Page 172 of Soul So Dark

“Not now, Aiden.”

But he doesn’t acknowledge me, gaining on the Mustang with every second.

“Aiden.”

He’s gone, consumed by a shroud of wrath as thick as the grudge he holds. I glance back and forth between Aiden and the Mustang, trying to anticipate both their moves. Jay’s not the predator that Aiden is, but all animals are dangerous when backed into a corner. And he also has Hildy in his ear…

“He’s one of them, now,” I warn him. “You know he’s carrying and he won’t hesitate.”

Aiden’s nostrils flare, but he keeps his eyes trained on the Mustang. There’s no use trying to reason with him. I pull my gun from its holster and ready it at my knees, preparing for the very real possibility that I’m going to have to kill a cop tonight because Aiden’s having a moment. I would put Aiden in a chokehold instead, but I also don’t want to die in a fiery crash. Instead, I opt for a different approach.

Pivoting in my seat, I reach across and press my gun to the front of Aiden’s shoulder. His head moves slightly as he regards the barrel, but keeps pursuing the Mustang.

“You may be a contract killer, Alex, but are you really going to kill your best friend right now?”

“No, I’m not,” I reply. “But you already know that. Just like you know you won’t die from a bullet through your shoulder, which is why it’s more likely that Iwillshoot you if you don’t back the fuck off.”

“You’re going to shoot your best friend over Jay Rhinehardt?” he scoffs.

“If he kills us both, then Dallas is next,” I growl. “Remember why we’re here.”

Aiden’s riding Jay’s ass so hard that it would be a miracle if Jay didn’t notice. Though, he probably can’t see who’s in the Lexus through Aiden’s tint job. Before he can get close enough to tap Jay’s bumper and set off a catastrophic chain of events, he lets up on the gas and starts coasting. The Mustang shoots ahead, its tail lights getting smaller and smaller.

Slowly, I lower my gun, relieved that I didn’t actually have to put a bullet through Aiden. He’ll be salty, but as long as he doesn’t wreck the entire plan, I still consider tonight a success. The Lexus slows to the speed limit, then continues slowing. Finally, Aiden pulls off to the side of the road and brings the car to a halt. I assume he’s about to lay into me for pulling a gun on him, like I don’t want to hack Jay Rhinehardt to pieces and feed his rotting carcass to a pack of stray dogs, but instead he opens the center console and reaches inside.

I catch sight of the familiar shape of his Desert Eagle as he throws open the door and steps out of the Lexus. With an irritated groan, I jerk my door handle and follow.

“What the hell are you doing?” I call after him as he marches down the shoulder of the road.

He doesn’t answer, only continues toward a faint light in the distance like a moth to a flame. Even when I reach his side, he doesn’t seem to notice. Soon, the light comes into view and I realize it’s a lamp mounted on top of a brick pillar. And when we get even closer, I see a largeRetched into the concrete plate on its front and the driveway on the other side of it that leads into a dense tree line.

As usual, Aiden knows more than he lets on.

Without warning, I swing my arm around the front of his neck and hoist myself onto his back. I can’t go at him from the front, but catching him by surprise does the trick. Aiden stumbles backward and we both hit the dirt with a thud. I wrap my legs around his waist and tuck my other hand behind his head, applying pressure while he thrashes, trying to grab me.

“Was this just an excuse for you to finally come here?” I ask in a low, even tone.

“Kill two birds with one bullet,” he rasps from beneath my arm.

“Who do you think their first suspect will be?”

It doesn’t matter how much time passes, grudges last forever and the night skies here don’t forget the deeds done in the dark.

Aiden struggles, but I have the advantage of both strength and keeping my temper in check. I squeeze tighter as road debris scrapes against my back in his attempt to wrestle away from me. Finally, he starts to relax before I render him unconscious and have to figure out how to get his giant, limp body out of here before anyone sees us.

“Fine,” Aiden grunts.

I release him and he gives a couple of coughs as he stands up, his face still fixed in a scowl. I move to stand, keeping an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t decide to do anything stupid. But he doesn’t head for the car, he stays where he is, staring at the ground with his Desert Eagle still clutched in his fist and a vacant look behind his eyes.

Suddenly, he turns back toward the light in the distance.

“Aiden,” I bark before he can even take a step. “She’s gone, she’s not even here.”

Normally, I wouldn’t have brought this up. The passage of time has not been kind to him, and it hasn’t healed a damn thing. But regardless of whether Aiden’s my best friend, he’s about to wreck everything in one fell swoop. And I can’t let that happen.

In an instant, Aiden lets out a roar and jerks his arms up, firing the gun at the thick trunk of an oak just beyond the brush. He empties the clip and then sinks to the ground, his head falling forward like a machine finally powering down. I look to the trees as a dog starts barking somewhere up the hill and then approach him with an exasperated breath. Bending down, I wrap my arm across the front of his shoulders.

“I need you here,” I say, gently grabbing a handful of his hair and lifting his head.