Page 89 of Merciless

Another guy appears in the right passenger window and I catch the glint of a gun.

Shit!

I rip off my seatbelt and roll down my right front window.

Timing is paramount with what I’m about to do.

So, I center myself, focusing solely on the target I need to take out.

Shots ring out and I’m frantically looking between the road in front of me and Runner behind me, as he swerves in and out, making it incredibly difficult for the shooter to get a lock on him long enough to hit their target.

That won’t last.

The second I make the turn, I take aim.

Wait.

Just a little bit longer.

One.

Two.

Runner starts making the turn and there’s my window.

Just before the van follows around the corner, I fire a shot through its windshield. It hits my target, plunging into the driver’s shoulder, causing him to lose control and slam on the brakes.

It’s not enough for me.

I fire again and again, two rapid-fire shots, taking out each front tire.

Enemy target immobilized.

There’ll be more. I have little doubt. I had three tailing me before, so one of them is still out there, and for all I know, they have reinforcements. Like cockroaches, they just keep coming. At least it’s bought us some time.

I right the car, which was veering off into the left lane as I made the shots.

A moment later, I see Runner at my side again.

He’s grinning and mouths, “Respect.”

We pull into the lot of the Sundown Motel.

Even as I brace myself for what’s to come, because I know this isn’t over yet, I can’t help cracking a smile.

I’m most definitely my father’s daughter.

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