Nash: A Rough Romance by Piper Stone (book series for 12 year olds txt) 📕

I continued to dart glances into the rearview mirror. While I’d yet to see anyone who might be after Mitch, my gut told me the assholes were out there.

“It’s freezing in here,” she muttered as she toyed with the heating system.

For some reason, I didn’t feel the cold on any level. I was far too hyped, the blood flowing like wildfire through my system. As the truck’s tires continued to shimmy back and forth across the ice, my instinct kicked into overdrive motion, doing everything I could to steady the steering wheel.

“Where are we going?” she asked as she gripped the dashboard.

I wasn’t even entirely certain how to answer her question. “Missoula.”

“They’ll find us anywhere. You don’t know Dante Giordani.”

“Not as long as I’m alive and I know his type, Mitch.” We’d gone less than a half mile, the snow deep enough it would take us hours to get to the freaking main road. My anger was at the boiling point, every muscle in my body tense.

“But you’re not worried?” she asked, her voice strained.

I lifted the weapon into my hand. “They have no clue who the hell I am or what I can do.”

The road was barely passable, the snow drifts becoming worse after only half a mile. When the tires hit another patch of ice, the truck was tossed to the side. The blur of snow drifting over the hood was blinding, everything around us becoming a blur. Suddenly, it was as if slow motion took over, my gut forcing me to turn my head toward the side window.

Pop! Pop!

The hard thud as one of the bullets went through the frame of the truck was jarring, but not nearly as much as the two assholes appearing only fifty yards in front.

“Look out!” Mitch screamed as she threw out her arm, pointing out the ice-covered windshield.

There was little time to react, even less time to avoid hitting the two assholes. Another spray of snow pelted against the grille as I gunned the engine.

“No. No. No!”

Her screams echoed in my ears as I plowed my way through. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the two assholes managing to jump to the side, which was an extreme feat given the depth of snow. My guess was that there were more than just two of them. Unfortunately, I hadn’t caught sight of their vehicle.

“Where the hell is the truck you brought up the mountain?” I asked, shifting my gaze from the rearview mirror out both sides. Thank God, the damn bullet hadn’t hit the gas tank, which was what the assailant was going for.

“I don’t know! Everything looks the same. I know I rolled into a tree.”

Huffing, I knew we’d gone just a little over a mile. Her truck had to be around here somewhere.

I couldn’t waste any additional time.

“Oh, my God. What are you going to do?” she asked, gasping for air.

“Drive, sweetheart. Drive.” I continued rolling down the road, knowing at any time I’d see their vehicle. When I did, the Range Rover barely off the road with no occupants, I took a chance, one I knew might save our lives.

I eased the truck to a stop.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Her demanding tone was laced with fear.

“Doing what’s necessary in order to keep us alive. And don’t you dare think about getting out of this truck.” I grabbed the weapon, checking the clip. Thank God there were several bullets remaining. As I stepped out of the truck, I heard her stilted yet beautiful voice behind me.

“Be careful, Reaper.”

Careful. As if I’d ever been that way my entire life.

The wind was even more biting, cutting through the thin shirt I was wearing, the snow deep enough that even the few steps I took were laborious. As I held the weapon in both hands, I listened for any tell-tale signs one of the others was close by. Other than the whistling wind, ice pellets skipping over the hood of the truck, the quiet was almost eerie.

I took aim, popping off two shots, catching both tires exactly where I wanted. That would keep the fuckers from going anywhere. However, we had no time to waste. While communication efforts were dead on the mountain, my guess was they’d need to check in. That would give us a few hours.

Maybe.

Mitch had her head down as I slid back into the truck.

“You all right?” I asked after shifting into second gear.

“I’m fine.”

“Yeah, you don’t have to lie to me.”

“Why is this happening? Why?” she asked vehemently. “I did nothing wrong in my life. Nothing.”

“Shit happens. The sooner you figure that out, the better.”

There was no need to turn my head in her direction. I could feel her cold, hard stare.

“I’m sorry you’re so damn jaded, Reaper, and that you have to use a fucking name that denotes death. What a shame you have such a chip on your shoulder. Whatever you went through while serving in the military doesn’t give you the right to judge my life.”

She was right. Of course she was. However, given the circumstances, I was in no mood to coddle her. “Let’s get this clear. You asked for my protection. You made a deal. You reneged on the deal and you almost got yourself killed. It’s time for you to shut your mouth and listen.”

“God, I hate you.”

“Hate me all you want, sweetheart, but I’m probably the only man in this state who can keep you alive.”

“You know what? I’m not sure I give a—”

A single shot echoed in my mind as glass flew, the truck skidding. I was losing control. Hell, no. Fuck!

Chapter 6

Reaper

Dangerous bullshit.

Terror.

I’d dealt with a certain amount of fear, but this shit was ridiculous. We were lucky that the bullet had entered through the center of the windshield, immediately smashing through the back window. I slammed my hand on the steering wheel as cracks continued to spider in every direction.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my tone demanding. I could hear her