The tree that stopped their headlong descent wasn’t kind to the front of the Lexus CT. However, there was no question that the quality of the manufacturing saved their lives. Surrounding airbags inflated on impact and kept them both from being killed.
Sometimes shock could hold off the pain after injuries, and Maya was sure that was what happened in her case. Calm, glad to be alive, even giddy, but nothing hurt—yet. Funny thing, the moon stung her eyes. It was bright, but also wavering and annoying.
Jerking away from the offending nuisance, she turned to Nik. “Are you okay?” She’d heard him moan and saw the terror he couldn’t hide. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m fine. Just a little PTSD kicking in.”
“Post-traumatic stress disorder! Holy shit. That’s why you’re stateside. Hold it! Do you hear what I hear? They’re coming. Play dead but keep your gun handy. If they make a move to shoot, do it first.”
“Shush!” This was in Nik’s area of expertise. First he undid his seat belt and then hers. Slowly opening the door a crack he stopped, copied her and let his head fall forward.
Maya heard the squabbling between the men before seeing them.
“Hold that flashlight steady. Man, you got shit for brains if you think I’m crawling through that fucking swamp just to see if they’re goners. You know how much bacteria lives in those infested swamps?” Whining worse than a little girl, the big dude, the same one that had lit Nik’s fuse at the office, grunted his way to within ten feet of the front of the car, cussing the whole time.
“Shut up, ya big baby. You’re spookin’ me. Look, no-one can be alive in a smashed up wreck like that one, right? But just to be sure, I can smell the gas. You got a lighter?”
“Yeah. Here.”
“Cool! I’ll just light this little ol’ branch, throw it on the heap and we’ll be on our way.”
“Good idea, Stocker. You’re smart. You know Birdy’s pretty shocked and says he won’t drive the big rig anymore tonight.”
“You kidding me? That stupid prick! How about you, Bubba? Can you drive it?”
“Nah! I don’t have a commercial driver’s license and I’ve never driven with air brakes. I warned him the boss would be pissed.”
“What’d he say?”
“Screw the boss. After the ride he just survived, there’s no way in hell he’ll get behind the wheel again.”
“Then I guess we’ll have to fetch the two passengers and take them with us. The boss’ll have our asses if we don’t deliver the girl. They have a special customer waiting. And that little shit who’s been a thorn in our sides for so long will get his later. Guess the new shipment will have to wait till morning.”
Finally, the wooden stick caught and Butterball Bubba threw it where it landed in the brush next to the mangled vehicle. Before the two men reached the road, the explosion shot into the sky similar to those seen in a high-octane action movie, all fire and sparks and heat.
Stocker didn’t wait to see the outcome.
Shit-for-brains ducked for no reason, then stopped to watch. “Cool!”
Maya sputtered and struggled to her feet. “How the hell can you move so fast?”
“Basic training, special ops—the will to live. Sorry I had to haul you out my side. I was terrified they’d see your door open and come back to finish us off.”
“Considering we just made it to the swamp before it blew, please don’t apologize. In fact, I intend to make it up to you later, sugar. But now, we have to find a way to get Juli and the girl. Come on.”
Checking his phone for a signal, Nik shook it with disgust and replaced it back in his pocket. “Where’re we going?”
“They said Bard wouldn’t drive the truck. I want to see if he really left it behind.”
Apprehension lit Nik’s features. Although the moon wasn’t full, there was enough light for them to see their way going back up the same path their vehicle had formed on its descent. There was also enough moonshine for her to see him backing away. “Don’t be a girl. I just wanted to see if there’s a CB in the semi.”
Relief flooded over his face and he helped her up the hill. “Good. For a minute there, I though you intended to drive it.”
Maya didn’t answer him. That way she wouldn’t have to lie. Nor did she admit that most drivers today didn’t even have CBs anymore. But some of the older models such as this ancient piece of shit did.
The same step-daddy who’d taught her how to drive, take an engine apart and hot-wire anything with wheels, had always said she handled an eighteen-wheeler better than most of the idiots on his route.
Though she’d missed the hell out of Charlie, the long-haul trucker who’d been his successor had been surprisingly kind. A braggart of a guy, Mike had liked teaching her what he knew about mechanics and there wasn’t much he didn’t know. Enjoying company on some of his overnight trips, if her mom hadn’t wanted to travel along, Maya’d always been up for it. Her depression over losing Charlie had lifted under Mike’s tutelage. He’d trusted her and she’d never let him down. Instead, her mother had taken care of that by getting caught in the sack with her next step-daddy, the Kung-Fu expert.
Nik hauled himself up the step to look inside the cab, then tried the handle. “Sorry, this baby’s locked tight.”
The rock she used to break the passenger window did a good job. In no time at all, she was inside the cab and checking for the phone. It was there but dead. The pigsty of a truck hadn’t been looked after at all. Compared to the spotless interior of Mike’s cab, this stinking, garbage heap made Maya’s skin crawl. How could any driver have so little respect for such a marvelous machine?
Nik followed her to the passenger side and stood on the running board so he could see what she was doing.
Finding the right wires under the dash, in no time she’d started the engine and the roar of the motor made talking difficult. Yelling, she ordered, “Get in.” Her voice brooked no refusal.
Get in?
“What the hell are you talking about? You think I’m crazy—getting into an eighteen-wheeler with you behind the wheel? I’d rather jump from a helicopter with no parachute.”
“Funny guy! I can drive. Get in. We need to follow that SUV. We both know the cargo is too damn precious to lose. Now get the fuck in the truck!”
“You
are
nuts. No way in hell am I getting in there with you behind the wheel.”
“Fine. Then you drive.”
“I can’t drive one of these long-hauls.”
“I can. Get in.”
He stuck his hand out toward her perched behind the wheel, looking even smaller than normal—his index finger pointing at her face. It was trembling. He was shaking. Foreboding carpeted him instantly. “No Goddamned way. And nothing you say is going to convince me to get into this pigpen with you behind that fucking wheel.”
Slouched in the front seat of the massive, noisy semi, staring at all the various levers, lit dials, and switches, and then glaring at the busy woman driving next to him, Nik was pissed. “Threatening to withhold sex is low and just downright… mean.”
“You’re right. I’m
so
ashamed.”
“You’re
so
not funny.”
“Look, I had to persuade you to give me a chance, didn’t I? You want to save Juli, don’t you?”
“Is that a trick question?”
”What about that young girl? Man, anything could be planned for her tonight. I’ve heard they hold special initiations, betting on virgins and who gets to break them in. Disgusting old men who have lots of money and no morals. If there’s any way we can stop that from happening, we have to try, right?” Convincingly, she smiled his way.
“Watch the road, Maya! Jesus save me from hard-headed women.” Nik lowered his arm and curled his hand into a fist. He wanted to grab at his stomach but wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing his reaction to her handling of the monster she seemed able to control so easily.
“Nik, I really do know how to drive these rigs. One of my step-daddies taught me everything he knew about trucks, motors, and driving. You’ll have to come with me some weekend to the racetrack. It’s a hoot.”
God give me strength!
“You race? Shit, woman, don’t you have any hobbies that aren’t dangerous?”
“You mean like knitting?” The sneer was evident.
Nik had to laugh. The little minx had gotten to him again. “No! I meant like reading and hiking, things that aren’t likely to put you in the hospital.”
“Sure, I like doing both those things. I’m not the dare-devil you seem to believe.” Just then she spotted headlights ahead and, shifting gears, the air brakes huffing, she revved up the engine and they took off.
Nik’s eyes were glued to the faded white line in the middle of the road.
Oh, Lordie! This is not good.
Sweat broke out, only short breaths were possible and his pounding heart made him feel like he could pass out.
No way! That can’t happen. Maya needs me for backup. This shit’s not gonna win.
He just wished he didn’t feel so weak.
Nik knew when the SUV spotted them approaching. Of course, it
would
be just before they sped up.
“Try your cell. See if you can call for backup now. Maybe we can get a roadblock set up further along this stretch.”
Following her directions, Nik made the call and in a surprisingly short time, it was done. “They’re heading for the first intersection and will set up their squad cars. Five minutes max.”
“Good. They should make it. We’re still ten or twelve miles from that location. I don’t want to force them to drive too dangerously so I’m hanging back. Do you think they made us?”
“Oh, yeah! They sped up.”
“There’s a lot of trucks that travel this road. Look, they’re slowing down again. I’ll back off too. Be ready for me to pull a stunt when we have them penned in. Don’t panic. I know what I’m doing.” She reached her hand out to cover his. He patted hers and quickly replaced it on the wheel.
Laughing, she winked at him. “Just so you know, I can’t wait to be alone with you after this is over.”
“Just so
you
know, I intend to extract full compensation for the added stress you’ve inflicted.”
“Oooh! Now I’m really excited.”
“Just don’t get ahead of yourself. We still have to survive the next little while in one piece.”
“Hell, with that to look forward to, I’ll be extra careful.”
Laughing, unable to help himself, Nik felt the tenseness in his muscles ease. Then she pulled the stunt he’d been warned to watch for.
“Sh-itt!”
Jackknifing a truck took skill and muscles and a whole lot of a macho. After they’d seen a similar incident, Mike had explained to her how it could be done successfully.
Sadly, the driver hadn’t been able to control the skid and the truck had flipped. Since she’d never had the guts or a reason to try it before, only luck would determine if her skills were good enough.
Fighting the wheel with all the strength she could muster, Maya swung that big baby around so the semi now blocked any access to the road they’d just traveled.
It skidded and shuddered, almost flipping, but, somehow, using various levers and working the brakes, praying the tandems were set back far enough to help control the beast, she pulled off the wheelie and they skidded to a jerking stop. Dust, flying everywhere, adding a dimension of unreality to the moment.
Seconds passed before either of them moved or spoke. Nik broke the silence first. “Dammit, lady, you are amazing.” In a voice a few notes higher than normal, those were the only words he uttered before they heard gunfire. Maya saw him stiffen. Still dazed by her struggles with the eighteen-wheeler, she didn’t react. But he did.
“We’re sitting ducks up here.” His words never registered and she didn’t move.
He pulled her down in the seat and before she knew it, he’d maneuvered them out of the passenger door on his side and onto the ground. Now, weak as a kitten, having used up all her grit fighting to control the truck, she let him take over.
Carrying most of her weight, he shuffled them to a safe vantage point. Then he left her for a few seconds to do reconnaissance.
Less than a minute later, he returned, appearing out of the dark like a gliding shadow with no forewarning. “They set up two cop cars with only four officers. From what I could make out, a couple are down. Those two SUV assholes have assault weapons. Wait here. I’m going to get closer and see if I can help.”
Maya nodded and slumped against the tree. Her brain felt like putty and there was very little energy left in her overtaxed body. “Okay. Give me a minute. I’ll be there soon.”
“No, baby. You’re spent.” Nik caressed her cheek to get her attention. When she focused on him, he added, “I’ll take care of things. Just stay here.”
In seconds, Nik disappeared. Not even the surrounding brush stirred as he slipped away. Hearing the rattling of the firing arms in the distance, Maya knew she should investigate, but the slight incline to reach the road looked like Monkey Hill. It would take more energy than she could muster.
The gunfire stopped. She sagged. Then it started up again.
She moved…
Nik, aware and gratified that his training had kicked in, shifted closer to the action. Flattened on the ridge of the bank, he saw yet another cop grab his chest and drop.
With nothing left to lose the killers were obviously willing to take as many lives as necessary to get away.
Palming his gun, Nik decided his best chance was to go around through the brush and trees to get closer to the SUV from the right. He’d get a clear shot at Butterball and the other turkey. That would leave just Bard, the same idiot hiding behind the open door of their vehicle, screeching, being bloody annoying. Just then, Nik saw a man’s bound hands reaching from the open window, wrap around the loser’s neck and hold on. Bard struggled but couldn’t break loose. Eventually, he slumped over.
Julian!
Good man
.
Swiftly moving into place, Nik made his way to where he’d get the best advantage for a clear shot and took it. Clutching at his stomach, Bubba hit the ground. The other gunman swung Nik’s way and a round of bullets decimated much of his camouflage.
Crab-crawling, Nik worked around to the next clump of trees. From there, he could see the gunman disappearing to the other side of the vehicle.
Assessing the situation came naturally to him. Distancing himself from his rioting emotions took more effort but it paid off. He was in complete control. It felt good. Taking a few seconds, he scanned the area. Near to where he’d left Maya, he saw a dark shadow moving toward the action.
Shit!
Why didn’t that woman ever do as she was told? Immediately, his body’s responses invaded his composure. Sweat pooled all over his body and spurts of rampant adrenaline were spiking, leaving his breathing choppy and his head reeling.
Tires screeching caught his attention. When the gunman had been focused on Nik, the last cop had made it safely into a squad car and was backing it up, trying to get away. Except, then, the road would be open for the SUV to disappear.
No fucking way he’d get back in the big rig with Maya driving. And since the other cruiser had been shot up pretty badly, if they had to follow, it would be their only choice.
Uh-uh! This had to stop now. Thinking to keep the gunman’s attention on him and away from Maya, noisy on purpose, he kept zigzagging until he had the demolished cruiser for protection. Shots followed him all the way, ravaging the foliage in his wake; the panicky fool with the gun fired at anything that moved.
From the glow of the receding headlights, Nik knew exactly when the shooter realized there was someone sneaking around behind him. Breaking cover, Nik tried to draw the prick’s attention away from Maya.
He knew he was visible and stayed that way just as long as it took for the douchebag to turn on him. Then he rolled to the right and fired a couple of times, but not before the gunner got off another barrage of bullets… this time toward Maya.
Suddenly, the headlights from the retreating car advanced. Seemed like the cop wasn’t running away, just swinging the vehicle around to line it up and put the sniper on stage.
It worked like a hot damn. Seeing the approaching headlights baffled the prick. He ran toward the bush, trying to lose himself in the dark. Nik’s bullet in the thigh brought him to the ground. And Maya arrived just in time to kick the gun away, straddle and hold the sucker until the furious officer left his vehicle and came running, handcuffs swinging.
“I’ll take the bastard now, ma’am. Damn glad to see you two.” He smiled up at Nik as he approached and then punched the whiner, wiggling on the ground under him. “Shut up, asshole.” Another whack and the prisoner got the message and lay quiet. “I called for backup. They’re coming, I can hear the sirens. There’re three officers down back there who need medical attention.”