Page 74 of Captive of Outlaws

“Everything. The jewelry, the artwork—everything.”

The Sheriff’s ruddy face darkens.

“Get my gun.”

Chapter Nineteen

MY HEART PLUNGES TOmy stomach as the sheriff and deputy stride off. I whirl around, looking for anyone—Tuck, Will, Rob, even LJ—when I hear my name.

“Maren!”

It’s Will, walking briskly towards me from some hidden back corridor, his mask slightly askew.

“Will, I—”

“No time.” He grabs my arm and marches me forward with him. “We’ve gotta go.”

“The sheriff—”

“Iknow,Maren,” Will grits out, almost breaking us into a jog as we leave the side room and cross the front hall. “Just keep casual, keep smiling, and...”

We burst through the front doors of the Fox Hunt Club and into the night.

“Go, go, go!” Will yells. He takes off at a sprint as headlights flare up before us, and I barely keep up in my heels and tight skirt. With avroomof engine, Rob peels into the driveway,skidding into place just long enough for the side door to fly open and two pairs of arms to fling out and grab me.

“Go!” Will cries again, jumping in after me and slamming the door. Rob jams the gas and I fall forward into the dark back seat, sprawling over whoever just yanked me in—Tuck and LJ, I see now.

“What,” I pant, “thefuck?”

“Easy there,” LJ says gruffly.

“Watch the face!” Will huffs, where he’s tangled up around my legs. “Those heels could put an eye out, Maren.”

“Sorry,” I say, gingerly picking myself up to kneeling, wedged in the awkward space between the front and back seats. Will shimmies his way past me and slides into the front passenger seat headfirst.

“Jesus, Scarlet, I’m trying to drive!” Rob cries. “Tuck, anyone on our tail?”

“I don’t see them,” Tuck says, pivoting to look out the back windshield. He’s grinning, his mask pushed up to his forehead. “I think we did it.”

“She’s shaking like a leaf,” LJ says. “Get us out of here.”

“I’m getting!” Rob yells. The car shifts gear with a jerk and we accelerate, flinging me forward again like a rag doll until LJ grabs my arms.

“Don’t give her a damn concussion, Rob,” he barks. Then, to me, he adds, “And get off your knees.”

Dear God. He had to say those words, in that tone of voice. A little curl of heat coils inside me, but I ignore it and push myself into the seat next to him, sweeping my hair out of my face.

Rob guns in, and Tuck takes one last look behind us.

“Woohoo!” he cries. “Hellyeah. We did it!”

“We ain’t done shityet,” Rob says, darting a glance over his shoulder for good measure. “Not until we’re back home.” He looks in the rearview—at me. “You all right, Maren?”

“I...” I have to actually consider. My heart’s pounding so hard it hurts, my blood feeling fiery in my veins with adrenaline. But I’m okay. I’m more than okay. “Yep. Yes. I’m good.”

“Excellent.” Rob grins and shifts into a higher gear. “Let’s get this shit home and celebrate.”

“HOLY...HELL,” I BREATHE.

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