It took every ounce of discipline he had to keep going forward to draw the men chasing him further away from Alex. He reminded himself that he’d taught his daughter well. She knew how to defend herself. Better still, she could drive like a demon. That’s why he’d insisted they take the Ducatis. With the smaller, faster motorcycles, they should be able to evade anyone pursuing them. It was James’ job to draw the bulk of the attackers after him.
He began a deadly game of cat and mouse that took them through every back street in the city. James knew them all. If he was lucky, his pursuers would know squat about the layout of the roads. His instincts proved correct and it didn’t take him long to lose them. But he knew they weren’t gone. They’d regroup, knowing that Alex would be heading toward Wolf Creek and the protection of the pack. James figured they’d give the city a final sweep and, if they turned up nothing, they’d head out to set up an ambush somewhere along the way. It’s what he’d do if he were in their situation.
Pulling slowly out from behind a building, he turned left and headed toward the downtown district. It was time to get down to business.
Alex’s heart was beating so hard she couldn’t hear anything else above the pounding rhythm. The motorcycle flew out of the garage just in time for her to see the tail end of the Mustang turn right at the end of the street. Her father was safe. She was safe. That was all that mattered.
The roar of a large caliber weapon being fired made her jump. Someone was shooting at her and Joshua. Well, what did she expect? These were obviously not the sort of people you reasoned with. A whiz off to her right startled her and she automatically jerked the bike in the other direction.
Swearing at herself, she struggled to regain control and keep from wiping out. She had to just ignore the shooting and drive. She didn’t even know if Joshua Striker was behind her and she didn’t dare look to find out. She had to trust he’d keep up. When she reached the end of the street she didn’t slow down as she turned left.
She felt something coming up on her right side and risked a quick glance. Sure enough, the other Ducati was hot on her heels. Leaning over the fast, aerodynamic vehicle, she led him through the streets of Chicago and finally into the heart of the city.
It hit her as she left the modest buildings of her neighborhood behind her that she might never be able to go back there again. The thought struck like a knife to her heart. It was the only home she’d ever known. She might never see Divine again. Mr. Bykowski at the bakery shop, where she picked up coffee and muffins every morning, would wonder what had happened to her. She didn’t have any really close friends, but she and her father were part of the very fabric of life of their little section of the city.
What would happen to her father’s garage? Unlocked as it was, it would probably be vandalized by the end of the day. What about her tiny apartment and all her things? She didn’t own a lot, but what she did own, she’d lovingly chosen. She’d spent years scrounging through thrift shops and consignment stores to find furniture and dishes that she loved.
Her vision blurred and she blinked hard to clear it. Now was not the time. Stuff could be replaced. After all, in the end it was just stuff. What mattered was that she and her father were safe. She didn’t dare think about the rest of it right now. She couldn’t afford to lose her focus.
She knew that putting it off wouldn’t change anything, but it would have to wait until she was safe. Then she knew she’d have to come to grips with the nightmare her life had suddenly become.
The bike jerked and the engine began to sputter. She was driving the motorcycle with the oil leak. When she glanced down, she saw flecks of dark liquid staining her jeans. Yup, there was no doubt about it. She’d just about reached the end of the line. Motioning Joshua up beside her, she pointed to the engine. He nodded and smoothly moved in front of her. She guessed that meant he wanted her to follow him.
She pushed the motorcycle as hard as she dared, knowing any moment could be its last. Finally, she had to pull over, reaching the curb just as the engine died. Joshua turned a corner, obviously not yet realizing she wasn’t following.
For a brief moment, fear filled her. She was truly alone. Her home and her life had been summarily ripped from her.
Taking a deep breath, she put down the kickstand and dismounted from the bike. Opening the side compartment, she dropped the keys inside. Slamming it shut, she stepped up onto the sidewalk and walked away without a backward glance. The city would eventually tow the bike and impound it. This was a good part of town so she wasn’t concerned about leaving it here, and it wasn’t as if anyone could drive off with it. It should be safe until her father hopefully got the chance to reclaim it.
She strode down the long strip of concrete, no particular destination in mind. It was a fine time to realize that she was the only one who didn’t know exactly where they were going. Where was Wolf Creek anyway? Not that it mattered. Joshua would probably turn back to look for her as soon as he noticed her missing. That is, unless one or more of those nasty men chasing them caught him. She shivered at the thought. In case something happened and he wasn’t able to come back for her, she needed to make a plan. She’d go to the library and look it up.
If she had to she would go into hiding on her own. She could get word to Divine, letting the other woman know where she was. Her father would look for her if she didn’t show up at Wolf Creek. He would check with everyone in the old neighborhood and Divine would be able to give him her location.
Now that she had a plan, she felt better. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten her muffin this morning. She was hungry and she needed coffee. With everything that had happened, she still hadn’t had hers yet. Maybe it was stupid to be focused on such a mundane thing, but it was the best she could do right now. Looking around, she spotted a likely establishment. She’d get her order to go and keep moving in the same direction Joshua was headed. Hopefully, she’d be able to find him.
She glanced inside to check out the interior before pulling open the steel and glass door and stepping inside. The heat from the kitchen hit her, reminding her that she was still wearing the leather jacket. It was already heating up outside as the sun rose higher in the sky. She started to unzip the jacket only to remember she was wearing a gun strapped to her hip. She casually pulled the zipper up again, hoping no one had caught a glimpse of it. She’d definitely take her order to go. The quicker the better.
Thankfully, the service was quick. Alex paid for her order and was heading back out the door within five minutes of entering. Raising the cup to her mouth, she took a sip, sighing in pleasure as the dark, rich brew slid down her throat. It was heaven. It was normal and everyday, which was exactly what she needed.
A heavy hand descended on her shoulder. She didn’t stop to think. She dropped the brown paper bag she was holding. Pivoting on one heel, she tossed her paper cup at her attacker, letting the hot liquid fly over him.
“Fuck!”
Too late she realized it was Joshua and right now he looked none too happy. Coffee stained his shirt and dripped down his jaw. Well, too bad for him. She wasn’t happy either. Her fresh cup of coffee was all over the sidewalk. Thankfully, his fast reflexes had kept him from being hit too badly by the hot spray. Unfortunately, his foot had landed on her breakfast.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Wrapping his hands over her shoulders, he tugged her to him. She thought he might shake her, but his fingers dug into the heavy leather jacket as he stared down at her, dark eyes snapping with anger. “You were supposed to stay right behind me, not stop for coffee. Of all the asinine things to do. This isn’t a game you know.” The last was said with a mixture of anger and exasperation, but beneath it she could hear the tinge of fear. For that reason alone, she held onto her own temper, which was hanging by a very thin thread.