Page 78 of Rami

Ivy’s muscles turned to stone. The blood drained from her face faster than an avalanche barreled down a mountain. “What do you want from me?” she hissed.

Wayne’s face hardened. “It’s not you, honey. It’s what’s due. You’re collateral damage.” A note of regret struck his voice, as if the whole situation were unfortunate yet necessary.

“Let me go.” The words came out on a wobble. She’d sworn to herself that she wouldn’t beg for her life, but maybe, just maybe she could bargain. “I can promise you money,” she whispered, glancing toward the fire to make sure all the men were occupied. No one was paying them any mind. “Let me make one phone call. Fernando doesn’t have to know.”

Wayne’s gaze sharpened. Contemplation flashed across his acne-pitted face.

Yes, yes. He was falling for it. All she had to do was get Wayne to let her call Rami. Rami would find her.

She was certain of it.

Wayne moved his lips from side to side then shook his head. “Nah, see. That’s the kinda shit that’ll get me killed. Too many stupid motherfuckers have double-crossed Fernando, and he likes gory punishment.” His gaze turned sinister. “As you’ll soon find out.”

All her hope deflated. He adjusted the camera, which was on a tripod, and the flash came on, bathing her in its wide glow. Wayne’s mouth slid into a smirk. “Don’t worry, beautiful. Just a quick video. Your family needs to know who they fucked with.”

Ivy’s muscles spasmed.

Wayne reached for her waist. “We’ll do this from the waist down since you’re all tied up.” He reached for the waistband of her pants.

The panic inside her exploded into red-hot rage—and adrenaline. Using all her strength, Ivy kicked him in the stomach.

“Oof,” he coughed.

Letting out a hiss of delight, she booted him again. This time, her foot connected with the wound on his chest.

Wayne clapped his injury and bent forward. Ragged, painful gasps followed. Ivy ripped on the ropes. They released her.

Air filled her chest as she shrugged out of the bindings and jumped to her feet. Wayne reached for her, but she leapt out of his grasp.

“She’s getting away!” he yelled.

Ivy took flight as Wayne struggled to stand. Gabriel and Luis shouted.

Terror chomped at her heels as she sprinted through the woods, darting around trees and dodging branches. Hurried footsteps stormed behind her.

Her legs ached and her head pounded with each stride. Her cheekbone burned where Fernando had struck her, matching the blinding pain in her head.

But she didn’t slow. Determination pushed her beyond physical limits. She’d run until she collapsed. Until her heart gave out. She couldn’t get caught again. This was her chance. Her only shot at survival.

Please, God. Give me strength.

Gathering all her breath, Ivy let out a scream loud enough to shock the airwaves.

***

“No shit,” Toth said into the phone. Surprise hiked up the syllables. He swung his gaze to Rami.

Hope flared in Rami’s chest, despite the slim chance they’d be able to use the tracking device to locate Ivy. It wasn’t inconceivable that the technology could be hijacked.

The shocked look on Toth’s face had Rami’s insides twisting. “What?” he demanded.

Toth tilted the phone away from his mouth, his gaze on Rami. “You’re onto something. Dare said their system is weak as shit. Almost as easy as getting into the gas station security cameras.” Pulling the phone from his ear, he tapped an icon on the screen. “Bro,” he said to Dare. “You’re on speaker. Tell us what you found.”

“I think I’ve located the device tag used on Ivy. Of course, I can’t be certain without matching serial codes, but since the tracker is in her body, that’s not gonna happen,” he said dryly.

“So how do you know you’ve found hers?” Rami asked.

“Well, it’s the only active one in the area. The others are all stationed in Mexico and California right now. Which,” he said, dragging out the word, “will come in handy when I turn this shit over to my contact at the FBI so they can rescue those victims.”

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