Turbulent Intrigue (Billionaire Aviators 4)

“I saw her sneak out through the front driveway,” Stormy admitted when it appeared as if he was going to panic.

“And you didn’t stop her?” Ace thundered.

“I figured she needed a minute by herself,” Stormy said as she shifted on her feet.

Ace didn’t say anything more. Instead he ran back to his car and peeled out of the driveway, his windows down as he frantically searched for her. He was sure there was nothing wrong, but he wouldn’t feel better until he saw her.

He was pulling through an area where a trail started when he heard a scream. Without a second thought, he skidded to the side of the road, pulled out his gun, and began sprinting in the direction of the cry. He had no doubt that cry had come from her. What would have made her think taking a walk was a good idea?

Turning a corner, he found Dakota sprawled out on the ground. She whipped her head around, obvious relief filling her eyes at the sight of him. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or throw her over his shoulder and smack her ass the entire way to his vehicle. Because they were in no way out of danger, he rushed to her and knelt down. He grabbed her arm to pull her to her feet, scanning the area around them the entire time.

“What happened? Why are you out here?” he fired off.

“Someone grabbed me,” she told him, anger in her eyes. “I kicked him in the groin, surprising him, and he took off that way when he heard you,” she said, pointing down the trail.

Ace was torn. He needed to get Dakota back to safety, but this might be his chance to catch the monster responsible for terrorizing her. But then again, it might just be another goon. He didn’t know what to do.

“Go get him,” she said, as if there was no other choice.

“I can’t leave you alone,” he told her, frustration mounting as the perpetrator ran farther away from them.

“I’ll go right back to the house,” she assured him.

“No, go back down the trail and get in my car. Drive back. I’ll be right behind you,” he told her. Then he ran off after her attacker. He hoped and prayed she listened to him for once in her life. The guy must have been watching the property for some time, just waiting for an opportunity—and that asshole had found it.

As Ace gained speed, he turned a corner and saw someone running at full speed up ahead, their head covered with a hat. Ace picked up his pace, his gun stable in his hand. He was going to get to this man, and he damn sure was going to make him talk.

A few seconds later, he heard the sound of traffic. He realized they were coming back out into the open. The man disappeared in front of him around another bend, and then Ace heard a vehicle peeling out. He moved even faster, his gun clutched in his fingers. He knew he was going to be too late, but that didn’t stop him from trying to get to the guy.

When Ace broke out onto the street, traffic sped by, and he knew the guy was long gone. He had to get back to Dakota, and he had to do it now. Hopefully she’d listened and was at the house by now, but he went to where he’d parked his SUV instead. After all, she might not have left.

And what if this distraction had been their plan all along, and he’d played perfectly into their hands? The thought made his forehead break out in a cold sweat as he sped quickly back to the street where he’d slammed his car into park, praying he hadn’t just handed her over to them. She’d be the ultimate bargaining chip. There was no way Ace was allowing the woman he loved to get hurt.

That thought sent his heart racing all over again, but he pushed it down. He didn’t have time to panic. He had to get to Dakota and get her out of the open. Then he would be ready to take down Nestor. He’d die before he let that man hurt Dakota or anyone else in his family.

When he reached the street, he found Dakota standing by his vehicle. He felt his frustration growing. He was glad she was safe, but she should have done what he’d said—then she’d be safe with his family.

There were cars driving by and other people walking, so Ace quickly sheathed his weapon so he didn’t scare the bystanders. But he didn’t slow his pace. He wouldn’t feel comfortable until he had Dakota in his vehicle and the two of them were back home.

Ace was still about four hundred yards away from Dakota when a vehicle with tinted windows raced down the road, doing a spin right in front of where she stood. Her head whipped up as she looked at Ace, a question in her eyes.

Ace was still running, but again, he was going to be too late. He had no doubt about it. He called out to her to get down, to roll beneath his SUV. But she seemed to be in shock. It was all happening too fast. A few people were standing frozen on the sidewalk across the street, watching in confusion at the scene playing out before them.

The window on the car lowered, and though Ace reached for his weapon again, it was too late. A shot rang out, and he felt the burn of the bullet impact his side. It didn’t slow him down. He moved forward, fighting against the pain.

He lifted his gun and fired, but his aim was off because of the wound in his side. He was winded from running full force toward Dakota. Another shot rang out. This one hit him in the same shoulder where he’d been hit before, sending him flying backward as additional pain ripped through him.

The pedestrians, who’d been watching in horror, screamed and dropped to the ground, quickly crawling into the nearby shrubs. Ace didn’t even look at them as he jumped back to his feet.

This time when he took aim, the bullet went in through the vehicle’s front window. A scream could be heard ringing across the nearly empty parking lot. The car squealed away, and Ace rushed forward to Dakota. He finally reached her and let out the smallest breath of relief.

He covered her body with his as he looked around, watching as the black car spun out of the lot. Maybe this would be the end of it. He somehow doubted it, though. They weren’t going to give up this opportunity.

“Are you okay?” he asked her. “Have you been shot?” His hands were roaming over her body, his own wounds temporarily forgotten.

“I’m fine, Ace,” she told him as she held up a hand to block the blood pouring from him. “But you aren’t.”

“They are just flesh wounds, trust me,” he told her despite his breathing growing more ragged. “We need to get the hell out of here.”