“About that,” Jordan said. “Did you lace your own coffee?”
“I laced yours too. I hope you have a cure.”
Jordan found that funny. Nile stared at him.
Dylan wondered if she hated him for what he did. He wanted to hate himself, but he didn’t. If it stopped the madness, he’d do it again.
Tigris and Ernest looked at each other, then at Dylan.
He didn’t deny it, but it wasn’t something to be proud of.
“It doesn’t make you white-Jesus,” Jordan talked over his shoulder.
“Noted.” The last thing Dylan wanted to be was Jesus.
While Ernest drove them around back, Jordan fished through the glove compartment. His phone needed charging, and he knew there was a charger in there somewhere; it was his. Sonny’s flag fell onto his lap. He tossed it in there days ago and forgot about it. Jordan contemplated throwing it out of the window, but he passed it to Nile instead.
She rolled her eyes but took it.
The Harrisons were gone, except Maya. She and Jake appeared to be having an unpleasant conversation. Sonny sat astride his bike and watched them.
“We’ll see you later.” Nile scooted out of the Bentley behind Dylan.
Ernest drove off.
“Nile! Thank goodness! Are you all right?” Maya opened her arms and oozed concern.
Nile took a step back. “Seriously?”
Maya was perplexed. “I know you blame us, but this isn’t my fault. I didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“Ummhmm. I don’t have time for you right now.” Nile turned away.
“Those agents are here and the police can’t be far behind,” Dylan announced. “We have to go.” He helped Nile onto his bike and didn’t wait for the others.
THE AGENTS FOUND THE room, saw the destruction and knew, bluff or not, they needed to get the Bishops back, pronto.
THE BIKERS WERE OUT of the lot and turning onto the main road when Special Agents Malroy and Goins emerged from the hotel. They seemed to have gotten their wits about them and were ready to pursue.
UNDER THREE MINUTES. It felt faster. The agents chased them down the highway picking up speed and catching up quick. Dylan mashed the gas pedal, hoping to outrun them. Jake stayed on his tail with Sonny slightly behind.
“Go there!” Nile pointed to a side road.
Dylan led the way. The road was small, down to one lane in each direction. The bikers fanned out. With Sonny driving on the wrong side, there was no way for the agents, in their bulky SUV, to get around them.
“Turn around!”
“What?” Dylan wasn’t sure what Nile said. She was behind him talking into the wind.
“Turn around!”
He heard her and wished he hadn’t. “No.” He shook his head.
“Turn around!” She tapped his shoulder and pointed.
“Are you crazy?!”
“Do it! We have to make a stand or they might try to grab somebody else.”
Dylan thought she was nuts, but there was something in her that compelled him to do her bidding. He switched his Bluetooth on. Talking to Jake and Sonny, he said, “Keep them back. I’m turning around.”
“What the hell?” Jake said.
“Hell yes!” Sonny yelled.
Dylan pulled ahead. When he had enough room, he slowed just enough to make a wide U-turn. Nile followed his movement, leaning with him like she was born to ride.
He’d give it five hundred feet, maybe less. If the agents didn’t blink, he would. And then he’d keep going. He’d take Nile and ride so far, so fast, they’d never catch up. Heading back the way they came, Dylan leaned forward and Nile stood up. Damned daredevil.
“Move!” he yelled into his Bluetooth.
Whatever Jake said was drowned out by Maya’s scream. Sonny laughed and swung wide.
Dylan pushed the CV Ultra to its limit, said a silent prayer, and wondered what the hell he was doing.
It wasn’t a game. It wasn’t even a challenge. They weren’t willing to hurt one of the few people who could help them and risk the wrath of the family they needed. The SUV swerved off the road, tore through the field, and came to a jerking halt.
Nile sat down and Dylan brought them back around.
Jake and Sonny were waiting. Dylan caught up and took the lead again.
“Girl.” That was all he could think to say.
Nile squeezed him tight.
BACK TO RAIN. NEITHER Jake, Sonny, nor Maya had anything left to lose. It didn’t matter what air they breathed. Dylan led the way to the farmhouse. They parked their bikes but didn’t go inside.
“Now what?” Sonny asked.
“Now, you soul search and hopefully learn to make better life choices.” Nile gave him his flag. “It’s yours, offend anybody you like.”
Sonny took the flag. He twirled it in his fingers. It felt like a long time ago. “Look, I realize there are things going on here, but I hope there are no hard feelings about this. We were doing what we had to do.”
“Oh, screw you.” Nile rolled her eyes.
Sonny laughed. “She’s feisty.”
“She’s also correct. Screw you.” Dylan put his arm around Nile. She leaned into him. “Feelings are as hard as a rock around here.”
“Whatever.” Sonny rolled his grandfather’s flag between his thumb and forefinger. He felt helpless and for the moment, he hated that flag.
“We didn’t have a choice,” Jake reasoned.
“You had plenty of choices,” Dylan said, “I warned you. I begged you. All this waste is because of people trying to control the Bishops. The solution was simple. All you had to do was leave them alone.” He didn’t mention his own deeds, but they were on his heart.
“You did this to us, Maya,” Nile said. “You sold us out. Your family sold us. You risked everybody. For what? Some money and the promise of freedom and power. Good luck collecting.”
Maya’s tears were instant. “I’m sorry. You know I am. But, it’s not like that.” She turned to Jake and repeated, “It’s not like that. You don’t know what it’s like to be me. None of you do. I don’t have anything. I can’t ever have anything. I’m going to die with nothing. All because of this stupid town and a sickness I have no control over.” Refocusing on Nile, she said, “You’re not like me. You have money and choices. You aren’t relying on somebody’s good mood to live or die.”
Nile folded her arms. “No. No, I’m not relying on anyone. But everybody is relying on me and my family. I can’t go away to college, like you. Too many people are relying on me. I can’t go off and meet some hero. I don’t get months or years to build a trusting relationship. I had to wait to be found in a place that doesn’t allow time for anything, much less, romance. I don’t bring people into a deathtrap for my own benefit. I don’t sell secrets, I don’t manipulate, I don’t trample lives or hurt my friends, because I have a responsibility.”
Maya screamed, “We’re dying, Nile! We’re dying and you aren’t. I don’t care about manipulating. I care about living.”