Thug Love

17 - The Chase

The highway stretched out like an endless ribbon, the hum of the engine the only sound between them. Ayanna sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on the rearview mirror. Every car that appeared behind them sent her heart into overdrive, her mind imagining Damon's cruel smile behind the wheel of a following vehicle.

Troy reached over, his hand finding hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "He won't catch us," he said firmly, though his knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel with his other hand.

"I don't know how he found us," Ayanna whispered, her voice trembling. "I thought we were careful."

Troy frowned, his jaw tightening. "He's desperate. And desperate people find ways. But we'll stay ahead of him. I promise you that."

The miles passed in tense silence, the sun climbing higher into the sky as they headed west toward an unfamiliar horizon. Troy had chosen the route deliberately—back roads and small towns, avoiding major highways and cities. It was the kind of route that left little trace, but it also meant hours without stopping.

Eventually, Ayanna's nerves couldn't take it anymore. "Troy, can we pull over for a minute?"

He glanced at her, concern etched into his face, but he nodded. "There's a rest stop up ahead. We'll stop there."

When they reached the small, quiet rest area, Troy parked the car at the far end of the lot. Ayanna stepped out, the crisp air a welcome change from the suffocating tension inside the car. She stretched, her muscles aching from sitting so long, but her mind remained on high alert.

Troy stood near her, his eyes scanning the area like a hawk. "I'll grab us some water," he said, nodding toward a vending machine near the restroom building.

As he walked away, Ayanna leaned against the car, letting her thoughts wander. The fear of Damon's presence was an ever-present shadow, but so was the guilt. How had her life spiraled into this? She had gone from surviving Damon's abuse to running for her life with Troy, a man who had risked everything for her.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car engine. She tensed, her eyes darting toward the entrance of the rest stop. A black sedan pulled in, its windows tinted, and her stomach dropped.

It wasn't Damon's car, but the unease was undeniable. Her pulse quickened as the car slowly cruised past her, the driver's face obscured by the dark glass. She held her breath, watching as it parked a few spaces away.

Troy returned, handing her a bottle of water. "Drink," he said, his tone firm but gentle. Then he followed her gaze, his expression hardening when he saw the black sedan.

"Get in the car," he said quietly, his voice low and commanding.

"But—"

"Now, Ayanna."

The urgency in his tone left no room for argument. She climbed back into the passenger seat, her heart pounding as Troy started the engine. The black sedan's engine roared to life a moment later.

"They're following us," Ayanna whispered, gripping the edge of her seat.

Troy didn't respond, his focus locked on the road as he pulled out of the lot. The sedan stayed behind them, keeping a steady distance but never letting them out of sight.

"They're toying with us," Troy muttered, his frustration evident. "Trying to make us nervous."

"It's working," Ayanna admitted, her voice shaking.

Troy's jaw clenched, and his knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. "Not for long."

He made a sudden turn onto a dirt road, the tires kicking up a cloud of dust behind them. The sedan followed, its sleek exterior contrasting sharply with the rugged terrain.

Ayanna's heart raced as the car jostled over the uneven ground. "Troy, what are you doing?"

"Losing them," he replied, his voice steady.

The road twisted and turned, the dense forest closing in around them. Troy navigated the terrain like a seasoned driver, taking sharp corners and narrow paths that seemed almost impassable. The sedan struggled to keep up, its tires slipping in the dirt.

Finally, they reached a fork in the road. Without hesitation, Troy veered left, then cut the headlights, plunging them into darkness. He pulled off the road, hiding the car behind a thick grove of trees.

"Stay quiet," he whispered, his hand gripping Ayanna's arm as she started to speak.

They sat in silence, the only sound the faint chirping of crickets and the distant rumble of the sedan's engine. Ayanna held her breath, her heart pounding as the car sped past their hiding spot, its headlights cutting through the night like searchlights.

Troy didn't move until the sound of the engine faded into the distance. Only then did he let out a breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

"We're clear," he said, though his voice carried a note of caution.

Ayanna sagged against the seat, relief washing over her like a wave.

Later that night, they found a small motel in another tiny town. It was the kind of place where no one asked questions, and that was exactly what they needed.

Ayanna sat on the edge of the bed, her head in her hands. "This can't keep happening," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Troy crouched in front of her, his hands resting on her knees. "It won't. I'll make sure of it."

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with doubt. "How? Damon's not just going to stop. He's obsessed. He'll hunt me down until—"

"He won't," Troy interrupted, his tone firm. "I'll end this. One way or another."

The conviction in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. She knew Troy meant every word, but the thought of him confronting Damon again terrified her.

"Troy, promise me you won't do anything reckless," she said, her voice trembling.

"I promise I'll protect you," he replied, dodging the heart of her plea.

That night, Ayanna couldn't sleep. The motel room felt stifling, the walls closing in as the weight of their situation pressed down on her. She lay beside Troy, listening to his steady breathing and trying to draw strength from his presence.

But as the hours ticked by, one thought kept creeping into her mind: Damon wasn't finished with her yet.