Stoking the Fire (Salus Security #1) - Teodora Kostova Page 0,82

of here, baby. Now.”

The car’s still on its roof, the windows broken. Alec has blood trickling down his face, but his eyes are alert.

“Okay,” I say, not recognizing my own voice.

Alec unlocks my seatbelt, helping me ease down in the seat. I notice he has his gun in his hand. My brain tries to process everything that’s happening, but my head hurts too much.

Slowly, we crawl out of the car. He helps me up, and then pushes me back down into a crouch behind the car.

I hear the gunshots a moment later.

“Stay down,” he tells me before he shoots to his feet and opens fire.

“Alec,” I manage, my voice trembling. I can’t believe this is happening, my body shivering with adrenaline.

He crouches down next to me again, the gunfire too loud and too fast around us. “It’ll be okay. Backup is on the way. They should be here any minute.”

I nod, the jerky movement making my head spin.

“I think I have a concussion,” I say, the words coming out slowly.

“I know. I’ll get you to the hospital. Just hang on a little longer.”

He doesn’t wait for my reply before he stands again, the sound of his gun firing too loud, and too fast…

“Shit!” he swears, crouching down again. “I’m out of ammo.”

As if on cue, I hear footsteps approaching, the shadows of the men trying to kill us getting closer and bigger.

“Give it up, Bono.” The voice is gruff, distantly familiar, and too close for comfort.

Alec recognizes it. His eyes narrow, and his body stiffens as he stands.

“Hoz. Didn’t realize you were a merc now.”

Hoz? The guy from Stanley’s party? What the actual fuck?

Hoz laughs, the sound so ugly it makes my skin prickle. “This is much bigger than you realize, bud.”

“Who do you work for?” Alec shoots back, unfazed.

“No one.” Hoz is getting agitated, I can tell from the change of tone. “I pledge alliance to people who choose to fight for our country. To stand up to this joke of a president. Spineless piece of shit.” Hoz spits on the ground as if the very thought of our president offends him.

“So the answer to my question is Neal Calloway. Right?” Alec’s stalling for time. He said backup should be here at any moment, but seems like nobody’s coming to our rescue. We’re cornered.

“It’s none of your goddamn business,” Hoz growls. “Give up the kid, and I may decide to let you live. For old times’ sake.”

“I guess you’ll have to shoot me then. It’s the only way you’re getting to him.”

The click of a gun echoes in the space around us, a sound so small and yet so powerful. Blood rushes to my ears, and panic overtakes every rational thought in my mind.

I’m not letting Alec die here. Not a chance in fucking hell that’s happening. And for what? If they shoot him, they’ll take me anyway.

“Stop!” I yell as I stand. I feel lightheaded from the sudden movement and sway on my feet a little.

Before Alec can catch me, I take a step away from him. Meeting his eyes, I plead with him to forgive me.

His gaze is horrified and so fucking scared it makes me sway on my feet again. I turn to Hoz and the two other men pointing their guns at us. “I’ll go with you. Don’t shoot him.”

“Zach! No! What the fuck are you doing?” He takes a step toward me, but Hoz’s voice cuts him out.

“Uh-huh. Stay where you are, Bono. Or I shoot you both and save myself all this drama.”

Alec ignores him. “Zach. Please don’t do this.”

“I’m sorry.” It’s all I can say before someone snatches me from behind and drags me into the SUV.

Just as the doors shut closed, I hear it, the sound of car engines approaching. No sirens. They’re getting louder and louder, and I can see through the window two cars and a motorbike driving at full speed toward us.

“Go, go, go!” the man sitting next to me commands, and we’re off, the car spinning on its back tires before speeding away.

“Mackenzie can’t stall the cops any longer. They’ll be here any moment, too,” Hoz says from the front seat. “Drive fucking faster, Sean!” he snarls at the driver, hitting the dashboard with an open palm. “Goddamn it. This was supposed to be a clean op.”

I use the fact that they’re distracted to turn around and look through the back window. The cars are driving after us in the distance, but the motorbike’s flying toward us,