Page 86 of Unlawful Seduction

All the while, Mallory was watching me, the reality of my world finally sinking in.

After climbing on behind her and donning the goggles, I squeezed her arm before starting the engine. Thankfully, the security system had kept the fuckers from hijacking the only way off the mountain.

The engine roared to life and there was no time to waste. I sped through the opening. I knew the area like the back of my hand, once again weaving my way through the dense foliage as I headed for the newly formed path.

I pressed down on the accelerator, constantly scanning the area in front of us. The foreboding remained, the intensity furrowing in the back of my mind. Something caught my eye and I slowed, shifting in an arc and finally idling as I looked back from where we came.

“What?” she asked.

“Hush. Listen.”

She craned her neck, hugging Jax tightly. I licked my lips as I tried to catch my breath.

“So dark,” she whispered hoarsely.

I could see nothing out of the ordinary. Then suddenly there was a light from the distance. Not bright, but distinct.

With my foot on the gas pedal, I took off once again, shifting around one tree then another. I had one arm wrapped around the two of them as I maneuvered, fighting to gain as much ground as possible before we were trapped.

We were almost out of light and I was forced to turn on the headlights. As soon as I did, I sensed I’d placed a target on our backs.

Sounds roared from what seemed like every corner, engines roaring as vehicles of different types approached.

“What’s happening?” she yelled.

“We’re surrounded. Hold on tight, babe.” My throat remained tight, enough so a lump had formed from the extreme tension. I managed to keep my full concentration. Until I heard a gunshot. There was no other sound like it, the distinct noise cutting through the din of the engine with ease.

She didn’t budge and I certainly couldn’t hear any sound coming from her. I pressed on, reaching the path without incident.

But they were closing in on us. Lights were off to both sides as the assholes did what they could to cage us in. I wasn’t going to allow that to happen. I hit the accelerator again, pushing the beast I’d all but built from scraps of fucking metal, ultimately putting in a supercharged engine to replace the one I’d considered subpar. I was grateful I’d done that. Wind whipped at us as I turned toward the main path, forced to keep my concentration solely on the road.

We were gaining some headway, one mile turning into a second.

But our luck was fading, the lights on both sides appearing closer. The fuckers were taking extreme chances, which meant they were reckless as hell or knew the area. I refused to back off, glancing over my shoulder every so often.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

The pinging sound meant at least one bullet had hit the back of the snowmobile. I gritted my teeth, veering off the path once again, weaving around tree after tree.

They kept coming. There were at least four of them. I had to lighten the odds, or we’d never make it.

“Don’t move!” I yelled as I slowed the vehicle, the skid skating to a stop. I jumped off immediately, thumping down in the snow. I grabbed the small flashlight from my pocket, taking position with my weapon and the light cradled in both hands. Thankfully, I didn’t need to wait long.

An ATV came roaring out from the shadows. I flicked on the light. All I needed was a couple of seconds.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

I powered off four shots in a row, all direct hits, including hitting the driver right between the eyes. Shit, the fucking machine kept coming. He was slumped over the console, his foot obviously stuck on the gas pedal.

And he was coming right this way.

Another series of gunshots proved at least one of the two fuckers was alive.

I managed to jump to my feet, pitching my body to the side a split second before the ATV came roaring over where I’d just been squatting. The recreational vehicle was picking up speed. Seconds later, it hit a fallen tree limb and was pitched into the air. I followed the trail as the ATV flew over my head, the rider tumbling to the earth.

I wasted no time, racing toward where he’d fallen, firing off several shots directly into the man’s face. My actions had been quick enough I was able to catch the bright orange ball of fire seconds after the engine had exploded.

Stretching, I wiped my face as I took a deep breath. But it was short lived. Another vehicle, this time a truck was headed in my direction. This one would be a long shot. I raced toward the sound, trying to keep my arms steady as the driver rounded a corner. I swung the light onto the windshield. From what I could tell, there was only a driver.

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