The road was curved toward the rolling hills, long, sloping stretches of asphalt that dipped and rose like ocean swells. This was a bad place for a chase. A single mistake could send one down the slope and probably to their maker.
I had no idea who was chasing me, but I had a feeling they had something to do with Rocco. Maybe a family member or his men trying to exert vengeance.
I didn’t give a shit. I just wanted to get back to my wife.
The chase intensified by the minute: engines roaring, tires screeching loudly against the asphalt. I kept my eyes on the road, my hands steady on the wheel.
Smoke swirled from my rear tires as I took a sharp, dangerous swerve. The car behind tried the same thing but fell off the road, tumbling down the hill. I kept going, eyes glancing at the rearview mirror every half second.
Then I heard it. The explosion beneath the hill. The fallen car had gone up in flames.
However, I could breathe a sigh of relief, the sound of screeching tires caught my attention again. I looked through the rearview mirror and saw another vehicle quickly catching up behind me.
What the hell?
How many of you guys are there?
I slammed on the accelerator, wind rushing past my windows. Then came the crack that split the night.
Bang!
A loud gunshot.
The sound almost distracted me.
But I kept my eyes on the unwinding ahead.
They shot again. Multiple times.
I ducked, careful not to take a wrong turn. A bullet punctured the rear windshield and hit the headrest of the front passenger seat. These guys weren’t kidding.
I pushed the car harder, every swerve carefully calculated. My phone’s screen lit up on the dashboard console with my wife’s name flashing on it. She was calling.
“Shit.”
I couldn’t take the call right now because I couldn’t risk her knowing my life was in danger. The doctor had specifically said not to let anything stress her. This wouldn’t only stress the life out of her; it could send her into premature labor.
Another bullet was fired. This time, it hit my phone, knocking it to the floor mat.
Headlights flooded my mirror.
They were right behind me now.
Dangerously close.
Before I could form my next thought, they rammed their car into my rear bumper. The impact knocked me off course, tires squealing loudly. A quick swerve steered me back on track.
Unfortunately, my triumph was fleeting.
They hit me again. Harder this time.
Again. And again. And again.
Before I could take control of the situation, it was too late. I was already at the edge of the road, the front tires spinning in the air.
Then came the final slam that sent my car down the slope. Time slowed down and I saw my life flash before my eyes.
The car flipped multiple times. Metals screamed and glass exploded inward. My body jerked, stomach lurching intomy throat as the air bag slammed into my front. The seatbelt squeaked faintly, biting into my chest. It was the only thing holding me in place as the car somersaulted down the hill.