“There’s a rat in my circle,” Zeno said with grim realization, then he looked over his shoulder and snapped, “Fuck, we’re being followed.”
“What?”
“We’re being followed. Black sedan. Tinted windows.” He pulled out his gun from his chest holster, twisting on a suppressor. “Speed up and turn around at the upcoming roundabout.”
My sweat-slicked palms gripped the steering wheel with terror. I was going to vomit. “Zeno, I don’t think—”
Gunshots rained on my bulletproof car.
Zeno growled and I screamed, almost swerving us off the highway.
“Don’t be afraid, Darla,” he barked. “Speed up and do as I say.”
I had never driven at such a high speed nor had I ever had anyone shoot at my car.
I was scared, so fucking scared, but trying to keep it together.
The roundabout neared.
My breath hitched.
The car drifted.
And everything happened in slow motion.
Zeno lowered his window and the wind sailed inside like an augury of death.
He thrust out the barrel of his gun.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
CHAPTER 38
La Vérité
Zeno
Adrenaline still surged through my veins as Darla pulled into the circular driveway of the estate, laboured breaths filling the silence in the car.
Barely five minutes ago, we’d been shot at.
Barely five minutes ago, I shot back at the driver, effectively running him off the road. The next time, I feared we might not escape so easily. While Darla drove us home like we were in a high-speed car chase, I managed to text my family to warn them of the situation and called reinforcements to escort them home safely.
I was still wrapping my mind around what happened at the auction when Darla threw open the car’s door and stumbled out almost hysterically. I rounded the car just in time to catch her shaking frame from falling to the ground.
Darla pushed me away with so much hurt in her expression, I stumbled back. “Don’t touch me, Zeno!”
The rejection seared like a hot brand. I reached for her again. Not allowing her reaction to deter me. “Take a deep breath, Darla. You did amazing and now you are okay.Weare okay.”
The last part was mostly for me.
I fucked up and I took full accountability for it.
This was the last time I lied to my wife via omission about something so crucial.
All I needed was to make amends and grovel like my life depended on it.
Because it did.