Page 123 of Death Wish

“Simone!” Sawyer barreled from the house, weapon up and aimed at Trevor. “Let her go now, White.”

“No way. She’s mine. You have a choice. You can save your buddy’s life or you can die along with your friend on the ground.” Trevor’s muscles tightened. He was going to shoot Sawyer. She couldn’t let him shoot Jesse’s friend.

“Don’t, Trevor,” she pleaded. “I’ll go with you. Don’t hurt Sawyer. Please.”

Trevor laughed. “I love it when you beg. You’ll be doing a lot more begging before I finish punishing you for turning me over to the cops.”

“Anything you want. Just don’t hurt him.”

“Simone, no,” Sawyer said, voice low. “Don’t.”

“I’ll be fine.” She tapped her watch band, hoping he got her meaning. “Save Jesse.”

He looked torn. “You’re asking too much, kid.”

“Please. Save Jesse for me. Let’s go, Trevor.”

Trevor tightened his grip on Simone, using her body as a shield, and dragged her from the yard. “You follow us, and she dies.”

Sawyer kept his weapon aimed at Trevor, looking for an opening. He didn’t get one.

Simone stumbled as her ex-boyfriend forced her to his car parked down the street. She needed to escape and return to Jesse. How badly was he hurt?

Tears stung her eyes. He had to be all right. She’d never forgive herself if Jesse didn’t make it.

Trevor yanked open the car’s passenger-side door and shoved Simone inside. “Climb into the driver’s seat.”

“What?”

“Shut up and move over. You’re driving.” He motioned her to the driver’s side with the barrel of the gun. “Hurry.”

Heart sinking, she scrambled to the driver’s seat, strapped on her seatbelt, and pushed the start button. “Where are we going?”

“Interstate 40 West. We’re leaving this little town in our rearview mirror.”

Simone’s watch vibrated. Her screen remained dark, however. She breathed easier. Sawyer must have contacted Fortress. Thank goodness someone was tracking her. She did not know when Trevor would stop.

Somewhere along this journey, she’d escape. She must be ready. Jesse was everything to her, and she’d fight with every breath she had to go back to him. Simone wanted that life about which she’d only dreamed. The medic who held her heart was a key part of that dream. If he survived.

Pain ripped through Simone, almost paralyzing her in its intensity. No, she couldn’t think that way. If she did, she wouldn’t be able to help herself. Sawyer would take care of Jesse, and the man she loved would survive. She knew he would. He must. The alternative was unthinkable.

Trevor laughed suddenly.

“What’s so funny?” she snapped. The Jerk thought he was so clever. What she wouldn’t give to take him down a peg or two.

“Your boyfriend thought he was so tough. He died just like everyone else I’ve killed.”

Stunned, her head whipped his direction. “What did you say?”

“You heard me. He died as easy as everyone else I killed.”

“You killed other people?”

“What did you think, that I was an angel or something?”

Not in her wildest imagination did Simone believe Trevor would end someone’s life. “Who?”

He named three people from their old neighborhood in San Francisco, long-time friends.

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