Page 62 of Sweet Retribution

I don’t question him and bang a hard left down a narrow dirt path. Rocks and thick tree roots have us rocking and bouncing like a fucking roller coaster. Marco grunts in pain from the backseat. He’s trying to muffle his groans, but I can hear them. I’m an asshole for not getting him treatment right now, but I know he’d refuse it anyway. Not until we find Gia.

“Shit. I lost service again. I’m pretty sure I can get us there.”

“Pretty sure isn’t good enough,” I snap.

“We’ll find her, boss.”

Yeah, but will it be too late?

***

Istumble as I jumpout of the car, but I don’t let it slow me down. I run away from the water towards the woods. At least I have that going for me. I have to run as long and as far as I can, then I’ll find cover.

I hear Antonio and his man on the dirt path. They’re cursing me, ordering me to stop. When a shot rings out, stirring up the dirt in front of me, I instinctively cover my head, but don’t slow down. I hike up my skirt so my legs can move faster, and as soon as I hit the tree line, I zig zag right, then left. I search for the thickest area of trees and head for it, crouching as low as I can in my run.

Shots continue to ring out, and I startle when I hear bullets pierce the bark of the trees nearby. Antonio is not physically fit, and from what I could tell from the driver, he’s not in the best shape, but not overweight either. However, just because someone isn’t overweight doesn’t mean they can run. I pray both men haven’t seen the inside of a gym or laced up a pair of sneakers in a long time.

My feet burn. They’re scraped, poked, and bleeding. Adrenaline and pure fear rip through my veins giving me speed and energy that I wouldn’t have in normal circumstances. My mind shifts to running alongside Stone through his vineyards. His long legs forcing me to move at a faster speed than him, and him teasing me about being slow.

I hang on to those memories and use them as motivation to keep moving, even though my quads are on fire and my feet ache. Branches and brush scratch at my arms and legs. I catch a twig to my eye, and it burns and waters, but I keep moving.

The shots continue to ring out, but they’re further away. I haven’t looked over my shoulder once, afraid it will slow me down, afraid to see how close they are. I hear more shots, and then quiet.

I continue running but slow my pace a little as I scoot down a small hill. It buys me some covering for a moment as I scan for a place to hide. There are thick trees everywhere I look. I haven’t come across a trail or a road, not that I’ll take one and risk being in plain sight. I have no idea how dense the woods are or for how far they go.

It could be a forest of thousands of acres. I think back to the arial view from the plane. I don’t remember seeing a major forest of any type. That gives me hope of reaching the end before nightfall.

I slow to a fast walk and weave my way through brush, not knowing where I’m going. Anywhere but back. Away from Antonio. Away from the gunshots.

And hopefully, I’ll find Stone waiting for me on the other side.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The blue ocean andendless horizon finally come into view. A boat is parked by a dock and a black SUV nearby.

“Got service but she’s not showing up. Gia must be out of range.”

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