“Everyone is looking for you two,” he says immediately. “Every single affiliate of Jose’s is out for your blood and to bring that girl to him.”
I sigh. “They’re cropping up everywhere. I’ve had to move the whole night. But I think I’ve lost them now. I’m switching vehicles. Is there any news on Facuno?”
“He’s only loyal to Jose because he’s been bullied from what I can tell, but there’s something that doesn’t add up. I agree. Something feels fishy.” He sighs. “Just get somewhere safe. Try one of the safe houses if you have to.”
I glance around. “I will. I’ll call you later today.”
I hang up, take the sim card out and get rid of it. I’m running out of burner phones. I’ll have to get some more.
I go to the checkout desk and hand over my license. It’s not long before I’ve signed everything and got the keys. We check over the vehicle to ensure there are no scratches or dents, and she lets us leave. I throw my stuff in the trunk and climb in. As soon as Sofia is in, she curls up and closes her eyes.
I don’t blame her.
I pull out of the parking and start to drive.
I consider all the safe houses I can go to, but something keeps throwing me off. I just feel like I’m missing something, but I can’t put my finger on what that is.
I pull off into a game reserve and park. I settle back to sleep for a while with Sofia. It’s been a long night, and I don’t know when we’ll next get a chance to sleep.
I wake up to a knock on the window and reach for my gun, but it’s a park ranger standing outside the car. I roll down the window, “Yeah?”
“Sorry, sir, you can’t sleep here. There’s no loitering. You’ll have to move on,” he says, looking at me seriously.
I roll my eyes and start the car. “I was done sleeping anyway.”
He walks away, and Sofia stirs next to me. “Where are we?”
“Leaving,” I say with a huff. “I stopped to get some shut-eye.”
Sofia looks around. “Where are we going next?”
“I’m still trying to decide,” I admit. “At least the car is more comfortable. There’s going to be a lot of driving.”
Sofia glances around and settles down. “I think I know this area.”
“That’s nice,” I say sarcastically, as though I need directions from someone when I’ve lived in New York all my life.
She frowns and mumbles something under her breath, but I don’t catch what she says. I look in the review mirror and see a car behind us with three burly-looking men in it.
“Dammit, they’ve found us again!” I growl, speeding up.
“How?” Sofia cries, glancing back at the car speeding up to keep up with me. I take a sharp right and punch the gas. I weave through traffic, regretting not having the motorbike now.
“Go left, go left,” Sofia says. “I know where we can hide.”
“Just shut up and buckle up,” I shout back, hitting a right and driving as fast as possible. I mount the sidewalk twice to maneuver around traffic. Horns blare behind me as I do so, and people on the sidewalk jump out of the way, screaming obscenities.
“Just go around the block. I know where we’ll be safe,” Sofia shouts angrily.
“Will you just shut up!” I yell, turning into an alleyway. It’s a dead end, and Sofia panics.
“Oh, God, what now? What now?”
“Get low and stay low,” I growl, getting out of the car and opening the back door to crouch behind.
The car crawls into the alleyway behind us, knowing we’re trapped. They stop the car and slowly get out.
The passenger in front calls, “Give it up, Sorvino. We got you trapped.”