Page 73 of Dragon Tempted

“What do you think they want?” Sienna asked.

“Could be what you found in the vault,” Ryan said.

John stiffened. “Or they could be after me.”

Sienna clutched the book to her chest. “Can you lose them?”

“I’m going to try. They waited to get closer until we were on this side road.” Ryan sped up and the truck did as well. “Hang on, they’re coming fast.”

Sienna turned again just in time to see the truck come up behind them and tap their bumper.

“Damn it!” Ryan sped up and swerved around a couple cars. “It looks like another truck has joined in the chase.” He drove into the turning lane but continued straight through the intersection. Horns blared. “They got stopped at the intersection, but it won’t take them long to catch up.”

He sped up again. “Call Marcus,” he barked, and the phone rang through the SUV’s monitor.

Marcus answered immediately. “Problem?”

“Yeah. We’re being followed.”

“Roger that. Your trackers are working, and we’re heading in your direction. Confirm location.”

Ryan rattled off the street they were on and the cross street they just passed. “If I can find a place to stop, I’m going to have Sienna and John get out and I’ll lead them away.”

Sienna’s stomach dropped. “Ryan, no!”

“Sienna. When it comes to your safety, you agreed I’m in charge. Leave your phone in the car in case that’s what they’ve been tracking. You have John’s burner.”

“We’ll be there shortly,” Marcus announced.

Sienna dumped her phone and other extraneous things out of her purse and put the book and ring box inside. She then stuffed the box with the bowl inside as well, glad that she was carrying her larger bag today.

Her hands shook and John grasped one. “I’ve got you.”

Ryan took a sharp right turn, barely slowing down, and headed down a side road before turning again down another road and then behind a building before slamming on the brakes. “Go!”

John pushed open the door and pulled Sienna out of the SUV with him. The door barely shut before Ryan sped around the building and down the street. She didn’t get a chance to tell him to be safe.

Sienna’s heart pounded as John tucked them up against the back of the building, watching to see if anyone was coming their way. After a minute he peeked around the corner before leading her around the side until they came to a row of shops and a couple of restaurants.

Sienna jumped when John’s phone rang, and he hit the speaker button. “Marcus.”

“You safe?” he said, getting right to the point.

“So far. No cars followed us. I think they went after Ryan.”

“Good. We’re about ten minutes away from you.”

“Is someone tracking Ryan?” Sienna asked, trying to calm her breathing.

“Yep. He’s got backup on the way too. Is there somewhere public you can blend into?”

“Yes,” John answered. “We’re by a small strip mall. We can go into one of the stores.”

“I’ll call back when we get closer.”

John put the phone into his shirt pocket and held out his hand to Sienna again. “Come on. Let’s go shop.”

She put her hand in his and gripped the straps of her bag on her shoulder before stepping onto the sidewalk.