Page 93 of Made of Steele
“Until now.”
“Yes, until now.”
She looked around again, glad to see that Vito had not come back. “And you thought you had Vito to kill tonight, but I let him get away.”
“This does not matter.” His voice was low and terrifying. “I have another person in his place. I have you.”
Drew called County. Yelled at them to hurry. To cut down on the ten minutes they were out from getting to Teagan. But like him, they were on the wrong side of the tree. Unlike him, they could now detour from their location thanks to his call. But he would have to backtrack for thirty minutes. If he could even get the car to run. He could make it on foot faster than that. There was nothing for it but to run.
He grabbed a vest and rifle from his trunk and started off. He got into a rhythm, pounding the ground. One thing he’d insisted on while UC was continuing his workouts, and right now, he was thankful he had.
He kicked into high gear, passing trees. More trees. And more trees. Climbed a hill.
Headlights rose over the top, beaming their way toward him.
A car. He could commandeer it.
No way anyone would stop for a guy toting a rifle. He hid it behind his back. He waved his other arm and jumped up and down in the middle of the road.
He had no identification other than his bogus driver’s license for Dylan Crane. Even his vest didn’t say police on it as he couldn’t risk having that in his trunk. So, fine. He’d have to tell this driver who he was, but if they didn’t give him their car, he wasn’t above pulling his rifle on them.
The sedan slowed and crept closer. Drew waited for the vehicle to stop, and he eased close to the driver’s door. Thankfully it was a guy. He should be less skittish than a woman stopping for a man in the night.
“Tree down from the quake. My car’s on the other side. I have a law enforcement emergency and need to take your car.”
The man ran his gaze over Drew. “You got some ID?”
“No, sorry. Had to leave home without it.”
“Then I’m not giving you my car.”
Drew swung the rifle around his side, careful not to actually point it at the man. “Leave the car running and get out. Keep your hands where I can see them.”
The man’s mouth fell open. “Don’t hurt me. Please. I have a family. You can have the car. Just don’t kill me.”
“I really am a law enforcement officer. I won’t hurt you.”
The man fumbled to open the door, undid his seatbelt, and got out.
“Can you call someone to come get you?” Drew asked.
He nodded.
“My name’s Drew Collier. I’m an ICE agent and work out of the Portland field office. My supervisor is Gala Harris. Call the office tomorrow, and we’ll arrange to return your car.”
The man glared at him. “This is wrong.”
“I’m sorry, but a woman’s life is at stake, and I have no choice.” Drew stepped toward the man. “Go sit on the side of the road where I can see you.”
The man bolted across the pavement.
Drew hopped into the car. Locked the door so the guy couldn’t try to get back in. Drew stowed the rifle and made a three-point turn. He got the older model sedan up to speed as fast as possible. The car vibrated under him, but he pushed it harder. Harder.
Please, please, please, don’t let this car conk out. And don’t let me be too late.
Teagan took her time climbing the steps to the trailer, part of her wishing the ground would tremble again and Jabal would lose his footing. But she reached the door and stepped onto the stained carpet without any incident.
The light blinded her. She blinked to clear her vision.
