Page 79 of Emmy's Ride

“I’ll always come for you,” I murmured into her hair.

The moment shattered with the sound of boots pounding down the hall.

“Move!” Riot barked from the doorway, gun raised.

I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed that damn white dress from the bed, pulled it over her head, and then hauled her into my arms. She tensed, but she didn’t fight me. I had no time to reassure her.

“Cover me,” I ordered.

Tank and Riot took position, unleashing controlled bursts of gunfire down the hall as more guards charged toward us. The scent of gunpowder filled the air, mingling with Emmy’s vanilla shampoo—a scent I never thought I’d get to smell again.

Jax’s voice came over the earpiece. “You’ve got company coming from the south wing. ETA, two minutes.”

I cursed. We were out of time. “Where’s our exit?”

Riot fired off another shot before jerking his head toward the window at the end of the hallway. “Balcony. There’s a ledge that runs along the side of the villa. We can get to the east courtyard.”

I glanced at Emmy. “Can you hold on?”

She nodded, her breath unsteady. “I trust you.”

That was all I needed.

With a final burst of shots to slow down the pursuit, I rushed into the hallway and toward the balcony. Riot smashed the lock on the doors. The glass swung open, letting in the warm night air.

I didn’t stop. I leapt onto the stone railing and balanced Emmy against my chest. Riot led the way, his boots finding steady purchase on the narrow ledge.

Emmy buried her face in my neck, her breath hot against my skin. “Don’t drop me.”

“Never,” I promised.

Gunfire erupted behind us. The Ghost’s men had breached the room. Tank fired back, covering our retreat as I followed Riot along the ledge. The drop below was two stories, the cobblestone courtyard gleaming under the moonlight.

“We jump from here,” Riot said and pointed below them. “Look, there’s a roof extension one floor down, drop to it and then there’s a tree to help you to the ground.

I followed his directions. tightened my grip on Emmy. “Hold on, baby.”

Then I jumped. We landed hard. Emmy gasped as I absorbed most of the impact, tucking her into my chest.

“Move!” Riot hissed.

The second our feet hit the ground, we were running. Bullets tore through the night, chipping stone and shattering glass as guards swarmed the villa.

Jax’s voice came through the comms. “Get to the north wall. I’ve got exfil incoming.”

My heart pounded. I could hear the roar of approaching motorcycles, the deep growl of an SUV’s engine. My men were waiting.

“Almost there,” Riot grunted.

As we rounded the last corner, a black Escalade screeched to a halt in front of us, blocking our escape. The doors flew open, and the man I assumed must be The Ghost stepped out. Dressed in a tailored white suit, he adjusted his cuffs, then smiled like the cold, menacing shark he was.

“I was hoping you’d come, Austin,” he said smoothly. “Saves me the trouble of finding you myself.”

My grip tightened on my gun. My blood sang for violence.

“Give me the girl,” The Ghost continued. “And I’ll let you walk away.”

I bared my teeth. “Over my dead body.”

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