“How do?—”
I don’t get to finish that question either before she swerves and turns onto a side road a moment too late. We go up and over the curb as she fires the gun again.
“Madeline, climb into the back seat and get down on the floor.”
“But—”
“No ‘buts,’ Madeline.”
“No, I can shoot too.”
“This isn’t some range.”
“I know.”
“Madeline—”
It’s my turn to cut her off. “I don’t have time to explain everything I’ve done, but I can help defend us. You’re not the only one who shoots to kill.”
She glances over at me before she nods. “Get into the back seat. Pull down the narrower side. There are rifles back there. Have you shot one of those before?”
“Yeah. I’ve only shot those at the range, but I’m comfortable with various calibers of pistols. Should I call Javi?”
She nods as I unfasten my belt. I clamber into the back before I pull out my burner. It rings until it goes to voicemail. Fuck. I debate whether to leave a message. We need help now, but he needs to know where I am while I can still tell him. I know Elle can hear me, but I keep my voice down.
“Javi, we’re on our way to Maks and Laura’s, but there are cars all over the place trying to drive us off the road. Your men blocked two of them, and Elle shot the tires of a third.”
I glance over my shoulder.
“But there are more behind us. We’re on Vandergrift, so we didn’t make it very far. I don’t know where we’re going. Call me as soon as you get this.”
Our gazes meet as she hits a button on her steering wheel.
“Call ‘Place.’”
Place?
She must have the number to a sat phone the men have wherever they go to do whatever it is they do that I can never find out about. Before it can connect, her phone rings. The moment she answers, a voice comes through the car’s speakers.
“TíaElle, where are you? Maks says Maddy never showed up at his house. I expected you to leave hours ago.”
“Javi?”
“Maddy?”
“I’m all right. I fell asleep, and Elle didn’t wake me. But as soon as I got up, we left to go to Maks and Laura’s.”
“Is that gunfire I hear?”
“Yes, Javier.” Elle cuts into our conversation. “I’m taking her back to my old house.”
“That isn’t yours anymore.”
“That won’t stop me from getting inside.”
“But I thought you got rid of the panic room.”
What the fuck did Elle need a panic room for in her old house?
