Page 16 of Cole
“I can hotwire a car,” he smirked. “How about you Cole?”
“Normally, yes. Right now, I’m not so sure.”
“Let’s go.”
Angus allowed Cole to lean against his body, closer to his size and height. When they reached the end of the road, there were four flatbed trucks sitting in front of a construction site. One had enough space for them all to sit in the front.
Angus went to work while the others watched for anyone who might approach. When he crossed the wires and the engine roared, they all felt a sense of relief.
“Let’s go. We’re not out of danger just yet.”
Angus drove with Bailey beside him, then Cole, and then Hala near the passenger window. She held firm to him, preventing the bumps from becoming too painful.
Bailey laid her palm on the top of Angus’ thigh and he jumped slightly.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “Did that hurt?”
“Not like you think,” he smirked.
“How close are we to the Turkish border?” she asked.
“Not nearly close enough. An hour at least, because of the roads, and if those Rangers blow that site, they’re going to swarm to find anyone on the roads.”
“Don’t worry, sis, we’re about an hour away if everything stays…” His voice was drowned out by the massive explosion behind them. The Rangers had done their job. Which meant they would be running, and now they had to run as well.
Angus sped up but when he reached the top of a ridge, he stopped, looking down at the group of men walking toward them.
“Those men are in my grandfather’s army,” whispered Hala. “They’ll never let me pass. Or you.”
“We can’t be more than thirty minutes from the border now,” said Cole. “AJ? Hiro? We could use some direction.”
“You’re about twenty-five minutes from the border but you won’t be able to drive and pass those soldiers. Ditch the truck. Literally. Send it over the ridge and the explosion will distract them. You’ll need to walk the rest of the way.”
“Are you fucking with me, Hiro?” said Cole.
“Never. Just do it and do it fast.”
They got out of the truck and Angus maneuvered it to face the edge of the ridge. Finding a heavy rock, he set it on the accelerator and then put the truck in drive.
Stepping into the shadows, they waited until the truck hit the bottom and exploded in a ball of fire.
“We have to move,” said Angus putting an arm around Cole’s waist. “Lean on me and just keep your feet moving.”
Hala watched the group of her grandfather’s men go down the ridge to see what had happened. Her insides were churning at the thought of being found now. It would never end for her. She’d always be on the run.
“Hey, it will be okay,” said Bailey taking her hand. “I promise where we’re going will be safe and no one can get to you. No one.”
“I hope you’re right, Bailey.” She smiled, squeezing Hala’s hand.
“So. You like my brother?” smirked Bailey. Hala laughed, shaking her head in embarrassment.
“Is it that obvious? He’s very handsome and he was extremely brave while down in that well. Other men might have gone mad.”
“Well, you’ll find that the men in our family don’t back down from much. Maybe only their wives,” smiled Bailey.
“What will I do? Where will I live? How will I live?”
“You have to trust me, Hala. You can finish taking your boards and then work at our family’s hospital and clinic.”
