Page 17 of Cooper's Command

She’d never outrun them. Not in a sedan on a dirt track that was little more than a goat trail. At best, she’d be lucky not to careen off the side of the hill. What looked like a nasty ride amidst trees and scrubby bushes.

Were they gaining? Those lights practically blinding her as she took the next turn, accelerating out the other side before slowing for the next. Dodging left when that first SUV tried to ram her bumper.

They’d definitely caught her, though she reclaimed a lead when she took the next bend far too fast, fishtailing through the gravel, the back right tire catching air as she slid along the edgeof the embankment. The sedan shimmied sideways, following the ridge line before the other tires finally got enough traction and pulled her back into the center of the road — allowed her stomach to settle.

Until her driver’s mirror exploded, bits of glass and metal spraying across the side of the car. And she knew the vehicle wouldn’t last much longer, even if she didn’t drive off the edge.

Which meant, going on the offensive.

It was nuts. Definitely on the list of poor decisions, but it was only a matter of time before they either shot out a tire or blew up her engine.

Nova punched the gas, using all the skills she’d picked up driving down two tracks in Columbia to keep the car somewhat straight as the vehicle caught some air, bouncing through more ruts before skidding sideways. She let it slide, using the maneuver to take the next corner faster than was likely safe before hitting the gas and shooting the car toward the inside edge. She got a foot away then stomped on the brakes, screeching to a halt as she shoved it into reverse and hit the gas again.

The sedan shot backwards, clipping the first SUV as it barreled around the corner, sending it careening sideways. The engine revved, shouts sounding above the grinding metal as the vehicle hit the edge of the embankment then continued over, quickly disappearing into the tangle of brush.

Not that she had time to celebrate. A quick shift and she was surging forward — getting a helping hand when the second SUV crashed into her back end — nearly sent her spinning off the road. Fate or dumb luck kept the vehicle going, more than a few lights blinking red on her dash. At least the direction of the impact kept the airbags from deploying. A minor positive since she didn’t have the means of cutting through the fabric.

Though, based on how the oil temp was climbing, the car wasn’t going to last that long, regardless.

More motivation to get a bit of distance then abandon the vehicle. Not that she’d make if far on foot even if she lost the assholes behind her. Simmons had likely already called in Paulin’s death, and she knew exactly how the bastard would spin it. The fact she’d left her phone on the floor beside the body would only add credence to Simmons’ claims. And with her career already on thin ice — Tate’s death hanging over her like a damn omen — it wouldn’t take much to convince her boss she’d cracked.

All of which left her with two choices…

Either she went it alone — hoped she could figure out who Simmons was working with and how far up the chain it went — or she swallowed her pride and asked for help. Prayed Cooper would believe her over whatever had gone out over the airwaves.

Nova grabbed the burner and dialed.

CHAPTER 5

“If I didn’t knowany better, I’d swear you were pouting, buddy.”

Cooper brushed Bellamy’s hand off his shoulder when his best friend slid onto the stool beside him, pushing a cup of coffee his way. “I’m not pouting. I’m thinking.”

“Then, you’re thinking about pouting because you’ve got one hell of a sour ass look on your face.” Bellamy took a swig from his mug. “She’ll be fine. She’s going to the DEA office, not some warehouse full of mercs like she probably did in Bogotá.”

“You’re shit at cheering people up, you know that?”

“It’s a gift.” Bellamy sighed when Cooper shook his head. “This isn’t about the investigation, is it?”

Cooper merely shrugged.

Bellamy turned in his seat. “It was a knee-jerk reaction.”

Cooper scrubbed his hand down his face, glancing at Bellamy. “What are you on about now?”

“Nova’s frustration over getting pulled from Columbia. It isn’t a reflection on how she feels about you.”

“Like hell it’s not.”

“Coop. Trust me. She’s crazy about you.”

“It’s not that I doubt she has feelings of me, it’s just…” He closed his eyes as he blew out a rough breath. This was way too close to all the reasons he’d had for not pushing their relationship the past few years. Why he’d thought getting seriously involved with Nova could be a critical mistake. Especially when he’d known from their first date that she was different. Had the potential to be far more than a temporary distraction. He just wished it didn’t feel as if she’d already left.

Cooper took a sip of his drink. “She’s an undercover agent.”

“So?”

“So, how often do you think she’ll get the chance to do that kind of work here? Sure, the odd case might crop up, but it won’t be like Columbia, where she couldn’t throw a bag of cocaine without hitting a cartel asshole.” He shook his head. “This isn’t the life she signed up for.”

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