Page 40 of Take Her from You

Headlights shone in my rearview mirror. Laser-focused, I took a turning. A second.

They kept on our tail.

Right, fucker.I caught a glimpse of the vehicle type as it passed under a streetlight. A metallic-orange truck. Exactly what Mia had told me one of the family drove.

“Mia, do ye remember the license plate of the older brother’s vehicle?” I asked.

“No, I’ve no idea,” she said in a rush.

“Did he buy it new?”

“Yes. A year ago.”

Shite. I couldn’t make out the plate without him getting nearer, but that was definitely a newer model. Nor could I speed away, not in a residential area, but I was good at evasive manoeuvres.

Ahead, a three-way junction appeared, the lights on green. I assessed the choices in a fast reckoning. Taking the left meant more suburbs and quiet streets. Dead ahead was the town centre. The right-hand turning joined a faster road and our route north.

“We’re going to need to take action sooner than I thought. Keep low and out of sight.”

With calm agreement, hiding nerves I sensed coming off her, she whispered something to her daughter.

“Why have we got to hide?” Tobi said. “Can’t we go back to bed at Molly’s house?”

“Not now, baby. You’re coming home with me.”

“But it’s dark, and I’m cold.”

“I know. Cuddle against me, and I’ll tuck the blanket around you like this. If you close your eyes, we’ll be there soon.”

“Who’s that man?”

“Valentine. He’s a friend. He’s going to get us home.”

I wanted to reassure the little lass myself, but I was a stranger to her, so it was better left to her ma. Besides, all my attention had to go to crossing the junction. My green traffic light turned to amber, warning me to stop. If I did that, I’d give the truck a chance to get right behind us.

Instead, I floored it.

We burst across the junction, speeding through ahead of the lights switching to red. I didn’t slow, my focus ahead and on getting away. I’d picked the option with the faster road. There were fewer opportunities for concealing us but greater risk in lingering now that he knew what our vehicle looked like. Hitting the accelerator, I punched through the gears. The speed limit was fifty, and there were big gaps between the cars so I could under and overtake easily.

I could get us away. I had no doubt. But the priority was the safety of the woman and the girl in the back.

My car ate up the city streets. I’d picked it for speed and agility, and that was paying off.

But a glance back put the orange truck in my rearview again.

I gritted my teeth.

For a minute, I watched him. If I sped up, he did, too. If I held my pace, he retained his position, several cars back but not budging.

There was no doubt in my mind now that we were being pursued.

I’d planned for this. For Mia and Tobi’s extraction. But the decision wasn’t mine.

From my shirt pocket, I pulled out my earpiece and fitted it. Then I glanced back at Mia, finding her gaze on me. I didn’t want to scare her daughter, so picked my words carefully. “That second option we talked about earlier, the plan B, it’s a possibility.”

Already pale, she gave a shaky nod and huddled closer to her bairn. “I understand.”

“We’ll need to choose now to give Raphael time.”

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