Page 159 of Bound Lies

“Okay.”

By the time I pull into the parking garage, Riley is already waiting with her overnight bag over her shoulder. She’s clutching the straps so tightly her knuckles are white, and her face is drained of color.

I don’t waste time as I stop the car and pop the trunk.

Riley tosses the bag inside, and we’re back on the road in seconds.

Neither one of us speaks as I drive out of the city.

I should call Ronan to warn him we’re on our way, and I’m about to dial him when I notice the headlights behind us.

They’re not close enough to warrant my attention, but I’ve been followed enough times to know when someone is on my tail.

I change lanes just to be sure and glance in the rearview, silently cursing when I notice them doing the same.

My instincts start shouting before my brain has a chance to catch up.

“Is your seatbelt on?” My free hand finds the Glock tucked into my jacket.

Her head turns toward me. “Kieran⁠—”

“Riley.”

“Y-yes. Yes, it’s on.”

I pull my gun free.

My eyes stay on the mirror as I watch the other car edge just close enough that I can make out the vague silhouette of two people inside. Then the gunshot cuts through the air, and my arm instinctively moves to cover Riley.

“Down!”

The first rounds punch into the rear panel of the car, and Riley screams.

Another burst follows.

The back windshield explodes inward, and glass rains over the interior.

“Fuck!” I twist in my seat, aiming a shot right through the back window.

Cars swerve left and right, and horns blare as I continue to fire shot after shot.

My pulse kicks into overdrive as I crank the wheel left, then right, forcing our attackers to adjust, but more bullets continue to land.

I slam my foot to the floor, and the car skids briefly before gripping again, the tires screaming against the asphalt.

The freeway is long and open. It’s too easy for them to keep a clean line of fire.

I need cover, or at least some obstacles so that I can force them into making a mistake.

I drop my window an inch, just enough to clear my muzzle, and fire two shots straight at their grill. It’s not enough to kill the engine, but it is enough to kill their aim for a few seconds as I jerk the wheel and make a hard right down a narrow turnoff that leads to an industrial district.

It’s not far from the warehouse where Finn is kept, so I know the roads well. The streets are tight and unpredictable, full of blind corners that I can use to my advantage.

As expected, the other car barrels after us, so I drop another gear as I speed up, leading them deeper into the industrial district.

“Hold on.” I slam on the brakes as we hit a point between two warehouses, causing the tires to shriek.

The tailing car overshoots, and before they can adjust, I twist in my seat and lean across the console and fire three more rounds toward their driver’s side windshield.