There were four vehicles parked inside. With added determination, I began to search the garage.
Yet there were no keys in drawers or hanging on a rack. Shit. Shit. Shit. I bit my lower lip, feeling defeated. But a thought brought a smile to my face. What if the keys had been left inside each vehicle? There were crazier things that occurred.
Taking a chance, I selected my vehicle of choice, a big bad-looking Jeep.
Lo and behold, my luck had improved. My instincts had been right. Maybe the man who owned the house was a security freak, but his lack of security with his vehicles was my win.
I’d take every one I got.
He also had a garage door opener clipped to the visor. As soon as I’d snapped my seatbelt into place, I said a silent prayer and turned over the engine.
The baby roared to life. With a smile on my face, I hit the button on the opener. The door slowly began its silent rise and the first taste of freedom was on the horizon.
With a single deep breath, I shifted the gear into drive.
There was no one to stop me, no guards waiting with guns raised. There was no one in sight at all. I continuously scanned the mirrors as I crept along.
Then a single man appeared in the rearview mirror.
A single shout told me my escape had been discovered. I pressed down on the accelerator, flying down the driveway. Yes, I remembered not only were there guards stationed at the entrance, but there was also a massive iron gate.
All I could do was hope the selected getaway vehicle was solid enough to take a brutal hit.
There was no stopping me now. I raced down the driveway and additional soldiers appeared. They all carried huge weapons, some pointing them at me. With the first ping of a bullet hitting the side, I crouched down. A single shriek rushed up from my throat. I remained crouched down, flooring the gas pedal.
If the soldiers were trying to stop me, they needed work on their marksman skills.
As another scream bubbled to the surface, I ignored the warning bells going off inside my head. Guards waved their arms as they jumped in front of me. I refused to stop, taking gasping breaths and heading right for them.
While issuing a roar, I pressed on the horn, thankful the men jumped out of the way. After saying a silent prayer, I hit the gate.
The slam was hard and I almost lost control. Both hands were wrapped around the steering wheel as the Jeep shifted sideways. I slammed on the brakes, tires squealing as the centrifugal force jerked me all over the road.
I finally gained control, tossing a look into the rearview mirror. Guards were racing behind me, several with firearms raised.
This time, I jammed my foot on the accelerator, roaring down the road just as shots were fired. With my fingers white knuckled, I made a quick turn, once again coming close to losing control.
But the Jeep reacted as I’d hoped, keeping all four tires on the road.
Seconds later, there was no one in sight, not a single man chasing me.
I slowed down, my nerves wrecked and my pulse racing.
With another look in every mirror, I realized I’d managed to get away.
Safe.
Or was I?
Was this just the beginning of another chapter of the nightmare?
At this point, I couldn’t go back. I had to think of the future and where I would go from here. First, back to the hotel. Then I’d regroup, checking out and moving somewhere hopefully even safer. I knew enough about Navarro to realize he’d do his best to track me down.
To hell with him.
Whatever he’d been to me was long gone. He wasn’t a kid any longer, now the brutal commander of a dark and brutal empire. No matter the connection, I’d keep reminding myself of that if I felt any urge for the man.
I continued driving, still on edge, constantly looking in the rearview mirror.
