Royal Rescue

Ronin drove for several hours, running different scenarios through his mind as they moved out of Missouri and into Kansas. It all passed by in a blur of white. None of the ways Thea’s homecoming might play out were within acceptable limits. Until their country actually saw them and accepted them, she and Leo were still as good as dead. He had no doubt attempts could be made on their lives even once they’d reached the estate where they were to meet. Until the real killer was found and imprisoned, they would never be safe.

He’d just made the decision to switch to a different county road that would be less traveled when he noticed the headlights coming up behind him. The only vehicles he’d seen in the past few hours were two truckers moving even slower than himself and a car that was being pulled out of a ditch by a tow truck.

The headlights came up fast behind him. Too fast.

Within moments the interior of the car was flooded with bright light.

Ronin watched in disbelief as the car grew closer. Only a desperate fool would try what he knew was about to happen.

“Thea.” He spoke calmly but loudly. He didn’t dare take his hands off the steering wheel to nudge her. “Thea, wake up.”

Thea awoke with a start at the first lurch of the car when bumper tapped against bumper.

“What’s happened?” she questioned, bolting upright in her seat and glancing quickly behind them.

“Hold on tight.” Ronin gripped the steering wheel, preparing for the worst that was sure to come. “They’ve found us.”