Page 73 of Viper

“Troy, it’s me,” she said, her voice drenched with hysteria. “We were just pulled over. The cop made Atlas get out of the car. He wasn’t even speeding!”

“Fuck. Did you catch the officer’s name?”

“Yeah, it’s Vokle.”

He cursed a blue streak. “We were just trying to locate him. That’s Craig’s stepbrother. I highly doubt this is a coincidence. Get behind the wheel and drive.”

Shock rooted her to the spot. “I can’t leave Atlas.”

“Paige, get the fuck out of there, now!” he bellowed.

She slid over the console and into the driver’s seat. She shifted into drive, but the SUV beeped.

No key detected.

Dizziness assaulted her. “Atlas must have the key,” she whisper-shrieked. “It won’t let me drive.”

“Where are you?” he demanded.

“Casey Key Road.”

Movement in the side-view mirror caught her eye. The cop was taking out his handcuffs.

Panic electrified her system. “Ohmigod! Atlas is being arrested!”

She watched in horror, gaping, as Atlas punched the cop. Vokle staggered and smacked into his vehicle. Atlas delivered another brutal punch to the man’s face, then he turned and ran toward their vehicle.

Vokle reached for a weapon.

“No!” she screamed, kicking open the door.

Atlas waved his arms at her. “Get in the vehicle!”

“Look out⁠—”

Something hit Atlas in the back. His eyes went wide and he fell to the ground, his body spasming violently.

Screams ripped from her throat and terror pinned her feet to the ground. She covered her mouth, her chest heaving.

She locked eyes with the cop.

He smirked, his hand still on the stun gun shocking Atlas.

“Stop! You’re hurting him!” She ran forward.

“Ah, ah. Back away or I’ll get you next.”

Atlas stretched his hand toward her, his face beet red and his eyes wide . . . then they slammed shut.

Her world tilted. She fell to her knees. A scream barreled from her throat like a never-ending avalanche.

Chapter Nineteen

“Fuck!” Troy tossed his phone into the cup holder and slammed his hand against the dash as he drove.

“What’s wrong, dude?” Havoc asked, from the passenger seat.

He couldn’t think. Couldn’t answer. His brain worked like a broken-down machine faltering with every turn of its gears. He needed to get to Paige.