Fatal Vendetta

by Sharon Dunn

  She heard a groan from the backseat. Was that Zach trying to tell her he was okay or was the pain so unbearable he had to cry out?

  As the road became rougher, she slowed the car down. “How are you going to get out of here? They’ll know this car was stolen.”

  “I’ve already hidden two cars and one body. I have a cell phone and a man with a helicopter who owes me a favor. In a matter of hours, I’ll be back in Seattle, sitting at my desk, ready to attend a party for me making partner in my law firm. That’s how it works, Elizabeth. I win. I always win.”

  The rage that simmered inside her started to boil. She knew she needed to keep it under control and wait for the right moment. Craig Miller was not getting away with this again. There had to be some justice in this world. Then she noticed Craig still had not clipped into his seat belt after aiming the gun at Zach.

  Craig leaned forward. “This looks like the end of the earth here. Stop the car and get out. Get that loser boyfriend of yours out of the car, as well.”

  The anger inside her exploded. She pressed the accelerator to the floor.

  “What are you doing?” Craig gripped the armrest.

  The car crashed down the hill through brush and over small trees as it lurched and lunged. She kept her feet on the gas as a large tree loomed in front of her. She braced for impact.

  Metal crumpled. Craig screamed. The car was an older model without air bags. The car body seemed to vibrate for a long moment after impact. She opened her eyes. Craig rested his head against the window. She could see that he was still breathing.

  It had been a calculated risk to crash the car. Aside from some bruising, the seat belt had saved her. She pushed open the door and hurried to the backseat.

  Zach still looked very pale. He smiled at her. “Good job.”

  She reached over and unclicked his seat belt. “Can you move?” Zach still held his hand over his bloodstained forearm.

  “It’s just a graze.”

  She wondered if he was lying to keep her from worrying.

  Zach slid across the seat and placed his feet on the ground. “We should get his gun.”

  In the front seat, Craig groaned.

  She leaned forward and scanned the floor of the car, not seeing the gun anywhere. It must be under Craig’s body.

  Craig stirred and lifted his head. They needed to get away before he could shoot them.

  “Too risky. No time. Let’s get out of here.” She wrapped her arm around Zach’s waist. The mountain was steep. Making it back up to the road was slow going.

  Craig tumbled out of the car still not completely coherent. They both increased their pace. Her legs strained on the steep hill. Zach broke free from her and tried to stand on his own. From the way he bent over, he was very weak.

  Craig was still stumbling around. They had precious few minutes before they would be used for target practice again.

  NINETEEN

  Zach could feel himself losing strength by the minute from the blood loss. But for Elizabeth’s sake, he wasn’t going to give up the fight that easily.

  He glanced down the mountain. Though he couldn’t see clearly, it looked like Craig was making his way up to them.

  He directed Elizabeth toward some brush. Crouching caused pain to slice across his shoulder. He swallowed a groan.

  He could hear Craig moving in the brush behind them, gaining on them.

  He stepped close to Elizabeth and whispered, “I’m slowing you down. Go without me.”

  She shook her head adamantly. “We’re in this together.”

  They pushed through the brush. From the sound of it, Craig was parallel to them but unable to find them in the darkness and thick undergrowth. They pressed close together, not moving. Craig may be somewhat debilitated from the accident, but the gun and their injuries gave him too much of an advantage.

  Craig’s footsteps drew farther away. Chances were he’d double back in minutes. They needed to come up with a plan that didn’t involve them having to outrun him. Neither of them had the strength to do that.

  He waited until Craig’s footsteps faded completely. He touched Elizabeth lightly on the elbow and directed her back down the hill.

  “Back to the car,” he whispered. It was a huge risk. Would the car even start? Would they be able to navigate the incline?

  The first gunshot flared behind them when they were halfway down the hill. He could see the metal gleam of the car in the moonlight. Each step on the incline caused pain to charge through him. They reached the car. It didn’t look like it was too tightly wedged against the tree. Both doors were still open. He jumped into the driver’s side. Elizabeth had left the key in the ignition.

  The engine churned but didn’t start. Elizabeth craned her neck. “I can’t see where he is.” Panic filled her voice.

  Another shot boomed. This one shattered the back windshield. Elizabeth bent forward. He tried the key again. This time it fired to life. Elizabeth clicked her seat belt into place and then reached over and did the same for him.

  “It saved your life once,” she said.

  He shifted into Reverse and pressed the gas. The metal of the car body creaked and groaned. He met with resistance at first, but managed to back it away from the tree. He turned the wheel sharply.

  Elizabeth screamed. Craig appeared at the passenger window, which was partially rolled down. He reached in and grabbed at Elizabeth. He must be out of bullets if he was trying the up-close-and-personal approach.

  “I’ll get you,” Craig yelled. His words dripped venomous hate.

  Elizabeth leaned toward Zach, seeking to get away from Craig’s grasp. Sheer terror etched across her features. Craig stepped away from the car as it picked up speed.

  Zach focused on the steep terrain, swerving to avoid the larger trees and rocks that would make them crash again. The car bumped over smaller logs and brush. The incline grew steeper. Elizabeth pressed her back against the seat and gripped the armrest.

  The car caught air and landed with a jolt. The engine seized. White-hot pain vibrated across his shoulder and arm.

  He leaned forward and turned the key in the ignition. This time, it sputtered and died. They’d landed on a steep incline with the front end of the car facing down. The car eased forward. Metal crunched and bent.

  He fumbled for his seat belt. “Bail.”

  He pushed open the door and tumbled out as the car slid down the mountain. They heard the crash and crumpling of metal somewhere in the distance below them. As the dust cleared, he caught a glimpse of Elizabeth sitting, bracing her hands behind her.

  He rose to his feet with some effort and groaning.

  She looked up at him. “Good timing there, Zach.”

  He appreciated that she could find humor at a moment like this. He reached out a hand to her.

  “I can get up on my own. You look like you can barely stand.” Her voice was filled with concern.

  Even if they’d managed to shake Craig, they had a long way to go before they were safe.

  They walked down the remainder of the hillside until it leveled off. He knew it was up to them to find their way back to civilization. He moved slower every minute they were out here. They didn’t have much time.

  Elizabeth must have picked up on something in his posture because she hurried over to him and slipped under his arm to offer support. They stumbled along what looked like an old logging road.

  In the distance, they heard the sound of a helicopter. He couldn’t see anything in the night sky. It could be rescue, and or it could be Craig getting picked up by his friend.

  “We should probably seek some cover,” he said. “Until it’s clear if that is a friend or foe.”

  They wandered toward some trees. If it was Craig, would he try to save himself and get out of here
without trying to find them again? The more likely scenario was that he would make sure they were both dead and then leave. Having witnesses would be his undoing, even if he could manage to escape.

  Zach’s knees buckled just as they entered the cover of some trees.

  Elizabeth collapsed on the ground beside him. Her voice filled with worry. “You need medical attention.”

  The helicopter noise grew louder.

  “Elizabeth, save yourself. You’re better off going without me.”

  “I won’t leave you.” She touched his cheek.

  He pulled her hand away. “There is no reason we both have to die. You can get back and tell them what Craig has done.”

  The helicopter grew louder. Though the trees provided cover for them, it sounded like the chopper was directly above them.

  “Hide over there in that brush,” she said.

  “Good, you’re going to save yourself,” he said.

  She helped him make his way to the hiding spot.

  She leaned close to his ear. “No, I’m going to create a distraction, so we both can get out of here.”

  * * *

  Elizabeth raced through the forest, getting far enough away from Zach so she wouldn’t give away his location. Then she burst out from the trees. The chopper was low to the ground. The dark color told her it wasn’t a rescue chopper.

  She waited until the chopper turned, spotting her, before she took off running. She wove in and out of the trees so she’d disappear and then come back into view. The chopper kept up with her.

  The force of its blades created a windstorm around her. If she could lead them far enough away and then lose them, she might be able to circle back for Zach.

  She came out into an open area. The chopper was loud at her back. The first rifle shot caused her to stutter in her steps. She recovered quickly and sprinted ahead, running in a zigzag pattern to avoid being an easy target. The undergrowth was thick up ahead. If she could make it there, she’d be shielded. They would have to get out on foot to find her.

  She was thirty yards from the thick undergrowth when another shot whizzed past her. She dove to the ground and crawled.

  A bright light shone on her. She rolled to one side and edged toward the tall grass. The searchlight swept past her as the helicopter landed in the open meadow. From her vantage point, she saw one man get out. The bright light made it impossible for her to tell if it was Craig or not.

  She waited until the spotlight swept in the other direction and then crawled into the deeper brush. She pushed herself to her feet and resumed running. She didn’t hear noises behind her. Maybe she’d shaken her pursuer. Her run slowed to a trot. Her own footsteps seemed almost too loud. Her heart raged inside her chest, and she ached all over, especially her injured foot. She slowed down even more, listening for approaching footsteps.

  The silence was even more frightening than the sound of someone hot on her heels. She wondered what her pursuer had planned. Had she really been able to shake him that easily?

  She turned in the general direction of where she’d left Zach. A branch broke behind her. She pressed against a tree, holding her breath. She heard only a single footstep press on the thick, twig-laden forest floor.

  After a long moment and no further noise, she pushed herself off the tree and took a tentative step. Her pulse drummed in her ears. The hairs stood up on the back of her head. She sensed someone was close.

  Why wasn’t he using his flashlight? He must want to ambush her.

  She lifted her foot and placed it cautiously on the soft ground. She absorbed all the noise around her but didn’t pick up on anything that sounded human. Yet she sensed she was under threat.

  She took a few more cautious steps. Once the moonlight provided enough illumination to mark a clear path, she sprinted with all her strength.

  Though she still didn’t hear anything, she could feel the weight of eyes watching her. She slipped off the obvious path and veered through the thick forest, weaving around trees. Still, she felt the person behind her as if he were breathing down her neck even though he made no noise.

  She ran deeper into the forest, knowing she couldn’t return to Zach until she shook this man. She moved as fast as the darkness would allow until she couldn’t bring herself to run anymore. Stopping to catch her breath, she listened carefully to the sounds around her.

  Trees creaked. She thought she heard footfall that stopped seconds after she quit moving. Anxiety solidified inside her. Was she imagining she was being followed? If the man knew where she was, why didn’t he pounce on her? This couldn’t be Craig. This man was too stealthy. Anxiety snaked around her rib cage. She was too exhausted to keep up this cat and mouse game.

  She rolled herself around the tree so she was on the opposite side of it. Her first step was a careful one to make sure she was quiet and then she darted away. The landscape was nothing more than shadows. She wasn’t sure where she was going. Her only thought was that she needed to get away from this man.

  She ran until she was out of breath again. Stopping in a clearing, she rested her hands on her knees and sucked in air.

  The man pounced on her without warning. His arms were around her instantly, making it impossible to react before her hands were bound in front of her. He tossed her on the ground and disappeared into the trees.

  Minutes passed and then Craig appeared.

  “Did you like my accomplice? He’s a mercenary who got into a little trouble with the law. He won’t talk to anyone. He’s also a helicopter pilot.”

  Elizabeth pushed herself up in a sitting position and angled her body away from Craig.

  He grabbed her and spun her around. “This is the end for you, Elizabeth. You have discredited and tormented me enough.” He touched her cheek and tilted his head, drawing his lips into a pout. “But not before you and I have some fun.”

  A terror like she had never known invaded every cell of her body.

  Please, Lord, not again.

  TWENTY

  Despite the pain and weakness, Zach raced through the forest. He’d seen where the chopper had come down, which gave him a good idea of where to find Elizabeth. Entering the meadow, he crouched low, using the tree line for cover. The chopper looked abandoned. He strode over to it and peered inside.

  He fumbled through a tangle of gear behind the pilot’s seat until he found a knife, then he headed back to the forest. A muscular man emerged from the trees. Zach dove to the ground; pain radiated through him. The man strode over to the chopper. He lifted his chin as though alerted to some danger.

  Though the tall grass camouflaged Zach, he pressed his body against the earth. His shoulder hurt, and he was in an awkward position with his wounded arm under his stomach. He lifted his head to watch.

  The man turned a half circle, clearly scrutinizing each blade of grass. Something about the way the man carried himself and monitored his surroundings said he had military training. Where had Craig dug up this guy?

  The man walked the length of the chopper, still looking tense and alert. He must sense that something was amiss even though he wouldn’t know the knife was gone until he sorted through the pile of gear.

  Zach waited a few minutes more until the man moved to the other side of the chopper. Zach, crawling commando-style, eased toward the tree line. Pain throbbed through his shoulder and arm. His breathing was shallow. He kept moving until he made it to the cover of the trees. He took off through the forest to find Elizabeth. He’d tried to make as little noise as possible but still feared that the man in the chopper would be able to track him.

  He broke into a trot, feet pounding the ground. The breath scraping his lungs felt like it had tiny knives in it.

  Within a few minutes, he was gasping for air. His side hurt. He leaned against a tree.

  Oh, Lord, give me
strength. I need to find Elizabeth before it’s too late.

  He pushed himself off the tree and trod through the dense forest at a slower pace. Craig hadn’t been anywhere around the chopper, so he must be looking for Elizabeth, too—if he hadn’t caught her already.

  As he searched the shadows and listened for any sign that humans were close, he feared he might be too late.

  He didn’t have the smallest warning when a hand reached out and grabbed the back of his neck.

  The voice in the darkness was a gruff one. “Stop right there, partner.”

  Zach held up both hands. In his weakened state, he was no match for this man.

  “No more running. You can kiss your life goodbye.”

  * * *

  With his face still very close to hers, Craig scraped a thumb down Elizabeth’s cheek. She pressed her lips together and swallowed the scream that shot up her throat. She wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of hearing her cry out.

  Find the rage, Elizabeth. Fight back.

  He leaned close to her.

  Fear flickered past her awareness, but then resolve formed inside her, stronger than hardened steel. Craig Miller was not going to hurt her or any woman ever again.

  Her hands were bound in front of her, but her fingers were free. She pretended to relax a little as Craig brushed his cheek over hers and dug his fingers into her shoulder. She reached out toward his stomach and twisted the skin at the same time that she sank her teeth into his shoulder.

  Craig recoiled backward. She didn’t need to see his eyes to know they were filled with rage.

  Before he had time to recover, she swung her bound hands like a hammer against the side of his head and then brought her leg up and kicked him underneath his chin. The move made him fall on his back. She kicked him again and again in the side. He rolled over and curled up in a ball, not looking like he was even going to try to fight back.

  In the moment before she took off running, she saw Craig Miller for who he really was. A bully, a pathetic bully, who would never again control her life.