The car sped down the highway, the city lights flashing past in streaks of white and red. The tension inside was suffocating.
Vincent kept glancing at the rearview mirror. "Two black SUVs. They've been on us since we left the airport."
Dominic's jaw tightened. "Matteo?"
"Could be. Or someone worse," Vincent muttered.
Elijah sat up straighter. "Worse? Who the hell could be worse?"
Dominic didn't answer. Instead, he pulled a gun from his holster, checking the magazine before clicking it back into place.
Adrian's eyes widened. "Okay. Nope. No way. Why do you have a gun?"
Dominic glanced at him like he was an idiot. "Because I'm not planning to die tonight."
Adrian let out a nervous laugh. "Right. Great. Love that." He turned to Elijah. "You seriously live like this?"
Elijah didn't answer—because, honestly, he didn't know how to.
Vincent turned sharply onto a side road, trying to lose their tail. But the SUVs followed, accelerating.
"Shit," Vincent muttered. "They're not backing off."
Dominic leaned forward. "Turn left. Head to the warehouse district."
Vincent obeyed without hesitation.
Elijah frowned. "Why the hell are we going there?"
"Less civilians. More cover."
"You mean more places for us to get shot at?"
Dominic smirked. "Exactly."
Elijah groaned. "Why am I even here?"
Dominic's gaze darkened. "Because you belong to me."
Elijah opened his mouth to argue, but then the first bang shattered the car's back window.
"Shit!" Adrian yelled, ducking.
Vincent swerved violently, the tires screeching against the asphalt. "They're shooting at us!"
"No kidding," Elijah snapped, pressing himself down in his seat.
Dominic stayed eerily calm. He rolled down his window, aimed, and fired. The shot hit the SUV's front tire, sending it skidding.
"One down," Dominic muttered.
The second SUV sped up, ramming into them from behind. The impact jolted them forward.
Elijah cursed. "Vincent, do something!"
"I am doing something!" Vincent yelled, yanking the wheel and slamming on the brakes.
The sudden stop sent the SUV flying past them. Before their attackers could react, Dominic was out of the car, gun raised. He fired two precise shots—one hitting the driver, the other taking out the front tire. The SUV spun out of control, crashing into a metal fence.
Silence followed.
Adrian slowly peeked up from the back seat. "Uh… are we alive?"
Elijah sat up, heart pounding. "I think so."
Dominic shoved his gun back into his holster. "Let's go before more show up."
Elijah exhaled sharply, gripping his temples. "I really need a vacation."
Dominic smirked, sliding back into the car. "After I deal with Matteo, I'll take you anywhere you want, Eli."
Elijah rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the slight flush on his face.
Vincent pulled the car back onto the road, speeding off into the night.
But as they disappeared, a man stepped out from the wreckage of the SUV, wiping blood from his temple. He pulled out his phone and dialed.
"They escaped," he reported. "But they won't get far."
A deep voice responded on the other end.
"Good. Keep following them."
The man smirked. "With pleasure."
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