Page 83 of August

August threw himself to the ground, aimed, and fired. Bullets rapped against Alvarez’s SUV but he was already inside, the driver peeling away.

“No!” August screamed, kicking the dirt.

“What the fuck just happened?” Rami bellowed, his hand pressed to his head.

They hadn’t brought Gigi. August tipped his head back, and a roar vibrated his throat.

“Are you guys okay?”

Toth’s question didn’t penetrate the crimson haze of August’s fury. The taste of murder burned his hungry mouth, and his hands throbbed with the need to end someone’s life. Not just someone’s. Alvarez’s.

“August,” Toth demanded.

“Hit in the vest,” he blurted. “I’m fine.”

“Me too,” Rami said. “You’re shot.” He pointed to Toth.

August snapped his attention to his friend. His sleeve was torn. Blood oozed from his arm.

“It’s fine.” Toth glanced at the wound. “Just a graze.”

August swiveled to look at Todd’s bloodied form. “He’s gone.” Their one bargaining chip. He dragged his hand through his hair. Jesus Christ, how had he fucked this up so bad?

Toth muttered several curses as he pulled out his phone then started shouting at whoever was on the other end.

“Get in the vehicle,” Rami ordered.

August did so without a second glance at Todd’s lifeless form. He’d gotten what he’d deserved, but the trade had been a bust.

Toth jumped in the back. “Are you going to follow them?” he growled, as Rami shifted into gear and lurched down the dirt road.

August fisted his hand on his thigh. “Don’t bother. Gigi’s not with him, but we’re going to find out where he’s keeping her.”

He didn’t want to acknowledge that the photo could have been hours old. Didn’t want to give voice to the reality that Gigi could already be dead. He wouldn’t accept that option. She was alive. Every fiber of his being confirmed that.

And he wouldn’t rest until he found her.

“If we follow him, we can beat it out of him,” Rami offered. He turned onto the highway.

“I’ve got a better idea,” August said.

“What?” Toth asked.

“We’re going to pay Senator Radcliffe another visit. Any chance you can find out if he’s still in San Juan?”

Toth snorted. “Piece of cake.”

There was a chance Senator Radcliffe didn’t know where Gigi was or where the cartel could be holding her. But if anyone had a lot to lose, it was him.

They’d run out of leverage against Alvarez. Now they had to find other means to get to Gigi. Before Alvarez cut his losses.

***

Gigi’s runners slapped against the gravel. Pumping her arms at her sides, she willed her legs to push harder, faster. Her muscles burned as she ran down the length of the alleyway. Another scream lodged in her throat, but she didn’t release it.

Didn’t dare waste the energy. Not yet.

“There she is!”

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