RIDE OR DIE
763 Words
The first gunshot cracked through the storm.
The bullet struck the wet pavement just inches from Ava's feet, sending shards of gravel flying.
"Move!" Ryder barked.
Without another thought, Ava grabbed his outstretched hand. He pulled her onto the back of his motorcycle with surprising ease.
"Hold on," he ordered.
"I've never—"
"Hold on!"
The engine roared like a wild beast. Ryder twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle shot forward just as two black SUVs skidded onto the road behind them.
"Don't let them escape!" someone shouted.
More gunshots echoed through the rain.
Ava gasped and instinctively wrapped both arms around Ryder's waist. She could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing beneath his soaked leather jacket. Unlike her, he didn't seem frightened.
He was focused.
The narrow mountain road twisted ahead, lined with towering pine trees and sharp cliffs. Ryder leaned into every turn with practiced precision, weaving through the darkness as if he knew every inch of the road.
The headlights behind them refused to disappear.
"They're gaining on us!" Ava cried.
"I know."
A black SUV suddenly swerved alongside them. The passenger window rolled down, and a masked man pointed a handgun directly at Ryder.
"Get down!" Ryder shouted.
Ava ducked just as another shot rang out. The bullet shattered the motorcycle's side mirror.
Ryder accelerated. The motorcycle surged ahead, splashing through puddles and leaving a trail of water behind.
The SUV rammed toward them.
Ava screamed.
At the last second, Ryder veered onto a narrow dirt trail that disappeared into the forest.
The SUV couldn't make the turn. It skidded past the entrance and slammed into a large boulder with a deafening crash.
One down.
Two more remained.
Ryder didn't celebrate. He kept riding deeper into the woods.
After several minutes, the sounds of the engines faded.
Only the rain remained.
Finally, Ryder slowed the motorcycle and stopped beneath an abandoned wooden bridge hidden by thick trees.
He switched off the engine.
Silence settled around them.
Ava climbed off the bike, her legs shaking so badly she nearly collapsed.
Ryder caught her before she hit the ground.
"Easy."
"I'm... I'm fine," she whispered, though her voice betrayed her.
He looked at the cut on her forehead.
"You're bleeding."
"It's nothing."
"It isn't."
From one of the motorcycle's saddlebags, Ryder pulled out a small first-aid kit. He cleaned the wound carefully.
Ava winced.
"Sorry."
"You don't sound sorry."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"You're right. I'm not."
For the first time since this nightmare began, Ava almost smiled too.
Almost.
Then Ryder's expression turned serious.
"Who are those men?"
Ava looked away.
"If I tell you... you'll be in danger."
"I'm already in danger."
She couldn't argue with that.
Taking a deep breath, she reached into her jacket and removed the silver flash drive.
"This is why they're hunting me."
Ryder frowned.
"What's on it?"
"I don't know."
"You stole something without knowing what it contains?"
"I didn't steal it," Ava replied, her voice trembling. "I watched my stepfather murder a man. They were looking for this. It was the only proof I could find before I escaped."
Ryder stared at her.
"Murder?"
She nodded.
"My stepfather is Victor Bennett."
The moment the name left her lips, Ryder froze.
His jaw tightened.
His gray eyes darkened.
"You know him?"
Before Ryder could answer, the sound of another motorcycle echoed through the forest.
He immediately stood, placing himself between Ava and the approaching rider.
A black motorcycle emerged from the trees and stopped a few feet away.
The rider removed his helmet.
He was in his early thirties, with sandy-brown hair and an easy grin that disappeared the moment he saw Ava.
"Boss," he said to Ryder. "We've got trouble."
Ryder didn't take his eyes off the newcomer.
"What happened, Mason?"
"They tracked your bike."
Ava's heart sank.
Mason looked over his shoulder toward the forest road.
"They'll be here in less than five minutes."
Ryder glanced at Ava, then at the flash drive in her hand.
His decision came instantly.
"We're taking her to Iron Haven."
Mason blinked.
"The club? You're serious?"
"I said we're taking her."
Mason studied Ava for a moment before nodding.
"Then we'd better ride."
Ava had no idea what Iron Haven was.
But judging by the look on Ryder's face...
Whatever waited there would change her life forever.
---
As they race toward Iron Haven, Victor Bennett receives a phone call. After a long silence, he smiles and says, "So... Ryder Kane has chosen a side."
- Writer
