Page 63 of Graced
Her captors didn’t react.Didn’t flinch.
During her semi-lucid moments, she was aware of Welsh and Cargill arguing.It was heated but didn’t result in any punches being thrown, but she could tell it was serious.Very serious.Something about why they were being followed.That’s when she thought she heard Welsh claim that it was Rhyne tagging along.That there was nothing to worry about.
Hearing that Rhyne might actually be behind them gave her some hope she might get out of this alive.Or, at the very least, be able to feel his arms around her one last time.
She awoke when the car stopped, and she realized they were getting gas.All four men hopped out of the vehicle, knowing she couldn’t escape no matter how hard she tried.The zip ties bit deep into her wrists and ankles, cutting off circulation to where her hands and feet had lost all feeling, and making any effort to slip out or break them was futile.Even if she was able to break free, she wouldn’t be able to walk, much less run for help.
She thought about Rhyne, about those brief hours they’d shared, especially the part when he’d explained to her that there were good vamps as well as bad ones.There was no way of knowing if she’d get out of this alive, but if she did, she wanted nothing to do with vampires.Never again.
Her heart skipped a beat.Except for Rhyne.Not Rhyne.
Heat flushed her face, and she sniffed against the tears.She’d stay with Rhyne if he asked her.She’d take the risk, but on one condition—that they removed themselves from ever associating with his kind ever again.
I’ll take the risk with him because…because he’s different.
She hoped her instincts were good.
Then she prayed for deliverance.
* * *
The sun would be below the horizon within minutes.Once it set, Rhyne knew exactly what Cargill would do.He wouldn’t turn on his headlights, and instead drive using his vampiric night vision.Going dark and staying dark would make detecting him that much more difficult despite the obvious danger he’d pose to other human drivers.
Two county sheriff cars shot past him, their lights and sirens flashing.Rhyne glanced over at Nash for confirmation.The man nodded as he opened his passenger side window and looked upward.
“They got a helicopter overhead.At least, I’m betting it’s law enforcement.”
“Let’s hope so.”
They topped a small rise, enabling them to spot the Aspenall dead ahead with the two sheriff’s cruisers flanking it.Rhyne watched as the big black SUV suddenly took an off ramp, nearly sideswiping one of the vehicles as it left the interstate.Speeding up a bit, he also exited in time to see Cargill swerve at a red light and continue onto a smaller four-lane highway with the cruisers right on his tail.He followed suit but stayed far enough away where he and Nash could observe without becoming a problem.
Cargill hit the gas before they reached the city limits, and from that point the race was on.Nash also noticed Rhyne increasing their speed.
“Cargill’s making a huge mistake gunning that big SUV.Those things aren’t as agile as a smaller car.They’re good for ramming, but piss poor at taking hairpin curves.”
Rhyne agreed with him.“I bet Carvill can’t figure out why the fuck the cops are after him.I wish I could hear what’s going on between him and Welsh.”
“You and me both.”
Nash checked the copter’s location again when his cell phone went off.He glanced at the display.“I don’t recognize the number, but I’m betting it’s the law.”
Rhyne nodded as the man answered the call.
“Hello?Yes, this is Nash Villaton.Yes, I did.Well, actually, I’m in that dark blue Tamerin that’s following right behind two of your deputies.”
When Rhyne lifted an eyebrow at him, Nash covered the phone to whisper, “Massey County Sheriff’s Department.”Back to the phone, he continued the conversation.“Yes, sir.Yes, sir.We’re sticking with them.Yes, we plan to help you identify the suspects once they’re in custody.All right.Thanks.”Ending the call, Nash sighed and focused on the chase happening outside the windshield.“The deputies are aware of us following them.We’re to keep our distance.”
Rhyne sat up straighter.“Oh, shit.”
“What?What?”
His worry morphed into fear.“No!No, no!What the fuck are you doing?”
The bigger sheriff’s cruiser had moved in front of the smaller one and slammed into the back of the Aspenall.The black SUV fishtailed for a moment, then regained traction and sped off, but the big white cruiser easily caught up with it.Here on the lesser travelled state highway, traffic was lighter, enabling the deputies to make their move.
Rhyne tapped the brakes, slowing down to give the people ahead more room.No sooner had he retreated than the sheriff’s car rammed the black SUV a second time.The Aspenall skidded sideways, overcorrected, and hit the shoulder.Rhyne jerked the steering wheel, driving the car off the road and partway into the culvert as he focused on the takedown happening right in front of him.
Before the Aspenall could get back onto the highway, the second sheriff’s cruiser moved in, taking out the black SUV’s front bumper as it neatly clipped the left front tire.At the same time, the bigger sheriff’s vehicle went straight for the rear tire well.
