driving when she felt a little safer. Right now, with Tony and Niccolo’s guys so close, she didn’t give a damn how they got away.
The SUV ate up the miles, leaving the older rundown part of the city and gradually they entered nicer, more populated areas. People. Lots and lots of people were good things. Human, lion… Hillary didn’t care. There was one thing those two men hated, and that was witnesses. Sure, she knew they generally “took care” of those problems, but even they couldn’t take out an entire city. Though, she had heard Tony talk of leveling a whole block before… With the occupants still inside the buildings.
Hillary eased to the side so she could look into one of the side mirrors to see the vehicles behind them. So far, so good. She hadn’t spied any of the typical vehicles. That didn’t mean the guys weren’t trying to lay low and driving something else.
“No one is following us.” Oscar tried to be reassuring, but there was just something itching between her shoulders that said otherwise.
“Look, I get that you’re trying to soothe me or whatever, but—”
“That’s what mates are for. I want you to know I can take care of you. I’ll kill anyone who tries to come after you. And you’re going to tell me more about what’s been happening to you as soon as we get to Pride Tower.”
Hillary kept going despite his words. Because really, the guy wasn’t listening. “ But I don’t think you realize what you’re up against. Especially if you think Tony and Niccolo are out of the game.”
She took another peek behind them.
“I said—” Her mate really was getting snippy. Which was kinda hot.
“And I said you don’t know anything. I’m also saying that yes, I’ve been with them for twenty years, but it wasn’t like I never tried to escape. Each time they found me. No matter what, they’d find me. So excuse the fuck outta me if I’m a little worried.”
Oscar growled—he seemed to do a lot of that. “I can take care of you.”
“I’m sure you—”
Hillary didn’t get to tell him what she was sure of because another SUV roared toward them and T-boned their vehicle. The threat hadn’t come from behind but their left. Of course, they went after the driver’s side. They didn’t want to injure her. Fucking bastards.
Metal groaned as it crumpled and bent, while glass shattered and the small bits tinkled and flew through the air. She fought to remain loose as the vehicle slid over the asphalt, tensing would merely ensure more injuries. Apparently sliding wasn’t enough for their SUV, because it lost its hold on the street and flopped to its side before finally rolling and resting on its roof.
She hung from the seat, belt keeping her in place. Blood dripped from her head and she realized at some point she’d become intimately involved with the side window. So much for airbags.
She took a quick moment to prod her lioness and see if any other parts of them were damaged. The cat was annoyed and Hillary was surprised to find the beast in that state. In the past, it had always cowered beneath injury, but now it seemed almost ready to take on Tony’s guys. Or Niccolo’s. She wasn’t sure who was handling this round of “Hunt Hillary.”
A groan came from Oscar and she turned her attention to him, noting the odd angle of his arm and the blood flowing freely from his head wound. She twisted and took a look toward the back of the SUV and spied Colton in a crumpled heap. He whimpered, so she knew he was still alive, but the man had to be in a lot of pain.
Someone didn’t buckle up.
A heavy thud reached her, and she turned her head toward the sound. The scrape of shoes on glass announced someone’s approach and then a pair of high-end Italian loafers came into view. Yep, just as she suspected. They’d found her. Sure, there could be any number of people who wore those type of handcrafted shoes, but going by experience, she was looking at a pair that belonged