Page 47 of Final Sins

“Now,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye, “how about we figure out how to give these jerks a taste of their own medicine?”

Alex’s answering grin was all the response he needed. The tide had finally turned in their favor.

25

Time to move.

Jason eyed the mountainside, assessing their precarious position. The narrow turnout barely accommodated both vehicles, leaving them exposed.

“We need to leave the SUV. I sort of borrowed it,” he confessed, holding out his hand. “Gimme the keys to the Mustang. It’s more maneuverable on these roads anyway.”

Alex hesitated for a moment, then dropped the keys into his palm. Her earlier fury had simmered into a wary cooperation. He knew because he felt the same.

He transferred his go bag to the Mustang, running through a mental sitrep. Assets: one speedy vehicle, two operatives, limited supplies, a handful of weapons, and no immediate backup. Liabilities: an unknown number of hostiles, his wound, which left him less than a hundred percent physically, and a severe lack of intel. Objectives: find secure location, establish contact with home base, and formulate a counter-strategy against Seven-Five.

The Mustang’s engine roared to life, a sound both comforting and dangerous in the mountain quiet. Jason guidedthe car down the winding road, hyperaware of every bend and potential ambush point.

“Where to now?” Alex broke the tense silence.

He considered their limited options. “There’s a small town about twenty miles south. We can hole up there and regroup. At the very least, we need to ditch the Mustang.”

As they descended the far side of the mountain, the SUV grew smaller in the distance, a metallic marker of the first battle. He prayed that by the time the attackers returned, he and Alex would be so far away they’d be impossible to track down.

The rumble of the engine and the occasional crackle of gravel under the tires punctuated the silence between them. His hands were steady on the wheel, but his mind whirled with calculations and contingencies.

He glanced at Alex, noting the tension in her jaw, the way she scanned their surroundings with the same intensity as his own. Despite their earlier conflict, he felt a grudging respect. Whatever else she might be, the woman was a professional.

As the mountain road gave way to more level terrain, Jason allowed himself a small breath of relief. They weren’t safe, not by a long shot, but they’d bought themselves some time.

Now, they needed to make it count.

She cleared her throat. “Jason, I ... I’m sorry,” she said, her voice barely audible over the engine. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions about you.”

Her admission surprised him. “I’m just as guilty. We both got played.”

She nodded, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.

Rounding yet another bend, he spotted a rustic roadside hamburger joint half a click up the road. The parking lot was half-full of cars. He pulled the Mustang off the road, carefully maneuvering it under the cover of thick coastal oaks.

Alex froze. “Why are we stopping?”

“We need to eat.” He killed the engine. “Plus, I need to check in with my team. They know I came after you. I wanted them aware in case things went sideways.”

Her face flushed red. “They’re going to think I’m an idiot.”

“They won’t,” he assured her, his voice softening. “We’ve all been in your shoes. More than once. They understand how this game works. Come on, let’s grab some food.”

They settled into a secluded booth with a view of the front door. A weary-looking waitress took their orders, returning quickly with two ice-filled sodas. The minute she disappeared, Jason pulled out his phone, but before he could begin the text, the device chimed. Bridger’s name flashed on the screen.

“It’s Bridger,” he told Alex and answered the video call.

“Wait!” She held up her hand. “If my phone’s compromised, yours could be, too.”

He bit back a laugh. The woman was sharp, but she didn’t know the depth of talent and experience on his team. “Hang on,” he said to Bridger and turned toward her. “Normally, I’d agree with you, but my people are seriously good at this stuff. And my phone hasn’t left my possession.”

“I second that.” Bridger’s face filled the screen, concern etched in his features. “Jason, we need a sitrep.”

“Copy that. I’m here with Alex.” Jason angled the phone so Alex and Bridger could see each other. “It’s complicated, Bridge. We’re okay, but?—”

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