Silence settled over the clearing. Engines clicked as they cooled, smoke drifted from Ace's cigarette, and no one spoke after Nolan's promise. Ashley kept close, unsure if she was safer by the trees or next to Nolan.
The Vipers weren't good at silence. Normally there was laughter, curses, some sarcastic jab tossed between brothers. But tonight, the silence felt strained, ready to snap at the smallest sound.
Jax finally broke it. "We need eyes back on the highway." His voice was low and serious. "If they were willing to chase us down, they're setting up more than a drive-by."
Ace flicked his smoke away, grinding it into the dirt with his boot. "He is right. Fangs aren't dumb enough to waste bullets unless they're sending a message."
Nolan's hand gave a quick squeeze at her wai
