Tires squeal.
Now’s my chance.
A bright red SUV plows across the grass, onto the sidewalk and then slams into the fire hydrant.
I grab Ashton and high tail it for Ivy’s parked car. It’s not far from us, and we have the advantage. Aurielo is several feet in the opposite direction.
The car smashing the fire hydrant stole his attention.
I can’t turn around and see if Aurielo or Francesco noticed us flee and followed us. If I do, it’ll slow us down.
I hurry to the car, the doors are left open, and practically shove Ashton into the backseat.
“Buckle up!” I order and hurry to the driver’s side, open the door, and leap into the vehicle. I lock the doors, grab the keys from the visor, and start the engine.
Fuck.
I glance out the window, and Aurielo is almost at the door. He’s gaining on us, and he looks pissed.
I put the car in drive and slam on the gas—I thunderbolt out into traffic.
Vehicles honk at me for cutting them off as I veer into the lane and hurry, rushing away from the park. I can’t let Aurielo catch up with us.
* * *
“Mommy,” Ashton is whining in the backseat.
How do I explain what the hell just happened?
“It’s okay, buddy. Are you buckled into your booster seat?” I hate that I didn’t have time to secure the seat. I have to trust that Ivy had it ready, and Ashton latched the buckle himself.
Every so often, I glance back in the rearview mirror.
I head for the back roads to exit the city. If I take the highway, there could be others after me, and they know the vehicle that I’m driving. It wouldn’t be hard to spot us.
Would Aurielo call for reinforcements?
Another glance in the mirror. Just a bunch of traffic. No one is suspicious. Francesco hasn’t tailed us yet.
That’s good news.
I head away from the hospital. Francesco and Aurielo would have had to return to the hospital to get the car.
My stomach is churning as I grip the steering wheel.
Ivy.
What was her plan? She told me not to worry. She’d have it handled, but what did she plan to do after she hit the fire hydrant?
Did she drive away?
Did Francesco or Aurielo capture her?
My bottom lip trembles at the horrible notion that Ivy could be interrogated by Aurielo.
No.
He wouldn’t torture my sister. Would he?