “Waiting to see what we do.”
Her jaw tightens. “Then let them watch. Shouldn’t Daniel Reynolds be arrested?”
That gets a look from all of us.
Not surprised.
Not anymore.
Beast gives a small nod. “That’s the right answer.”
Blaze taps a few keys. “I’m pinging nearby cams. Let’s see where they go when they leave.”
My phone buzzes.
Unknown number.
I answer anyway.
“Mercer.”
Silence.
Then—
“You’ve made this more difficult than it needed to be.”
Reynolds.
My grip tightens.
“Yeah,” I say. “That happens when you try to bury the truth.”
“You don’t understand the damage you’re causing.”
“I understand exactly who caused it.”
A pause.
Then his tone shifts.
Colder.
“You think hiding behind a few Rangers changes the outcome?”
I glance at Tessa.
She’s watching me.
Not afraid.
Listening.
“No,” I say. “I think it buys us time.”
“For what?”
“For you to run out of options.”
Silence cracks on the line.
“You’re wrong,” he says quietly. “I still have plenty.”
Then he hangs up.
I lower the phone slowly.
“He’s moving,” I say.
“Yeah,” Blaze mutters. “I’m seeing chatter spike. Someone just killed two traffic feeds on the east side.”
Trigger turns slightly. “Black sedan just turned the corner again.”
“Too many passes,” Beast says. “They’re getting ready.”
My pulse steadies.
Focus locks in.
“Alright,” I say. “We’re done sitting.”
Tessa steps forward. “What does that mean?”
“It means we move you.”
Her brows lift. “Where?”
“Safer than here.”
“I’m not running.”
“It’s not running,” I say. “It’s positioning.”
Her jaw sets.
I hold her gaze.
“This is where I need you to trust me.”
A beat.
Then—
“Okay.”
No hesitation.
That lands.
Hard.
“Grab what you need,” I tell her. “Fast.”
She turns and moves.
No panic.
Just purpose.
Good.
“Blaze,” I say, “route us out the back.”
“Already mapping,” he replies. “Alley’s clear—for now.”
“Trigger, you’re lead.”
“Trigger, do you want those flowers now?” Tessa asks, heading upstairs.
“On it,” He stops and turns toward Tessa. “How about I get them when this is all over?” She nods and continues upstairs.
“Beast, rear.”
He nods once.
I head for the door, checking the street one more time.
The gray SUV is gone.
That’s worse.
“Let’s move,” I say.
Tessa comes down the stairs with a small bag.
That’s it.
Everything she owns up there—and she takes what matters.
I like that.
We move as a unit.
Back door.
Alley.
Quiet.
Controlled.
The air feels tight.
Like something’s about to snap.
“Left,” Trigger says, already moving. “Stay close.”
We do.
Footsteps echo softly against the brick.
Tessa’s right behind me.
I can feel her there.
Steady.
Trusting.
We clear the alley.
Blaze’s truck is waiting.
Engine running.
“Go,” he says.
We pile in fast.
Trigger up front.
Beast in back with us.
I pull Tessa in beside me as the truck lurches forward.
“Anyone see them?” I ask.
“Not yet,” Blaze says.
Too easy.
I don’t like it.
We hit the main road.
Turn right.
Then—
“There!” Trigger snaps.
Black sedan.
Two cars back.
Closing.
“Of course,” Blaze mutters.
“Don’t outrun them yet,” I say. “Let’s see what they do.”
The sedan speeds up.
Closer.
Too close.
“They’re not just following,” Beast says. “They’re lining up.”
“For what?” Tessa asks.
My jaw tightens.
“Contact.”
Her breath catches.
The sedan surges forward.
Pulls alongside.
Driver glances over.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Then—
He swerves.
Hard.
Blaze jerks the wheel, tires screeching as we avoid the hit.
“Not subtle!” he barks.
“Now we move,” I say.
“Glad you said that.”
He slams the gas.
The truck roars forward.
The sedan sticks with us.
Right on our side.
Trying again—
Another swerve.
Metal screams as it clips the rear panel.
Tessa gasps beside me.
I grab her hand without thinking.
“I’ve got you,” I say.
Always.
Blaze cuts left, then right, forcing them to adjust.
“They’re aggressive,” Trigger says. “Not trained.”
“Desperate,” I correct.
That’s worse.
We hit a narrow stretch.
One lane.
Rock on one side.
Drop on the other.
The sedan tries again.
Overcommits.
Clips the edge—
Sparks fly.
“Now!” I snap.
Blaze accelerates hard.
The truck surges forward.
The sedan falls back.
Struggling.
Losing ground.
“Come on…” Blaze mutters.
We clear the pass.
Hit open road.
And this time—
They don’t follow.
I watch the mirror.
Nothing.
Empty.
“Keep going,” I say.
We don’t slow.
Not yet.
Not until we’re miles out.
Blaze finally eases off the gas.
Silence fills the truck.
Heavy.
Real.
Tessa’s hand is still in mine.
Trembling slightly.
I don’t let go.
“You okay?” I ask.
She nods.
Barely.
“They tried to hit us.”
“Yeah.”
Her breath shakes.
“This is really happening.”
I turn slightly, making sure she sees me.
Feels it.
“You’re still here,” I say.
Her eyes meet mine.
Stronger now.
Steadier.
“Yeah,” she whispers.
Yeah.
She is.
And that’s exactly why this isn’t over.
Not even close.