Page 31 of Pirate's Plunder

“We gotta move.” I open the door for Genesis to get in the back.

“Hang on I need to learn how to fly this son of a bitch.” Wizard says from the driver’s seat as I search the sidewalk for our uninvited guest.

“Fly? It’s a hybrid, not the fucking Space Shuttle.” I never understood why he bought this electric bullshit, but he wanted to help ease his carbon footprint.

“Yeah, but you haven’t been smoking weed all night.” Genesis is holding her nose like the stench is unbearable.

I guess since I’m used to him smelling like the crops, I hadn’t noticed. But as far as I was aware, he didn’t smoke.

“ARE YOU HIGH!?” I turn on him because if he’s skimming off the top, I need to handle it.

“I better be, or I just learned how to read Japanese.” Oh, for fucks sake.

“Wizard, you’re Korean, and everyone can read Toyota!” I glance behind us and curse.

“Really?” He sounds thoroughly confused about his heritage, and we are out of time.

“Can you drive this bitch or not? We gotta go!” He starts the car just as bullets ring out in the early morning.

“Oh shit, Prez! Is he shooting at you?” I want to slap him, but Wizard seems to come back to his senses when I scream yes.

“Fuck that.” He turns the car and clips the corner, almost rolling us, but we manage to stay on the street.

He has us across town and at the clubhouse faster than I thought possible.

“Pick up,” I growl at my phone as it goes to voicemail again.

“No one is at the guard house.” Wizard sounds stone cold sober and on alert now.

“Genesis. I want you to take this car and drive straight to your father’s. Do not stop for anything. Run every light and let the cops chase you if they want to.” She opens her mouth to argue.

“DO AS I SAY!” A tear falls down her cheek, and she nods.

Wizard throws the car into park, but leaves it running for her. She climbs into the front seat, and I take one precious second to look at her before I kiss her.

“Please be safe.” These aren’t the words I want to say, but they are the ones she needs to hear.

“You too.”

Chapter Eighteen

Genesis

Somehow, I make it to Alfie’s building without causing an accident. I park the car and stay in the front seat, crying, until the security guard comes over to check on me.

“Ms. Torreli? Are you alright? Do you need help?” I sniffle and shake my head.

“Mrs. Maldonado now,” I correct, wondering why he doesn’t already know that.

My father’s team is efficient and methodical with their information, so I know it’s been circulated. I look up and find a masked man holding a large gun on a military-style strap.

“Are you new?” I question as he opens the door, but my instincts are screaming for me to leave, so I restart the car and gun it in reverse.

He’s able to grab the wheel and turn it, making me lose control and hit a concrete barrier. The impact throws me from the car, and I hit the driveway hard.

“Don’t move!” someone shouts at me, but as I try to sit up, my arm burns.

“AHH!” I fall onto my back and hold my arm to my chest.

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