Page 169 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

“What?”

“Get out!”

“The hell I—”

Petry grabbed him by the shirt and tugged him out of the car, then he took the seat. Before Sticks could get back to his feet, the door closed, and the lock engaged.

“Hey!”

The engine started.

“Sorry,” Petry said, not sounding sorry at all.

He put the car in gear and sped away.

—

Stone raced the Audi up the driveway and skidded onto the street.

“Viv said they were set up off the next road,” Dino said.

Just as they reached the intersection, a black BMW squealed around the corner onto their road.

It whizzed past, but Stone caught a quick look at the driver. “That’s Petry!”

He spun the Audi in a one-eighty and hit the gas.

“You’re sure?” Dino asked.

“Positive.”

Dino contacted Viv on the radio and reported what was happening.

“I’ll let the police know,” she said. “Teddy’s heading out in his Porsche, so he shouldn’t be too far behind you.”

“Copy,” Dino said.

Stone glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the single light of a motorcycle gaining on them. “We’ve got company.”

“That’s not a police bike,” Dino said.

The motorcycle came up fast and went around them on the driver’s side. The rider wasn’t wearing a helmet and didn’t even glance at them.

“Isn’t that the guy who chased Tristan from the Roosevelt?” Dino said. “The one who works for Simon?”

Stone nodded, having also made the connection. “Phillip Pierce.”

“Maybe he’s working for Petry, too.”

Phillip pulled a gun out from under his jacket and aimed it at the BMW.

“If he is,” Stone said, “I don’t think he’s satisfied with the terms of his employment.”

The gun flashed and the BMW swerved slightly but didn’t slow.

“Are you armed?” Dino asked.

“Uhh…”

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