it is,” Lily said.
“Who?”
“Mack.”
“Are you sure?”
“He fits the description Malaya and Robert gave, and I can’t hear any of his thoughts, so that alone is a dead giveaway. I don’t know who else it could be.”
“Alright,” Mr. Turner said in his ‘I have a plan’ voice. “You four make sure you’re buckled if you aren’t already, because you’re in for a bumpy ride. Oh, and keep your heads down, just in case. You’ll be out of this mess and on the dance floor in no time. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay, bye.” Lily snapped the cell phone shut and told her friends what Mr. Turner had said. As everyone began to check their seat belts the limo lurched forward increasing its speed.
“I bet he’s seen Mr. Turner’s agent following us,” Lily said trying to reassure everyone, including herself. She quickly glanced out the back window to see headlights following close behind them. The limo sped up even more as it drove down the empty country road. Suddenly, gunshots pierced the silent country night. The limo swerved and bumped along the road, with the breaks screeching as they went. When they had come to a complete stop, Lily heard the front door of the limo open. Lily’s heart pounded in her chest, thinking Mack would come for her, but instead of coming towards the side door, his footsteps rustled leaves and branches as he ran away from the limo. There were a second set of footsteps coming up the left side of the limo, they stopped near the driver’s door and then there was gunshot. The night outside was silent.
***
“Shazzi,” Lily said stunned, when they were finally brave enough to open the passenger door. Shazzi was in the middle of placing handcuffs on Mack when they all tumbled out of the limo.
“Hey girl,” Shazzi called back at her. “Just let me take care of this Cretan, and then I want to see you in your prom dress.” Mack moaned in pain as she dragged him along the uneven ground to the limo.
“I can’t believe you shot me, Shazzi,” Mack whimpered.
“I had to slow you down somehow, you were getting away. Besides, it’s just a small leg wound, you’ll get over it.”
“How could you treat me this way? We worked together. We were on the same team.”
“Not anymore,” she said unemotionally. She sat him up against the side of the limo and wiped the sweat off of her forehead. “I don’t know how you all deal with this humidity.”
“We don’t,” Malaya said fanning herself with her hand. Shazzi smiled as she turned in their direction.
“Oh, girls,” Shazzi said seeing them all dressed up. “You both look fantastic, and I have to say, your dates look awfully dashing too.” She winked at the boys and then turned back to Mack.
“Alright, who sent you,” she demanded grabbing the front of his button up shirt in her hands. “I know you didn’t come all on your own. I know you too well. You’re too lazy.”
“What makes you think I would tell you, just like that?”
“Because I can shoot you again, just like that,” she declared pointing to Mack’s wounded leg.
“My other boss will do worse to me if I tell.”
“Wait,” Shazzi said. “Other boss? You were fired from the agency. What boss are you talking about?”
“I’m not saying another word. Not one. Shoot me if you want.” Shazzi stood silently thinking for a moment then bent over and struggled to hoist Mack into the back portion of the limo. Robert and Landon hurried over to help her lift him in. She closed the door and locked the limo up tight.
“Okay you lot,” she said to them smiling. “Let’s get you to that dance.” Shazzi drove them to Landon’s house where they piled into his car.
“Thanks for watching out for me,” Lily said through her open window.
“My pleasure,” Shazzi grinned. “I’ll check on you again later tonight to make sure you all get home safe and sound.”
“Thanks,” Lily said gratefully.
“It was good to see all of you. Have a great time at your senior prom.” Shazzi waved after them as they drove away to the school. The short ride to the school was quiet. They were all still a bit shaken up from the nightmare limo ride, but with each passing minute the tension seemed to fade away. Landon pulled into the school parking lot and they walked up the outside steps of the school together. Loud upbeat music blared from inside. The four of them