Page 40 of Ruthless

Another big jolt has more metal grinding behind me. The ass end of my truck fishtails as we skid across four lanes, leaving more tread of my tires behind. I grit my teeth as I jerk the steering wheel to straighten out. My truck better hold up on us a bit longer.

Then shit goes from bad to worse. Loud pops go off—a few ping off the tailgate. One hits the rear window of my cab, and it shatters, sending shards of glass everywhere. The next one nails Kennedy’s side mirror.

“Fuckers are armed.” I reach out and cup the back of Kennedy’s head. “Give me the phone and get down, Ken.”

She’s in shock but manages to do as I tell her and scoots down lower in her seat.

“Hang tight. We’re almost there. Five minutes out.” Connor’s voice is calm, but I can hear the tightness in it. He’s as pissed off as I am about his sister being shot at.

“We don’t have five minutes.” It’s taking everything I have not to lose my shit on him right now, but every second counts.

“Head toward our dad’s place. It’s closer to you and safer than Ken’s apartment. Take the next street on your right and then the first left. HIs house will be at the end of that.” Connor’s issuing orders at me, and under any other circumstance, I’d bite his head off, but in this case, it’s warranted.

“On my way.” With my left hand gripping the wheel, I turn right down the street he mentioned.

Kennedy has grown quiet next to me, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. “Talk to me, Hummingbird. How are you doing?”

“I don’t want to die.” She sniffles into her hands.

“We won’t. I promise.” At least I fucking hope not. “We’re almost to your dad’s, and you’ll be safe.” I keep my voice calm, but my heart is pounding against my chest inside. It’s another two minutes before we can reach Finn’s place, and a lot can happen in that time.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the SUV making its way to Kennedy’s side of the truck. The rear driver side window is cracked, and the reflection of metal peeks out. Another pop goes off, and Kennedy’s window shatters. She screams as shards of glass rain down on her back.

“What was that?” Connor asks.

“They’re firing at us again. They just hit Ken’s window.”

“Motherfeckers,” Rory shouts through the phone.

“How’s your aim, Ken?” I glance down at her before sweeping my eyes back on the road.

“What?” Her voice goes up an octave at my question.

“Can you shoot, Hummingbird?” I hope Finn prepared her for the trouble his lifestyle brings.

“Yes.” Thank fuck for that.

“Good. Reach down on the floorboard between your legs and grab my gun.” I don’t want her involved in whatever this is, but they leave me no choice. I rather her take one of them out instead of her lying in wait for one of their shots to get her.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see her crouch down into position and aim at the SUV.

“Aim at the driver, Ken.” I struggle to keep my voice calm, but inside I’m ready to tear that fucker’s head off.

“Are you sure?” She hesitates with her hands crouched out in front of her.

“I’m sure.” That should buy us some time. Worst-case scenario, they lose control of the vehicle if she nails him and runs into us. Of course, I’m not telling her that. She needs all her focus and not to be distracted by what-if scenarios.

Kennedy aims, and I hear the gunfire. She hits the window, but it bounces off.

“Shit.” My palm slams down against the steering wheel.

“What’s wrong?” Connor asks.

“They have bulletproof windows.” I should have seen that coming.

“It’ll be fine. Teegan can see you.” Connor’s voice is a slight relief in this clusterfuck of an afternoon. He pauses for a brief second as Rory tells him something. “Fuck.”

“Fuck what?” That’s never a good fucking sign.

---