Page 132 of Unravel Me

That leaves me with a far more conventional solution.

As we barrel toward a curve, I lean out the window and fire at the Mercedes' rear tire.

The SUV wobbles as it enters the turn, but Rocco wrestles it back under control almost instantly. The tire isn't shredded, only punctured, which means this chase is far from over.

Ahead of us, the trail narrows into a stretch carved by deep ruts.

I immediately see Rocco struggling.

He floors the accelerator, relying on the V8 and four-wheel drive. Mud explodes behind the tires as the electronics fight desperately for traction.

I silently beg for him to get stuck, but the brute force of that engine drags the SUV through the worst of it.

Cursing under my breath, I follow. My Jeep glides through the section much more easily, putting me almost on top of him again, but then I realize we only have a few hundred yards left.

Rocco has slowed noticeably now. The flat tire is finally catching up with him.

At the end of the trail lies the junction where it meets the hard-packed gravel road, the same one Jared originally used to reach my cabin. From there the road splits into three directions, one of them branching onto another damp forest track that leads to the rear entrance of Renato's estate.

I'm almost close enough to ram Rocco's bumper when I suddenly spot two black Cadillacs parked on the small shoulder beside the gravel road.

So he didn't come alone after all.

They're obviously not built for these muddy forest trails, but they'll have no trouble on gravel. The realization is immediate; I can't keep chasing him out there. My Jeep doesn't have armored windows. They'd turn me into Swiss cheese before I got within range.

I yank the wheel hard and veer onto the forest road leading toward the back of Renato's estate, hoping they won’t follow. But I have to find out what's happening there and intervene if I still can.

I push the Jeep as hard as it'll go, tearing through the forest like a madman.

But as I get closer, I realize it isn't going to be that simple.

Rocco planned this far too well.

The place where the forest opens onto the driveway leading to Renato's estate is blocked by two black SUVs.

My heart sinks.

Looks like I'll have to come up with Plan D. and I'll have to do it fast.

CHAPTER 27: JARED

Present day

I slowly open my eyes, but the next second my entire body jerks violently, and I sit bolt upright as if someone had pressed a live electrical wire against my back.

Fuck! He was here!

I frantically look around.

Silvio is kneeling beside me, with Renato standing right next to him. They're both staring at me with intense concern.

"Where is he? Where the fuck is he?" Panic swells in my voice.

"Who? Mauro?" Silvio asks to make sure.

"No!" I scream. "That monster. That fucking bastard, Rocco Ferro!"

"He's not here. You're safe, nothing is going to happen to you, we promise—"