Page 205 of The Darkest Chase

Xavier clutches Talia, holding her close by the throat.

His fingers dig at her skin, her face red yet defiant with anger, her blue eyes bright.

Of course, he’s using her as a human shield.

That sick, cowardly piece of shit.

When I get my hands on him—

But my thoughts snap and I duck.

A shot pings off the corner of the freight container shielding me.

Shit, shit, shit.

More shots—coming from all directions this time.

I dive for cover behind another bulky container just as I notice several Jacobins going down howling.

My turn.

I hit the ground, roll, come up on one knee, and fire off three rounds.

Two hit targets before I’m moving again, weaving between containers.

It’s like a nightmare maze, and our best bet is to bait them into it.

Fewer bodies shielding Xavier.

Fewer targets close to Talia.

Easier to isolate and pick them off.

I scuttle to another quick vantage point, aim, pick off one more, then duck and head in the opposite direction. I deliberately let myself be seen, slowing in the crevice between two containers, waiting, watching as several more peel off from the main group and give chase.

Before they can catch sight of me again, I double back, breathing hard, flattening myself against the back of another container. Right as three men go charging down the corridor of space I just abandoned.

I count out three seconds, then slip behind them.

Aim.

Fire.

One, two, three, blown down like leaves.

Xavier wants to call me a white wolf?

Little pig, little pig, let me in.

Again.

Again, and there’s still no fucking end to it.

Screaming bullets piercing flesh, men crying out, the sharp ricochet of bullets flying off steel.

One thing I don’t hear is Talia now, and every time I duck down, I risk exposing myself for another glimpse of her.

I need to know she’s safe, dammit.

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