Zain slid into the driver's seat while Lara pulled out her gun magazine, checked it quickly, then snapped it back in.
"He couldn't have gone far," she muttered.
"Buckle up then," Zain said with a grin, already flooring the pedal.
The tires screeched as the car shot forward. Night lights blurred into streaks of red and gold as they tore through traffic, chasing the black sedan ahead.
"There!" Lara pointed, eyes sharp. Dane's car was a few blocks ahead, weaving recklessly between lanes.
"Man drives like he's got nine lives," Zain said, twisting the wheel hard and cutting through a narrow gap.
"Keep up, or we'll lose him," she warned.
"Who said I'm the one lagging?" Zain quipped, smirking as he pushed harder. The car drifted around a tight corner, tires screaming. Lara grabbed the dashboard but didn't look away from the road.
"He's heading for the bridge," she said.
"Not if I beat him to it."
"Zain!"
He grinned and pulled another drift, sliding past a line of honking cars and closing in just enough for Lara to catch the glint of Dane's taillights. Her pulse spiked—they were almost there.
And then—chaos.
An ambulance siren blared as it swerved into their lane, cutting straight between them and the black car.
Zain cursed, slamming the brakes. "You've gotta be kidding me!"
Lara's hands dug into the dashboard as the car skidded to a stop. When the ambulance cleared, the street ahead was nothing but traffic and flashing lights. Dane's car was gone.
"Lost him," Zain said, exhaling through a grin that didn't quite hide his frustration.
Lara leaned back, jaw tight, eyes still scanning the road. "He planned that. He knew the route."
"Smart guy," Zain said, glancing sideways at her. "Almost as smart as you. Just less scary."
She shot him a glare that didn't last long. "Drive back."
Zain smirked. "You're not gonna yell at me for losing him?"
"I don't yell," Lara said quietly. "I get even."
Zain chuckled, shifting gears as they turned back. "That's what I like about you."
"Don't," she warned, finally looking at him.
He grinned. "Too late."