Chapter 38: Through the Gauntlet

The SUV hurtled through the dark tunnel, the headlights slicing through the pitch black. Ava felt every nerve in her body vibrating with tension. She could hear the roar of engines behind them, growing louder with every second—Collins’s men were still in pursuit, and they were closing in fast. Lucas sat beside her, his eyes scanning the tunnel’s length, his grip tight on his weapon. “They’re not giving up,” he muttered. “We need to find a way to lose them.” Daniel Price, the FBI agent driving the SUV, glanced at the rearview mirror. “The tunnel’s almost over. When we get out, I’ll take a sharp turn. It should throw them off for a few seconds. You’ll have to be ready.” Ava nodded, her heart pounding. “Ready for what?” Price gave her a grim smile. “For whatever comes next.” As they neared the end of the tunnel, the darkness suddenly gave way to blinding lights. Price jerked the wheel hard to the right, and the SUV swerved sharply, nearly tipping over as they rounded a corner. The s