AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Calm down, Bash. Let’s use our inside voice,” Morgan scolded. “And don’t roll those eyes at me,” she added, her assumption.
“No eye rolling here, Morgan,” Bash scoffed.
She heard Max laugh.
“She’s a kindergarten teacher,” Bash explained.
Morgan frantically searched her surroundings for another escape route. She located an empty field on the far side of the parking lot.
“Looks like we’re going off-road,” she sighed. “We need to turn left. There is a vacant lot at the end of the parking lot. When we get to the last aisle, we’ll jump the curve and head across. I’m hoping it isn’t muddy, or you guys are going to get stuck.”
“You mean that field? The weeds are at least a foot high,” Bash said with skepticism.
“Unless you’ve got a better idea, I don’t see another choice. Be sure to slow down and ease over the curve. We’ll ride across the field until we reach the used car lot on the other side. Let’s hope the guys in the SUV don’t notice us. If we’re seen, we should be out of firing range unless they have a rifle. Y’all good?”
She heard mumbling between the men.
“We’re behind you,” Bash replied. “What happens if we get stuck? We have close to 400 pounds between us.”
“Don’t borrow trouble. We’ll improvise. If it slows you down too much, Max can run alongside you.”
The ride through the parking lot went without a hitch. The men in the SUV didn’t seem to notice them until they jumped the curb and started across the open lot. Morgan held a thumbs up, confirming the ground was solid.
“The field is uneven. We’re bouncing all over the place,” Bash complained.
“Give her some more power and see if that helps. If not, Max is going to have to get off.”
“I’ll try. I feel like I’m riding through a ton of weedy potholes,” he said, adding a little bit of speed. “Much better, but we’ve got company running parallel to us.”
Morgan whipped her head to the right and found the black SUV tracking them. Adrenalin shot through her veins, her heart hammering against her chest. Woods filled with pine trees and underbrush blocked their path on the left. Ahead about 20 yards, Morgan spotted a break in the trees where powerlines ran perpendicular to their path. The mowed area underneath it was a welcome site. When she glanced back to gauge where the SUV was located, she saw a rifle sticking out of the window.
“Gun!” she yelled. “Head for that break in the trees on the left.”
A shot rang out. It pinged against metal. Roxy was hit. Lowering her body closer to the bike, she asked if they were okay.
Bash didn’t answer, but she heard his engine rev as his bike drew closer to her tail. She wasn’t surprised when he caught up, pacing with her on the right. He could have used his more powerful engine to get to safety, but instead, he took her out of the line of fire. She cringed when a series of shots peppered the grass around them.
“We’re almost there,” Morgan panted, her arms and hands burning from the strain of holding the handlebars steady over the rough terrain. She let out a small yelp as another shot took out her taillight. Just a little further. Come on, baby, almost there.
When they finally turned down the grass path under the powerlines, she let out a massive breath.
“You okay, Chip?” Bash huffed.
“Just hunky-dory.”
“Let’s not do that again, okay?” he nervously laughed.
“Roger that,” she sighed. “I’m hoping we lost them, but I have no idea where we’re going.”
“Fontana’s telling me they won’t give up. They probably have a map and know exactly where we’re headed.”
“Then we need to get off this path,” Morgan suggested. “There is a small break in the trees up ahead. I’m going to stop.”
“Got it.”
The gap in the trees turned out to be a narrow bike trail that crossed under the powerlines and continued to either side.
“It’s going to be tight with that dresser. Think you can make it?”
