“Don’t be, Ladybug. Your lips are much softer than this.”
Gage cracks up. “And probably not as cold.”
“Right,” Cole agrees. He climbs into the hatch and looks at Kai. “Don’t let me fall out.”
Kai gets on his knees, tucks his hands into the top of Cole’s pants, and braces himself against the seats. I make sure the SUV is still behind me and take an exit off the highway. I block out the chatter from Les and the others because I know they can handle it. I focus on nothing but getting away from this motherfucker. I stay on the rural road until it’s all clear.
“When I stop, hit the hatch button,” I tell Nolan, and he nods. “Hold on,” I warn and slam on the brakes. The SUV almost rear-ends us, and when he sees what Cole’s holding, they drop it into reverse, trying to get away.
“Get down!” Cole yells. Sean wraps his arm around Chelsea’s head and pulls her into the seat. Cole waits until they’re a safe distance away and pulls the trigger. I drop it back into drive as soon as it hits. The explosion shakes the SUV, but I correct it. Nolan hits the button for the hatch to close, and Cole climbs into his seat with a grin.
“No more tail,” Cole relays with a laugh.
“Zane got one of the guys that were following Ryder, but we lost the other three. Your guy probably relayed the location, so be on the lookout. Dex is doubling back to follow you guys instead, so get back on the highway,” Les says.
Nolan gives me directions to the on-ramp, and a few minutes later, I spot my truck waiting on the shoulder. Dex whips in behind me, and I see Gage waving cheerily from the front seat.
“Zane’s heading to the new location,” Ryder says.
We’ve set them up on specific exits, and when we pass them, they move to a new spot. I have to admit that it’s fucking genius and keeps us covered the whole way to Abbs Valley. Even with that, I can’t relax. We’re all on high alert, and we’ll stay that way until we have Chelsea and Nolan locked up safely somewhere.
“Damn, they love this car as much as I do,” Ryder cuts in after almost an hour of silence. “I’m heading your way, Hart.”
“Ready,” Hart answers. We listen to the car rev and wait until we get confirmation.
“She sounds pretty, doesn’t she?” Chelsea jokes, but you can hear the nervousness in her voice from the situation.
“She does, Dragonfly. When this is done, you need to take her to the Games.”
“What’s that?” she asks, turning in her seat. I know he’s just distracting her, but I can’t wait to be able to show Chelsea off in public since I can finally claim her as mine. I know the rest of the guys are feeling it too. I listen as Kai explains about the Games and just let my mind envision everything I’m going to take her to do when I can.
“I’m getting swarmed,” Ryder calls out. “I’m staying on this exit. Hart got the first one, but they keep multiplying.”
“They think Chelsea's in that car,” Nolan says, looking worried.
“Dex, drop off,” I command. “Go to Ryder.”
“We should go to him,” Chelsea replies, sitting up between the seats. “We can’t leave them.”
“Absolutely not,” Les answers. “We’ve got them. You get to safety.”
“She’s right,” Zane cuts in. “Banger is close. I’ll move to him, and we’ll get them.” I watch as Dex speeds onto an exit ramp, and Cole’s eyes are glued through the back glass, waiting to see if anyone pops up to follow us.
Sean pulls Chelsea into his side, and we listen as Ryder tries to lose his tails. “Persistent fuckers,” Ryder mutters under his breath.
“Ryder, I see you,” Banger says. “When you get to that Oaks Lodge sign, slow down.”
We listen as we hear three shots fired across the comms. “Holy shit! Zane, I’m coming in hot.”
“I’m ready, Love,” Zane replies calmly, then more shots are fired.
“Two more,” Ryder relays.
“I’m waiting at the end,” Dex rumbles. “Gage is ready.”
Gage cackles. “Big Daddy Zane, I have a new toy.”
“You gave him the grenade launcher?!” Les laughs.