Paradise Falls (Paradise Falls #1-5)(24)

A town cop parked in one of the gas stations, but of course they let Elliot just roll on by. The slow pursuit went on through the newer section of town before the highway narrowed into the country. The shoulders went to soft gravel, and the cornfields swept up to the edge of the road.

Where the hell was he going?

Elliot rounded a curve and turned into some kind of biker hangout. Except for a few gleaming bikes parked under a canopy by the front door and enormous, late-seventies Chrysler Continental with ugly, blotchy green paint, the place was deserted.

Jacob continued to the truck stop maybe two hundred yards down the road, and kept a close eye on Elliot.

Elliot got out of his car, jogged up to the front door, and banged on it with his fist. The door opened and Elliot barged in, shouting something Jacob couldn’t quite understand.

Rain drummed on the roof, and Jacob’s fingers drummed on the wheel. Less than ten minutes later, Elliot stormed out loudly.

He had a decision to make. Take the information he’d gathered -Elliot was meeting with someone out here-or have a civil conversation with him.

As Elliot pulled out, Jacob’s foot grew heavy. He licked his lips, pulled his mask down over his face, and pushed the throttle. The car sprinted forward, crossed the oncoming lane until parallel to Elliot, then nosed into him.

The Charger’s tires screeched as Elliot whipped the wheel in a panic, sliding halfway off the road. The heavy car threatened to twist out of control when its tires hit the soft shoulder. Elliot slammed on the brakes, forcing his car to spin out and slide to a stop in the middle of the highway across the faded yellow lines.

Jacob got out of the Reliant and shoved the door closed before walking over to the Charger. Elliot shoved his door open and stormed out in a fury.

“What the f*ck!”

Jacob cut him off with a jab to his chin. The blow could’ve killed him if Jacob hit hard enough, especially with the gloves, but he just gave Elliot a little tap on the jaw that knocked him backwards.

Completely confused, Elliot sputtered and scrambled to the side of his car leaned on the side of the car for a second before standing.

“Do you have any idea who you’re f*cking with?”

“Like saying that, don’t you?” Jacob said.

Elliot lunged to the driver’s side. Jacob grabbed him by his belt and dragged him out, then tossed him on his ass. Elliot skidded backward and crab-walked away until he found his footing.

“Who are you?”

Jacob surged forward and backhanded him. The gloves split Elliot’s lip enough to send blood dripping down his chin. Elliot wailed and threw a clumsy punch.

Jacob could’ve ducked it but he was a figure of wood, letting Elliot punch him right in the jaw. He turned his head to soften the blow a little. Elliot followed up with a punch to his stomach, and then pulled both of his clutched hands back. Blood dripped from the knuckles on his left hand. The ceramic plate could take an assault rifle round.

“I can hurt you,” Jacob said. “But you can’t hurt me.”

“Wanna bet?” Elliot said.

Jacob didn’t reply.

“I will f*ck you up,” Elliot whined as he rubbed his lip. “I will f*cking end you. Your life won’t be worth-“

Jacob cut him off by taking his skinny little throat in his hand, fighting off the overwhelming urge to choke him. Elliot flailed around, trying to slap or kick his way free. Jacob spun him to pin him to the Charger’s side.

“Listen to me very carefully. You were at Jennifer Katzenberg’s house tonight.”

“I know who you are, now,” Elliot wheezed. “You simple f*ck. Just because that whore…”

That was it.

Jacob face twisted in fury under the mask, and he pulled Elliot back and drove his face into the car’s fender. Elliot slumped back, clutching at his bleeding nose.

Jacob took him by the throat again.

“All I have to do is squeeze.”

Elliot tried to talk. Jacob tightened his grip.

“I’m not interested in what you have to say. I want you understand something.”

Jacob’s other hand patted Elliot down until he pulled out his wallet. He managed to remove Elliot’s driver’s license one handed. Jacob examined it before tucking it in Elliot’s pocket.

“Is that you? Is that where you live?”

Elliot nodded.

“If you bother her again, somebody is going to pay you a visit.”

Jacob loosened his grip.

“Try it, motherf*cker.” Elliot hollow threat didn’t phase him.

Jacob sighed softly, and squeezed again. “No. Not me. Someone you’ve never seen before. Understand?”

Elliot’s gaze filled with hatred while tears ran down his cheeks. He nodded, and Jacob let go.

Elliot sank to the ground.

“You can’t do this,” he whined. “My Dad will…”

That was it. Jacob had to leave now, or he’d kill him.

He slipped into the Reliant and pulled away, leaving Elliot panting and slump to the pavement.

As soon as he was out of sight, Jacob retrieved his phone.

Faisal answered. “Sir?”

“Faisal, meet me at drop number two. I need a ride, and this car is burnt, get rid of it. Scrub it first.”

“Yes, sir,” Faisal said. “I’ll meet you there presently.”