David pulls away just as the man leaning against the door pulls out his gun and yells at us to stop. Sirens blare from somewhere nearby. I swear repeatedly as Silvano gets on the phone to bark orders at Dom and his men, who are in an SUV not far behind.
This is not good. I grab mine and Silvano’s guns and stash them in the compartment under the seat while David tears around a street corner. The number of laws we have broken is relatively low, but if the police catch us, it will only give Ruby Flint the opportunity to make the connection between Bellucci Inc. and the mob. Felicity and Lynch are behind this, and no doubt they have already told Ruby, or at least implied, that my business stretches beyond the scope of the law. My being caught would confirm that, with catastrophic results.
David swings a hard right, and it throws me into the side of the car. Silvano slams into my shoulder and swears.
“I told you that you should have stayed behind!” he grumbles.
“This is not the time, Silvano!”
We careen around another corner, and this time, a cop car skids into the lane behind us, lights flashing.
“David,” Silvano calls to the front. “Dom’s SUV is about to come barreling through that intersection. Wait until the last second and make a hairpin turn.”
David nods in the rear-view, and we zoom toward the traffic lights. I grit my teeth. I have outrun other crime syndicates plenty of times, but so far I’ve never had to outrun the police. Plus, two car chases in as many days has to be a bad sign. I’m just glad Alexis isn’t here for this one, though undoubtedly she could take it.
A dark feeling in my stomach warns that I am witnessing the beginning of the end of my empire. I refuse to listen to it.
Not yet.
We get into the intersection, and David wrenches on the emergency brake, sending us flying around, just in time to miss Dom’s SUV as it runs the lights. The police car brakes hard but still has to steer into a pole on the sidewalk to avoid slamming into the side of the SUV. David waves at Dom and then takes off back the way we came.
“Dom’s going to lead them away now,” Silvano says, staring over his shoulder as the police car reverses. Dom lingers in the intersection just long enough for the police car to get back into the game, and then he’s off like a shot. Sure enough, they follow him now instead. An easier target, I suppose.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” I mutter, dialing Alexis’ number. “If I know Ruby, she’s not going to let us get away so easily.”
I rush through the front door while David races to stash the car in one of the garages, sending gravel shooting everywhere. Alexis is waiting for me, holding a bundle of clothes. She’s still in her pajamas, a pink tank top and some black leggings.
“What’s that?” I ask.
She lifts the bundle demonstratively. “Sweatpants and a T-shirt,” she says matter-of-factly. “We’ve been at home all morning watching cartoons. Harry’s already set up in the living room; you just need to get changed and mess your hair up a little.” After a beat, Alexis waves her hand at me. “Well? Get undressed.”
It feels strange to take my clothes off in the foyer with two guards standing nearby, but I don’t argue because I know that time is of the essence.
“She’s here,” John says, listening to the radio in his ear. “She’s on her way from the guardhouse now.”
I shuck off the rest of my clothes, and Alexis hands them to John while I pull on the sweats. He takes the clothes away, and she rises on her tiptoes and ruffles my hair. Then she grabs my hand and drags me through to the living room, where Clara is sitting with Harry.
“Okay, I’m out of here,” Clara says, hopping to her feet. “If anyone asks, I’m not here.”
Alexis chuckles. “I hardly think they’ll be asking for you. Thanks, Clara.”
Clara leaves, and we slide onto the couch on either side of Harry. He barely seems to notice our arrival, eyes glued to the colorful characters prancing across the screen. The flamboyance of the program mixes uncomfortably with the jagged suspense dancing up my spine, and I struggle to calm my racing heartbeat.
“Sir,” John says, arriving at the doorway. “There’s a Ruby Flint here