Page 134 of Steel

Pulling Austin out of view from the window, I hold him against the house and look out at the desert. There’s nothing for miles except an empty shed in the distance, and I decide we can head in that direction first to at least provide some cover for us. Past that is the slightest change in elevation and what appears to be a road winding around the property. I don’t know how far away civilization is or where the road leads, but our only chance is to make a run for it.

“You ready?” I grip Austin’s hand.

He bites his lip, nodding.

“We’ve got this.” I force a smile. “Don’t turn back and don’t stop for anything, you understand?”

My temples throb, and my eyes burn. I want to cry or scream, but I can’t. For Austin, I need to be strong.

“Let’s go.”

We hurry across the empty yard, and the ground is rough on my feet, but I try to ignore it. It wouldn’t have been any easier running in flip-flops.

“This way.” I point toward the shed at the back of the property as voices inside the house get louder, and I assume Dimitri figured out we’re gone.

We reach the shed, and I freeze, pulling Austin against the side of the building, when a set of headlights flashes on the road. They turn off before getting to the house, and I can’t tell whether it’s more of Dimitri’s men or someone else.

Austin’s chest heaves with every breath as I hold him against me. Panic swells in my chest no matter how muchI fight it off. And just as I’m about to take another step, a bang rings out in the desert.

Men start shouting, and gunfire sounds.

“Jameson.” Austin looks up at me.

I plant my finger over my lips. “Shh. We don’t know.”

We can only hope.

I hold Austin against the side of the shed as more screams are followed by gunshots. It could be Jameson, but it could also be any other rival club.

Pulling Austin’s back to the building, I motion for him to be quiet so I can peek around the corner.

“Where do you think you’re running off to?”

Dimitri’s voice comes from behind me as fingers tangle in the back of my hair. He yanks so hard my scalp burns, and tears sting my eyes. He pulls me back, and just as he does, I get a look at a man running in the distance.

He’s too far away to see who he is, but I spot the skull and wings. I clearly make out the crown and Twisted Kings lettering.

Jameson and his men found us.

I fight with everything I have. Scratching Dimitri and kicking him with my heels. He won’t let go, but I’m no longer scared to fight and yell now that I know Jameson is here. As long as I can keep Dimitri distracted, I can save my brother.

Jameson will find him.

He’ll keep him safe.

“Austin, run!”

38

Steel

Gunshots sound as IronSinners spill out of the house, trying to make a run for it. They’re taken down one by one by my men guarding the perimeter.

Inside, Havoc and Ghost sweep the rooms, putting down anyone who points a gun at us. A few are restrained with zip ties to see if we can get any information out of them, but overall, it’s a bloodbath.

“Clear.”

“Clear.”

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