Page 145 of Haze of Obedience

She sighs. "I was trying to be nice."

"It's not safe."

"Fine. I won't do it again. Sorry." She looks at the mattress.

Don't get into a fight over him.

I slide down and pull her with me. "No, I'm sorry. Let's just get some sleep, and hopefully, we can get our passports and out of here tomorrow. Bermuda is calling our names."

"Okay."

She sleeps in my arms all night. I get little, not fully trusting Clayton and reminding myself that Tinker wouldn't have sent me here if he wasn't reliable.

When morning comes, we step out of the van when a car skids into the driveway next to us, and two men get out.

Zoe's eyes widen, and I try to hide her, but it's no use. Besides her orange hair, there's nothing to disguise her.

"Look what we got here. Zoe Diego," one of the men yells. His black hair touches his shoulders, and he has two scars on his cheek.

"I thought you died you've been out of the spotlight for so long," the other man says. He's in a black tank top with a gold chain. His hair is slicked back into a ponytail, and his teeth are crooked.

I try to come up with the right reply, but I pause too long, and my delivery comes out flat.

"She's not Zoe Diego. She just looks like her."

"Nice try." The other man steps forward.

I step in front of Zoe and feel her shake against me.

My guns in my bag. Shit. Why did I leave it in the van?

"Clayton," I holler.

"Why are you calling for him? We just want a look at the famous superstar." He comes closer.

"Clayton," I scream again.

He moves closer, and I push Zoe further behind me while keeping my eyes locked on his. "Get in the van."

The sound of the door slamming hits my ears. As soon as it does, I step toward him. "It's best you get out of here and don't speak of this."

"Or what?" he seethes.

Where is Clayton? Why isn't he coming out here?

My gun is in the van.

"You're messing with the wrong man," I warn him, balling my hand into a fist.

Both men come within three feet of me. The man with the chain cracks his knuckles. "There's still a reward out for her."

The hairs on my neck stand up. I assess the situation to take both of them on at the same time when the other one starts walking around the van.

"Step back," I sternly warn him.

He doesn't listen.

I lunge toward him, but several loud gunshots ring through the air.

Maybe it's because I don't have my weapon on me, but I do the one thing I told Zoe never to do. I hesitate, briefly freezing. Zoe yells and I turn before pain sears in my back and upper thigh.

The last thing I see before everything goes black is Zoe. Her hand is pressed against the glass of the driver's window, and her tear-filled eyes are wide in horror as she screams my name.