Page 18 of Matrix

“Fuck!”

I hit the gas and race toward them. Daisy swerves to avoid being shot at, but it’s pointless. The guy’s semi-auto shoots a barrage of bullets at the SUV. She’s alone and unarmed, unable to fight back. I put her in this position by taking away her weapon. Since I discovered her secret, she hasn’t shown any disloyalty, so there’s no reason to think this is a setup. She’s under attack.

Pulling my gun from my cut, I make an evasive maneuver around the last car between me and my target. I shove my gun out the window and fire. Hitting anything at this speed with a pistol will be nearly impossible, but I’m not worried about that. All I need is this asshole’s attention.

The guy slams on the brakes. I’m still flying forward when I get parallel with his truck. I glance to the side. I’d recognize the guy’s cut anywhere. He’s a Demon Rider.

A sharp bend in the road catches my attention. Although I’ve got snow tires on this truck, black ice sends it skidding toward the side of the mountain. I turn the wheel to correct the slide and fishtail through a muddy snowbank on the side of the road until the wheels finally find purchase. I blast back onto the highway, but my momentum is gone. The Demon Rider pulls up beside me and shoots out my back windows. I hit the brakes and fire a shot through his passenger side window, which splinters into a million shards of glass.

The driver jerks the truck toward the opposite side of the highway. A steep drop looms. He narrowly misses plunging over the edge. Overcorrecting, he slams his truck into the side of mine. We’re locked together as we speed around the next turn.

I’ve got a few shots left, so I must make them count. The first one pings off the road, but the second hits its mark. The front tire explodes. The truck loses control, crossing in front of me, clipping my bumper, and sending us straight into the side of the mountain. Metal screams as it scrapes against exposed granite. A jutting rock rips off my side mirror before shattering the windows.

When the Demon Rider’s truck finally rolls to a stop in front of me, I jump out and run to the driver’s door. I pull it open and grab the dazed man by his hair. Slamming his face into the side of the truck, I miss the sound of another vehicle’s arrival.

“Stop! Stop! You’re going to kill him!” I look up to find Daisy running toward us.

“He almost killed you. He almost killed us.”

“We need to know why.”

She’s right, but the rage coursing through my body fuels my fists. I throw several punches, then step back as the Demon Rider collapses.

Another truck parks behind mine. Scar jumps out. “Who the fuck is that guy?”

“Look at his cut.” I spit out a mouthful of blood. I didn’t even realize I had a busted lip until the metallic taste slid across my tongue.

“He tried to shoot me,” Daisy says.

“And kill me,” I add, wiping blood from my lips.

“Let’s get him in the truck and take him back to the clubhouse. We need to know why he shot at you.” Scar grabs the guy under the shoulders while I hoist him up by his knees. He’s deadweight but easy enough to carry. All those hours in the clubhouse gym sure as fuck paid off. “Have Daisy drive you back. Your ride’s shot. I’ll send Reaper and Talon to clean this mess up. Meet me in the basement.”

“Will do, pres.”

Daisy rushes forward and wraps her arms around me. “Oh, God. I thought you were dead.”

“You think they can send just one guy to attack you?” I snort. “Not a chance, babe.” I hook my arm around her shoulders and walk her back to the SUV she was driving.

“You’re in no condition to get us back to the clubhouse,” she says as she slides into the driver’s seat.

“Fine.” I’m glad she offered because I need to be on the lookout for more Demon Riders. Until we’re safely back at the clubhouse, we’re in danger.

As she heads down the mountain toward the clubhouse, I scan the trucks passing us. No one seems interested in us. We don’t encounter any additional gunmen before making it home safely.

“We need to patch up your lip.” Daisy parks in front of the clubhouse. “And change. There’s blood everywhere.”

“Don’t worry. I’m as clean as a whistle. Nothing to catch. Also, there’s no time to get pretty. We’ve got someone to interrogate.”

“We?” She turns to look at me.

“Yeah. You’re coming with me.” I push open the door and get out of the SUV. When she doesn’t immediately follow, I narrow my gaze. “Move!”

“I can’t watch you break the law.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“You’re going to torture him.”

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