Page 113 of Ugly Beautiful Scars

I could take out a second tire and force them to a complete stop. But as I raise my gun again, doubt creeps in. If I blow another tire at this breakneck speed, the risk of flipping the vehicle increases. Londyn would be trapped inside during the rollover.

I lower my gun. Can't risk it.

As I'm debating options, slight congestion up ahead makes us both slow. This could be my opportunity. There's no way around—

The SUV finds an opening and accelerates. It darts onto the sidewalk, hitting an elderly man who is thrown to the side. Then it zips back into traffic just past the slow-down.

"Jesus, Mike. They hit someone."

I can't lose them, so I also take a risky maneuver onto the sidewalk, careful not to injure any pedestrians. A few people scream and shout at me. The man who got hit is on the ground, injuries unknown, but he's sitting up and a crowd is forming. Someone will help him. Thank, God.

I'm back on the street chasing the SUV.

"I could try to cut them off," Mike says.

"You're too far back."

Shit, what do I do? They need to be stopped or they could hurt someone else.

In the distance, I see the signs pointing toward the Holland Tunnel. If they make it to the highway, this becomes a high-speed chase with too many variables, too many ways Londyn and others could get hurt.

I accelerate, bringing myself level with the window Miller fired a shot from. I smash the glass with the butt of my gun, hoping the asshole gets tiny shards in his eyes.

He takes another shot at me and I duck out of the way just in time.

"Let her go," I shout over the wind and engine noise. "Pull over now. This won't end well for you." I'm able to peer into the backseat enough to see Londyn is bound. No seatbelt.

Miller takes another wild shot but then the gun clicks. He's out of bullets. Idiot wasn't even working with a full clip.

He smirks regardless, a smug twisting of his lips that makes me want to put a bullet between his eyes.

Actually, that may be the only way this ends. If I shoot Miller then Josh may finally give up and pull over.

When I glance at Londyn, she must understand what I'm thinking because she leans back, trying to give me a clear shot as she fumbles with her seatbelt.

I raise my gun but don't get my chance.

Miller quickly loops his arm around Londyn, pulling her closer to him. "Don't want this one hurt, do you?" He pulls out a pocket knife and presses it under her throat. "Back off."

"Sean!" Londyn's voice cuts through everything, striking my very core.

Shit.I need a new plan. Fast.

The entrance to the Holland Tunnel is getting closer. I've got seconds, not minutes.

The SUV swerves wildly to avoid a delivery truck, crossing into oncoming traffic briefly before cutting back. Its damaged tire sends it veering onto the sidewalk, scattering pedestrians. My heart stops as a young woman with a stroller barely avoids getting hit.

They're going to kill someone.

This ends now.

I have to take the shot and hope my aim hits the mark.

I raise the gun, trying to steady my breathing. Miller smirks, daring me to see if I can fire before he uses that knife.

As my brain is frantically searching for any other solution, several things happen at once, all courtesy of the beautiful, strong woman in the SUV.

Londyn throws her weight against Miller, catching him off guard. Then she manages to get the knife out of his hand and stab his thigh with it. While Miller curses, I swerve toward the SUV and smash the driver's window to grab the steering wheel. He's startled and swerves toward a concrete street pole. He's forced to slam on the brakes and jerk the wheel to avoid a crash.

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