Chapter 168
“And you still have the guts to come outside?” Claire shot a nervous glance at the car they were sitting in. Was it going to blow up again?
“It won’t,” Dane replied, almost like he could read her mind. “Last time, that explosion was actually a plan I set up myself, using their own tricks against them p>
“The people from Apex have all been arrested. It’s not easy for anyone from outside to get into the country. And honestly, the local experts here are no joke. Without proper weapons, it’s pretty much impossible for anyone to get to me p>
So for now, he was safe. Or at least, safe enough.
“Does Baldrick know you live like this every day? Always on the edge?” Claire asked.
Dane went quiet.
Claire realized she might’ve crossed a line. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be poking into your family stuff p>
It was his private business. Maybe even something classified. She really had no right to ask.
Dane shook his head. “It’s alright. He doesn’t know. He’s getting older and I don’t want him worrying about this kind of thing p>
“Got it,” Claire said, nodding quickly. “You can trust me. I’m good at keeping secrets. I won’t say a word p>
She barely finished her sentence when the car suddenly jolted.
“Dane, there are a few cars following us!” Claire glanced at the rearview mirror, then out the window. She caught on right away.
These maniacs behind them were trying to force their car off the road.
They were coming up on the city’s moat. Did these guys actually want to send them into the water?
Claire’s face tightened.
The driver was steady enough, but he wasn’t as experienced as the last guy. When something like this happened out of nowhere, he just wasn’t quick enough.
Claire looked at Dane. “Do you trust me p>
Dane stared at her, confused. “What are you planning to do p>
There was a wild, excited look in Claire’s eyes that Dane couldn’t quite place. “I’m going to jump into the front seat and help the driver lose them p>
“Are you actually a good driver?” Dane wasn’t doubting her, but Claire was so petite and delicate. She was already a doctor, a hacker, and now she was a getaway drive too?
Wasn’t that a little too much for someone who had just turned eighteen? Who even taught her all this?
Claire made a face. “I wouldn’t say I’m great. If you let me drive, we’ll probably rack up a bunch of tickets p>
Dane caught her meaning and shrugged. “Tickets don’t matter p>
“Deal. I’ll call some friends to help out p>
Claire squeezed into the front seat, her phone already in her hand. She dialed a number.
“Claire? It’s late. What’s up p>
“Nash, I’m being chased. I need backup. Grab a few fast cars and meet me at Sierra Pass Highway p>
“I’ll send you the license plates. You know how to box someone in, right p>
As soon as she hung up, Claire’s fingers flew over her phone. She opened up a
group chat, dropped a map, and started assigning everyone their spots.
Nash told the rest what was going on and a bunch of people were instantly interested. Maybe they weren’t doing it just to help, but the whole thing felt like an adrenaline-fueled game and
everyone wanted a piece of it.
Thanks to Claire’s messages, six cars took off from all over the city, all racing toward Sierra Pass Highway.
The view here was wide open. Once everyone was in position, Claire started calling out directions to the driver.
“Turn the wheel all the way right, step on it, weave like a snake p>
The driver listened to every word she said.
Inside the car, it felt like a roller coaster. Claire was totally in her element, buzzing with excitement.
She left the group voice chat open, and everyone else was shouting and cheering through her phone.
Honestly, her friends were a little too hyped.
Their wild energy must’ve rubbed off on the driver, too. Even though he’d started out nervous, he was finally starting to loosen up getting caught up in the crazy thrill of the chase.