The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the city as Vaughn sat in the backseat of the sleek black car, his small hands clutching the stuffed animal he’d taken to school.
His legs dangled above the floor, too short to reach, but his attention was on the passing trees outside.
It had been a long day for the four-year-old, filled with games, lessons, and a snack he didn’t much care for, and now all he wanted was to get home.
Nick, the driver, glanced at Vaughn in the rearview mirror, offering him a small smile. “We’re almost home, young master,” he said, his tone warm.
Vaughn smiled back faintly, but something about the road ahead seemed off.
As they neared a stoplight, Nick’s experienced eyes caught something unusual… another car, a black SUV, riding too close for comfort.
It had been behind them for the last few turns, and while it wasn’t uncommon for cars to share the same route, Nick’s instincts, honed by years of serving the Moretti family, told him something wasn’t right.
He shifted in his seat, subtly pressing on the gas as the light turned green, picking up speed as they turned onto the main highway.
Yet, the SUV followed suit, maintaining its distance but never falling behind.
Nick’s brow furrowed, and he glanced at Vaughn, who was too young to fully grasp the danger but sensed the tension in the air.
Vaughn’s grip tightened on his stuffed toy, his wide eyes looking toward the front. “Nick… why is that car so close?”
“Stay calm, young master,” Nick replied, his voice steady despite the creeping fear. He gently accelerated, easing them into the fast lane.
But as they picked up speed, so did the SUV. It was no longer a coincidence; they were being followed.
Nick’s heart pounded in his chest, but his hands remained steady on the wheel. He had to keep Vaughn safe. “Hold on tight,” he said, voice firm now.
Vaughn’s small face went pale as he realized something was wrong.
His eyes darted nervously between the front seat and the rear window.
The car following them wasn’t just close.. it was menacing, its dark windows hiding whoever sat inside.
Nick’s pulse quickened as he checked his mirrors again.
They were now going well above the speed limit, weaving through traffic, but the SUV kept up, switching lanes effortlessly.
He cursed under his breath, realizing this wasn’t some random driver.. they knew what they were doing.
“Shit,” Nick muttered, trying to think of a plan.
He couldn’t lead them back to the Moretti mansion, not like this. Whoever was tailing them knew what they were after, and bringing danger to Vaughn’s doorstep wasn’t an option.
He swerved into a side street, tires screeching as they took a sharp corner, narrowly avoiding another car.
Vaughn yelped, clutching his stuffed animal tighter, his knuckles white. “Nick!” he called, his voice trembling, fear finally creeping into his innocent eyes.
“It’s okay, Vaughn,” Nick said, though his tone betrayed the calm he tried to maintain.
His mind raced.. he had to lose them. Another sharp turn, this time into an alley, the SUV still in pursuit, its headlights looming large in the rearview mirror like a predator closing in on its prey.
The alley was narrow, too narrow for comfort, but there was no choice. Nick floored the gas, the engine roaring as they sped through the tight space.
The black SUV followed, its tires squealing on the pavement, the walls of the buildings on either side a blur as both cars raced through.
Nick knew they couldn’t keep this up for long. One wrong move, and they’d crash. But slowing down wasn’t an option.
As they emerged from the alley onto a busy street, Nick made a split-second decision, swerving into oncoming traffic.
Horns blared, and cars veered to avoid them, but the maneuver bought them a few precious seconds of distance.
Vaughn screamed as they narrowly missed an oncoming truck, his small hands gripping the seatbelt for dear life.
The SUV hesitated, but only for a moment. I
t followed, relentless, weaving through the chaotic traffic with a terrifying precision. Whoever was behind the wheel knew what they were doing.. this wasn’t some random thug.
These were professionals.
Nick’s mind raced. He needed a plan, something to throw them off. The streets ahead were crowded, but there was an upcoming construction zone… a bottleneck. If he timed it right…
He slammed the gas again, the car lurching forward as they approached the narrow lane where only one car could pass at a time.
Nick took the lead, speeding through just as the SUV closed in. But the construction workers, oblivious to the chase, pulled out a barrier right after Nick’s car passed through, blocking the road.
The SUV screeched to a halt, tires smoking as it skidded to avoid crashing into the barrier. For a moment, Nick thought they were in the clear.
He let out a breath, glancing back at Vaughn, who was still trembling but otherwise okay. “We’re almost safe,” Nick reassured him, though the words felt hollow.
But as he took the next turn, Nick’s stomach dropped. Two more black SUVs appeared from the side street, blocking their path. He cursed again, realizing this wasn’t just a simple tail…this was a coordinated effort.
They were being hunted.
“Hold on!” Nick shouted as he spun the wheel, making a hard U-turn to avoid the trap. The tires screeched again, the car fishtailing before he regained control.
The SUVs were right behind them now, closing in like wolves on a cornered deer.
“Nick!” Vaughn cried, his voice small but terrified. The little boy clutched his toy to his chest, his face pale, as he looked out the window at the closing vehicles.
He was too young to understand fully, but he knew enough to be scared.
Nick’s mind raced. They were running out of options. The SUVs were faster, better equipped, and there were more of them now.
He had to do something drastic.