Private Rogue

Chapter 24

I jumped to my feet and ran toward the passenger side of the Escalade. As I did so I saw Elizabeth Singer lean forward and punch the gunman in the back of his skull as he was taking aim at me. His shot went wild, and he was so angry, he forgot about me and turned to hit her. The children screamed, but his fist flew though empty air as Elizabeth ducked the blow. The car was moving now, but I managed to reach the passenger door and yanked it open as I jumped on the running board. The gunman made the mistake of trying to kick me away, so I slammed the door on his outstretched leg. He howled, and I did it again. The driver reached into his jacket, but Elizabeth was on him before he could produce his gun.

She clawed his face, and he instinctively stepped on the gas. The car accelerated and I couldn’t hold on as it gathered speed. I was thrown off the running board, winding myself as I tumbled onto the slush-covered asphalt. Beth kept fighting. The Escalade veered into a line of parked cars. Metal ground against metal and windows shattered as the big SUV crashed into an old Plymouth parked across two spaces in front of the motel office.

I sprinted toward the vehicle and pulled open the rear driver’s side door. Elizabeth and her two children were dazed, and the two masked assailants were equally stunned.

“Come on,” I said, pulling Elizabeth’s arm.

She allowed me to drag her from the car. As I yanked the children clear, the driver came to his senses.

“Get back!” he yelled, reaching for his gun.

I urged Elizabeth and the children on. “Move!”

As we ran, I heard the crack of gunfire. I turned to see the driver climb unsteadily out of the Escalade while trying to target me.

I pushed Elizabeth and the children over to the Mercedes and bundled them in the back.

The driver started running toward us as I jumped through the passenger door and slid into the driver’s seat. I started the engine, which growled to life, threw the car into reverse, and stepped on the accelerator.

I reversed toward the exit as bullets made holes in the windscreen. I flipped the gearshift, stepped on the brake and spun the wheel, forcing the car into a violent turn. We spun out of the parking lot, bounced over the sidewalk, and were facing forward when we hit the road.