Page 3 of Twilight Tactics

The teen huffed a short laugh. “A little old for that kind of belief, isn’t she?”

Piper’s chuckle was forced, but she’d managed to distract Ollie, and that was what mattered.

The black SUV edged closer once more, but Sully was ready. He had one chance to get this right. Movement caught his attention—the silver sedan was dropping back.

He glanced at Piper. “As soon as I stop, I’ll pop the back. You grab the bag and hightail it back.”

“Got it.” She rolled the window up.

Sully sucked in a breath, said a quick prayer, and cranked the wheel hard left.

Gravel sprayed as he whipped the SUV onto the overgrown access road. Tree branches slapped against the hood, leaves and twigs snapped and sprayed across the windshield.

Nothing like leaving a trail a blind man could follow.

The abandoned barn loomed ahead, the weathered boards having seen better days. But it would do for what he needed.

Piper looked back. “Splitting up like I thought they would.”

“It’s okay.” He pressed the accelerator and aimed for the barn’s gaping doors. He slammed on the brakes and spun the wheel hard once more. The SUV slid sideways into the barn in a shower of dirt and rotted wood.

Piper was already out of the vehicle, and he popped the hatch.

Less than five seconds later, she was back in her seat. She shoved the go bag on the floor and snagged a flash-bang. “Ready.”

“Here he comes,” Sully said.

“And the sedan?”

“Don’t know.” He frowned. “Hands over your ears and close your eyes, Ollie. Got it?”

“Yes!”

He nodded to Piper, who waited. Seconds ticked past, and the black SUV roared into sight. It slammed to a stop, and Piper tossed the weapon under the vehicle. She yanked her door shut, ducked her head, and clamped her arms over her ears.

Sully did the same.

The bang and flash came, expected but jarring all the same.

He threw the vehicle into reverse, spinning the wheel again, and shot through the back wall of the barn.

“The sedan!”

Piper’s cry alerted him to the vehicle he was almost on top of. The driver overcorrected, seeking to avoid hitting Sully, and slammed into an old, rusted tractor.

“Go!” Piper’s urgency fueled his own, and he accelerated toward the road, taking the path he’d created on his mad dash to the barn.

“Ollie! Still okay?”

“I’m okay,” she said, sounding breathless.

Sully allowed a moment of relief to sweep over him. And gratitude. They were safe. For now.

He swept his gaze between the mirrors looking for movement, any sign that their pursuers were still on their tail somewhere. Piper turned to keep an eye on their rear. She was a good partner, and he was glad she had his back. “We bought some time,” he said, “but they’re not done. They’ll regroup, replan, and come back.”

Piper shot him a strained smile. “Let’s hope Maya’s security is as good as she says it is.”

“It is. David and I helped her come up with it.” David Broussard, Maya’s head of security at the ranch, was also one ofSully’s former colleagues. The man had been looking for something different and approached Sully about any job recommendations. He’d sent the guy to Maya, and she’d hired him a few months ago. “David and Maya discussed us using the ranch as a safe house,” he said. “And they agreed Ollie would be safe there. She’s got top-notch tech.”