Page 60 of Claim Me
“Always. How do you feel about making a day trip? It’s time for a party.”
His sigh brought a smile to my face. “How many in attendance?”
“Oh, I’d say at least twenty-five.”
“Then I’ll bring the larger plane.”
After paying for the items, I took my time loading up the trunk. I paid the men no attention, or so they believed. I’d read them like a book, including learning how many weapons they carried on their person. Of course they could have a backseat or trunk full of them, but they wouldn’t have the opportunity to highlight their wares.
I’d learned a long time ago that when going into any situation or unsecure location, alternative methods of ingress and egress were necessary. I’d taken enough time to learn the terrainsurrounding the area where Marissa lived to feel confident in taking a different route.
And I did, weaving my way through one residential area after another, my iPhone providing not only directions, but actual destinations.
They were doing their best to keep up with me. I had to laugh. To me this was child’s play.
When I was about two miles from a perfect area to deal with the assholes, I pressed down on the accelerator. If only I had my GTO with me, the chase would be fun. As I rounded several curves at a high rate of speed, the fuckers finally realized I was attempting to elude them. With no roads to potentially cut me off, they were forced to weave back and forth while passing several vehicles.
The tires screeched as I made another turn, now less than a mile out from a less populated area. I had to rely on my driving skills and quick reactions, making turn after turn, hitting speeds in excess of one hundred miles per hour. As soon as I lost them briefly, I pulled into the parking lot of an abandoned gas station. Perfect.
Without bothering to cut the engine, I jumped out, racing into the street. I lifted my weapon with both hands, thankful I’d added a fresh magazine of ammunition.
The sound of tires screeching only a couple of blocks away put a smile on my face. I stood where I was in the middle of the street, grateful the sun would be in their eyes, but not in mine.
Both vehicles roared down the road, determined not to allow me to get away. I waited, counting down the seconds as they approached.
Just a couple of seconds longer.
Three.
Two.
One.
I fired indiscriminately, shifting from one side of the road to the other. The pings from bullets hitting metal assaulted my ears, glass from both windshields shattering. With a split second to spare, I jumped out of the way, toppling onto the ground and rolling. With both going at a high rate of speed, as soon as one veered off, crashing into a tree, I took a deep breath and turned in a full circle, my weapon still held with my arms straight out.
The driver of the other car managed to get off a single shot. After firing off two more shots, I dove out of the line of fire with a split second to spare.
A loud popping sound caught my attention. Smoke rolled from underneath the first vehicle, already engulfing the chassis. Within seconds, I noticed a flame.
Just then, the other came to a partial rolling stop before hitting a tree on the passenger side. Maybe the fucker inside was dead, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
Taking long strides, I raked one hand through my hair. Just as I approached, the driver struggled to open the door. I jogged the rest of the way, jerking him out by his shirt. While I’d enjoy nothing more than spending time with the bloodied man while he cried for his mama, I couldn’t waste the time.
His eyes opened wide, the fucker grinning as I drove the barrel of my gun under his chin.
Pop! Pop!
Even before the light faded from his eyes, I tossed him aside, taking a quick look inside the front. In the accident, a file on his passenger seat had spilled the contents, several pictures of Marissa covering the entire seat. At home. In concert. At the grocery store.
And in her dressing room.
A dark growl left my lips and I smashed the window with my weapon, clearing the glass with my arm and reaching inside. I grabbed several, shoving them into my jacket pocket.
The loud boom from behind me sent debris scattering to within a few inches of where I was standing.
While controlling the burning rage, I turned toward the other vehicle. The entire frame was engulfed in flames. No one had survived.
Sighing, I took a deep breath while ensuring there was no one else waiting in the shadows. Satisfied, I returned to my car, pulling out my phone as I did.
