Page 127 of Scarlet Angel

“Gone a split second and you land the world’s biggest bounty for your neck,” the American says.

“Who—” I begin.

“Let’s wait till we’re secure,” Tristan says.

“Aye, aye,” Nick answers.

On autopilot, I hold the mobile up with the map expanded so Nick can see. He takes the device from me and holds it in front of him with one hand, the other on the wheel, studying the grid.

A concrete weight settles over me. My hands grow clammy.

“As you get closer to the city, there will be more cameras and, apparently, about a thousand lookie-loos searching the cams for you. So much for security of the CCTV. I’m going to send you a direct route without cams. If you stray at all, you’ll show up,” a different English voice says, definitely not American and not Tristan.

“You know, it’s the tags most of those cams will be clocking. You said you had a spare?” Tristan asks.

“I do,” Nick says.

“Pull over and switch that out. It might buy you some distance. Lots of intersections are wider feed, but out where you are, systems are more limited.”

Nick whips the car to the side, onto a dirt road that leads to what looks to be a private residence.

Nick hops out. I’ve got a handgun in one hand and a mobile in the other. The hum of voices from the team filters through the speaker.

Nick buried Leo and Willow. He buried them. Their deaths made the daily. But the man on the speaker sounds so much like… But it can’t be, can it? It wouldn’t make sense.

It’s just wishful thinking; my brain playing tricks on me. That’s it. The stress of bombs and people coming at us. The adrenaline. It’s screwing with me. Or…Nick lied. Now’s not the time to lose focus.

The car door slamming startles me.

Gravel spins beneath the tires, and we lurch forward.

“Is there a closer location for a switch?” Nick asks.

“We have size requirements,” Tristan says. “And we want to do this in a concealed environment.”

“Satellites,” Nick says, more to himself.

I want to ask what he’s talking about, but I’m stunned. And it’s not useful to ask questions at the moment.

If Leo is alive, is Willow? If they’re both alive, who are these people?

Headlights appear up ahead. The closer we get to the city, headlights will be everywhere.

Headlights from the rear flash in the side view.

“All right. You’ve got company,” Tristan says.

I squeeze the handle on my pistol and undo my safety belt.

“They’re going to accompany you on your way. Act as a diversion if needed and defense. Two more in transit. Word from tech is there are no bites. You’re in the wind.”

“Don’t curse us, mate.”

“What’s that?”

“Save the shite for after we’re safe. Keep the bad luck at bay.”

“Are you superstitious?” Tristan asks.

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