Page 86 of Secret Mission

"Just peachy," she mutters as the car lurches. With a shake of her head, she makes a face. "Love being chased half-naked through crowded city streets. Let me guess, we’re going to have to make a run for it if we get cornered."

Despite the situation, I have to smile about her resilience as I twist to look behind us. We’re gaining ground. Luck stays with us, and we’ll get away.

“I’ve got something else for you.”

“Please tell me it’s a pair of pants.”

“Sorry, but it’s a jacket.”

“Of all the days not to wear panties. I swear, I’ll never make that mistake again.”

We’ll have to discuss that later. Because I like her without. A whole fucking lot.

Smirking, I shove a hand into the bottom of the bag I scavenged from the back of the truck.

She snatches the black and gray camo jacket out of my hand, but she’s also smiling as she shoves her arms in and zips it over the gown and the tactical vest. “I could kiss you right now.”

“We’d probably break our teeth. I’ll take a raincheck.”

I have to force myself to look away. As fucked up as this situation is, she’s cute as hell.

God. I’ve got it bad.

When she’s settled into the seat again with the coat zipped to her neck, she says, “Tell me they’re getting burned by this crappy sedan.”

“Definitely. Justice is like Dale Earnhardt, Jr. today.” I lean between the seats. “Bro, we’re about to shake them. Let’s run them in circles, then head to the farm.”

“Roger that. Which way do you want to go?”

“Take that alley coming up."

The sedan bounces through a gutter and shoots into a side street. The light above us cuts out immediately. Trash cans line the sides, leaving just enough room for the car.

No sun gets in here. And neither do any oversized SUVs.

"Ha!" Justice shakes his fist as he barks out a laugh. "Eat that, assholes! Remember these Camry tail lights in your nightmares."

I exhale and lean back. “Fuck. Let’s not get too excited yet, but we’re close.”

Only, as it always seems to happen on ops, the relief is short-lived. A second black vehicle appears at the other end of the alley. Blocking the exit.

"Premature celebration. Equally as bad as premature ejaculation." The car lurches as Justice slams on the brakes. "There could be more of them too. Bad guys come in baker’s dozens, it seems."

He’s right, and we both know what that means.

“Call Beast. This just got a lot more serious. But they’re not getting us.”

I stab the buckle on her belt with my thumb, releasing it, drag a gasping Allison across the seat and sling the door open.

The stench of garbage rolls over us like toxic fog.

Justice keeps his voice low as he speaks to Beast on the phone. The sound of the conversation filtering into my head.Our comms gear connects to the phone when in range, so I’m copied on the call.

There’s a lot of cursing on Beast’s end. But it’s quickly matched by mine.

“Fuck, boys. We got boots on the pavement. Three men just got out of the second car. Let’s go.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven