Raven had always fantasized about being the center of attention. Just. not like this.
"Get on the damn bike, now!" Dante snapped, catching her wrist and pulling her toward the Scooty. His face was the epitome of 'I hate my life.'
She smiled. "So you do like my ride."
"I will throw you into traffic.
Gunshots rang out, shattering what little peace remained in the alleyway. The men hunting them weren't even trying to be discreet anymore. Bullets pinged off nearby dumpsters as Dante shoved her forward. "Drive!"
Raven swung her leg over the Scooty and revved the engine, wincing as pain flared in her injured shoulder. "Hold on tight, big guy."
"I'd rather be shot."
Too bad. Because the moment she peeled out of the alley, Dante had no option but to hold on to her waist as they zoomed into the street.
And by 'zoomed,' she meant 'moved slightly faster than a brisk jog.'
Dante's grip tightened. "Are we actually being chased for our lives on a hot pink Scooty right now?"
"Her name is Nightshade Express," Raven corrected, dodging in and out of cars with the skill of a person who very obviously didn't care about traffic laws. Her shoulder throbbed with each movement, but she ignored it—mostly because Dante's grip was so tight, it was cutting off circulation.
"Your funeral."
The black SUV behind them surged to life, tires squealing as it cut hard into traffic. Raven squinted into the rearview mirror, eyes fixed on the car closing in at a hair-raising pace.
Dante swore. "Faster."
"Oh, why didn't I think of that!" she snarled, turning the throttle all the way around. Her shoulder screamed in protest, but she gritted her teeth and pushed forward. The Scooty gave out a sad wheeze and sped up by maybe. two miles an hour.
Dante took a deep breath. "We're going to die."
"Correction—you may die. I possess main character energy."
Dante, who had clearly already given up on living, just rubbed his temples. "Turn left!
Raven cut into a narrow alley, almost hitting a trash can. The SUV, which was too large for the confined area, skidded and collided with a car parked by the side. More goons on motorcycles, unfortunately, emerged from the other direction.
"Well, that's not great," she grumbled. Her shoulder throbbing worse now from the tension.
Dante drew his gun. "Keep going."
"Where am I even supposed to go? We're in a dead-end alley!
Dante fired off a few shots, forcing the motorcyclists to swerve. Then he glanced up and smirked. "Take the ramp."
Raven followed his gaze. Ahead, a wooden construction ramp sloped up toward the roof of a low building.
"You're out of your mind."
"I know. Now hit the gas."
She didn't have time to protest. She targeted the ramp, squeezing the throttle with all her might. The Scooty complained in protest but somehow managed to climb the slope. For one glorious moment, they were flying.
Dante, the battle-hardened, fearless enforcer, emitted a very undignified yelp.
They landed on the rooftop with a loud thud. Raven let out a strangled groan as her shoulder took the brunt of the impact. The Scooty slid ahead before it finally stopped at the edge of the building. Raven gazed forward, hands still holding the handles.
Dante carefully unwrapped his fingers from her waist. "Never. Again."
"Ooh, did big bad Dante get frightened?" she she teased through gritted teeth, trying to ignore the sharp pain radiating down her arm.
Dante stepped off the Scooty, dusting himself off. "I hate you."
"I hear that a lot."
Down below, their pursuers were scrambling to follow them, but for the moment, they were out of harm's way. Raven took a deep breath, smiling at the mess they'd left.
"Okay, Mr. 'Fixer'," she said. Raven finally exhaled, grinning at the chaos they'd left behind, even as her shoulder pulsed angrily.
Dante surveyed their surroundings, checking his gun. "We have to determine who set that bounty on you."
She rolled her eyes. "Can we do it somewhere with something to eat? Near-death doesn't agree with me."
Dante shot her a glance. "Fine. But I get to choose the escape car next time."
Raven stroked Nightshade Express. "Don't be envious. You could never compare."
Dante gazed heavenward as if seeking divine patience. "This is my life now."
And with that, they took off into the great unknown—one eager for vengeance, the other merely hoping for a good meal.