Deviation (Clone Chronicles #2)(77)

Chapter Twenty


We make it to the street, but my relief is short-lived. We’re on the opposite side of the building from where Obadiah is supposed to be waiting.

I look around and wipe my sweaty palms on my dress. Linc is beside me, scanning the area warily.

“That completes my leg of the tour,” Daniel says in a hushed voice laced with exhaustion. He looks at Linc with heavy lids ringed in circles. He’s cradling his injured arm to his chest. “Now what?”

“This way.” Linc slips his hand. We make our way toward the main road at the front of the alley. Before we reach it, Linc leads us left into another side-alley.

Too narrow for a car, this one is no more than a footpath. We weave back and forth, dodging puddles of something that’s not water. I wrinkle my nose at the smell. Trash lines both sides until I have no choice but to walk through the puddles. I hesitate, wishing hard for shoes even if it means neck-breaking heels.

“Here,” Linc says, scooping me up and carrying me amid my protests.

“I can walk, Linc,” I say, feeling silly at the way Daniel watches me in Linc’s arms.

Linc glances down at me with a tender expression. “I know,” he says quietly before switching back to the path ahead.

I don’t argue again.

Linc keeps to the shadows against the wall of the building behind us. He moves slowly, careful of his steps. Behind us, Daniel is winded and sluggish. It’s clear he won’t make it much longer. I listen for footsteps or any other noise behind us but there’s nothing.

The path opens up and I recognize where we are. To my right is the side entrance Titus always uses when he wants to arrive under the radar. A mint green, boat-sized sedan idles at the curb. Its exhaust sends a cloud of whiteish smoke into our faces. The back windshield is foggy, making it impossible to see inside. I feel the first hint of victory and it makes me want to run.

Linc sets me down and I immediately move for the car.

“Wait,” Linc calls but it’s too late.

The moment I step out into the open, a shot rings out. I drop to the pavement. Nothing hurts yet but I know from experience that doesn’t mean I’m not injured. I roll to the side and brace myself for the pain that must be so bad it’s delayed its arrival to my brain. The blood on my arm is a startling and paralyzing sight until I remember it’s been there all along.

Hands catch me and stop me from rolling. Linc lifts me up and we all retreat back into the shadows. Daniel’s hands are on my feet and legs, moving steadily upward. “Where’s she hit? I can’t see blood,” Daniel whispers.

“I think he missed,” I manage to say.

“Get your hands off her,” Linc says through gritted teeth. He sounds desperate, on the verge of rage. I look up at him but he’s staring at Daniel in a way that leaves no room to notice anything else.

I pull his head down to mine. “I’m okay,” I say, holding his gaze until I can see my words sink in. “Okay?” I add.

He blows out a heavy breath. His eyes clear. “Okay,” he says.

“Can I stand now?” I ask.

“Don’t go anywhere.” He sets me on my feet and positions himself in front of me. I crane my neck to see around him but the alley looks empty. “You think it’s Emile?” I whisper.

“Most likely,” Linc says. He exchanges a look with Daniel. “If it were anyone else …”

“What?” I say.

Daniel finishes, “They wouldn’t have missed. And they wouldn’t have fired just once.”

I try not to think about that. “Well, we can’t just stay here all night. Obadiah’s out there. We can’t let Emile get him.”

“We need a weapon.”

Linc reaches around his back and brandishes the gun he swiped from Taylor. “We’re going now,” he says. His tone leaves no room for arguing—or doubt. “I’ll cover you both. When I say, I want you to run for the car. Don’t stop no matter what.” He looks at me, his chin jutting out and I know I won’t like whatever he’s about to say. “As soon as you’re in, tell Obadiah to go.”

“We’re not leaving without you,” I say.

“You will if I don’t make it to that car.” Linc looks at Daniel, his jaw and shoulders set. “If I don’t make it, take her away from here.”

Daniel nods. “You got it.”

“Linc, I’m not—”

“Go.” Daniel leaps out and begins to run. I don’t move.

Linc shoves me roughly. “Go!” he repeats.

The moment I step away, a shot rings out. Linc shoves me aside, aiming in the direction the shot came from. I don’t know if he can see Emile from here, and I can’t afford to stand here any longer to prove my point.

I run.

Daniel reaches the car first. He yanks the back passenger door open and dives in.

I hear another shot behind me. It sounds closer. I’m fairly certain it came from Linc’s gun but I can’t stop to look. Not yet.

My pulse pounds in my ears. Only a few more steps. I reach the car, but instead of diving in after Daniel, I stop and wedge myself in behind the door. Using it as a shield, I scan the alley for Linc.

He’s not far away but he’s not moving in this direction. Panic rises. He’s stalking along the wall, keeping to the shadows, creeping toward the back of the alley. I don’t see Emile but Linc seems focused on something only he can see.