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“Shut up, Howie,” I said

“Has anyone checked the trunk?” Howie stage-whispered

“Shut up, Howie,” the rest of us chorused I shook ht here If they didn’t want to pass, what did they want?

As atched, the car picked up speed “I think they’re going to—” Before Saul could finish his sentence, the car rear-ended us, sending a hard jolt through the van

“What the hell,” Lester said, his face pale “What does this guy think he’s doing?”

“Keep going, Chris,” Saul said, voice shaky “There’s so here”

Chris’s knuckles were bone white against the steering wheel “Everyone hold on,” he said, his voice tight “I’ to try to lose them”

He picked up speed, and one by one, we all reached for the closest seat belts Our eyes were fixed out the rear , on the dark sedan that kept pace with us easily After a few moments, the sedan came around to flank us

“I think that’s—” Darren began at the same time Jason said, “It’s Cole and Heath!”

Valentina’s lackeys? My mind raced I knew Valentina would be pissed e ducked out on her, but this seemed extre us off the road

The next fewsilence Beside me, Saul shifted

“Is everyone okay?” he asked His voice trembled on the question

I flexed my limbs experimentally They all seemed to be intact, if a little bruised “I’uys confirh the crash unharmed

The side door renched open, revealing a glowering Cole “Well, look who it is,” he growled “The arsonists themselves”

Waitarsonists?

Heath appeared next to him, round face shiny with sweat “Did you really think you would get aith it?” he said “Setting that fire and sneaking out like cowards?”

I finally foundabout?” I asked “What fire?”

“Like you don’t know,” Cole scoffed

“The Ball had another fire?” Darren asked “Was anyone hurt?”

A fire I felt my chest constrict Could I sain?

“Don’t try to act innocent,” Heath said “We knoas you Why else would you pack up all your stuff and skip town? You think you can skip out on your debt?”