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“It’s not so bad. You get used to it.”
“I never will. Never.”
I had no words of comfort. I wasn’t that kind of man. Still using the back roads made it a hell of a lot easier to notice when another vehicle popped into my rearview mirror. A dark SUV to be exact. “Fuck.” I hadn’t intended on saying the word out loud, but Raven heard, stiffening instantly.
“What is it?”
“Maybe nothing.” I pressed my foot down on the accelerator, continuing with my next move. Seconds later, I made a sharp turn onto another road only used by those who knew the area. When the prick behind us made the same turn, I stiffened. “I’m going to tell you this once. Do not move from your seat. Do not try and interfere.”
“What’s happening?”
“Trouble. You get an up close and personal look at my world.” One she’d hate even more after this.
Fortunately, she slunk down in the seat as far as possible without me commanding her to do so, her breath already raspy. I maneuvered the car, taking the curve at a high rate of speed. She yelped once but said nothing as I hit the gas pedal again.
The fucker sped up, coming way too close for comfort, but it allowed me to catch a glimpse of the occupants. There were at least two men, the glint of a weapon evident only a few seconds later. I spun around another corner, the backend fishtailing. Then I tooled down the straightaway. I had to get us to some cover. Unfortunately, there was nothing around, the rural area leading into New Orleans full of a hell of a lot of nature but little else.
I knew it like the back of my hand, but that didn’t give me much of an advantage. And I was beginning to think outrunning them wasn’t a possibility given the driver continued gunning the vehicle. If I was lucky enough to make it to the next set of curves, I might be able to make some headway. Just before the road shifted, shots were fired from a high-power rifle.
The fucker had thought himself to be prepared, ready to shoot out the windows. Little did he know they wouldn’t shatter. I’d made certain they were bulletproof, the body of the vehicle as well, as I had with every one in my possession. I placed my hand on her leg, squeezing just as the first bullets slammed into the back window, the savage cracking sound pulling a sharp scream from her throat.
“Oh, God.”
“We’re okay. Just hold on.” I concentrated on driving, making headway as I navigated the curves with ease, the car handling beautifully. I knew her well, the sports car having saved my life more than once. “Whatever happens, stay inside this vehicle.”
“What does that mean? What are you planning?”
“I’m going to handle a situation, princess.” While I was able to buy us a few seconds, making another turn, I knew it would be short lived. The tires would likely be their next target. That would put us in a precarious position that I refused to face. “Lock the door.”
I slammed on the brakes, the car skidding from one side of the road to the other but I was able to maintain control. Her scream was short lived. Then she gripped my leg, digging her fingers in.
“Do what I say and you’ll live.” I had no time to waste, jumping out and slamming the door. The second I managed to point the gun toward the crossing road, the driver swung around the curve, nearly slamming into a tree in his effort to catch me. I stood with both hands on my weapon.
And I kept firing, pinging noises echoing, smoke rising almost instantly. Then the tires blew, and the driver lost control, coming too close for comfort as the driver overcorrected, the heavy piece of steel flying into the air from the momentum. I swiftly spun around, firing off additional rounds, slowly lowering the weapon the moment the front grille slammed into a tree.
With dark smoke billowing, I raced toward it, quickly peering inside. At least one of the assholes was still alive. I managed to jerk open the door, firing off four shots in a row. Then I backed away as soon as I witnessed flames. As I headed for the car, I could see the terror on Raven’s face as she peered through the window, both palms pressed against the glass.
Boom!
CHAPTER16
Raven
My scream was cut short by the fact I could no longer breathe. Hysteria rolled through me and I fought to get free from the tight confines of the seatbelt. Smoke was everywhere, flames licking up to the sky and I watched in horror as pieces of steel floated down from the heavens next to hot embers and ashes. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. I knew shit like this happened, but I’d never seen a dead body or a tragedy except on television. My life had been completely sheltered, so much so that I couldn’t think.
Except I was terrified that Arman was dead. The thought ravaged me as the smoke raced toward the goddamn sports car. Another scream rushed up from my throat and I struggled to get the door open, tears running down my cheeks when I finally managed. Stumbling out, I hit the pavement hard, yet I had to get away. I had to run. No, I had to know whether he was still alive. I just…
Everything seemed to be in slow motion as I took my first steps, almost falling again, acrid smoke stinging my eyes.
Somehow, I managed to lunge forward and away from the fire, struggling to see where I was going. “Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh.” I had to get away. When I was jerked backward and into someone’s arms, I let off a bloodcurdling scream.
“Shush. It’s me, baby girl. I got you. It’s okay. You’re safe.”
“Oh, God. Oh…”
“It’s okay,” Arman assured me.
“No! It’s not okay. I thought they’d killed you. I heard shots then the fire and…”
