The wheels screamed against gravel and wet pavement as Nico pressed his foot to the floor, sending the matte-black vehicle surging forward into the thunderous night.
Behind them, a rich chorus of revving engines rose — Marco's soldiers were in pursuit, unwilling to let Theo and Ava disappear into the storm.
Nico glanced in the rearview mirror. "They're closing in."
"Theo?" Ava whispered weakly from the back seat, her pulse faltering, her face draining of color.
The rich rage within Theo cooled into something more dangerous — a piercing resolve. "Not now… not when we're this close."
He pressed a small button under the center console. The rear bumper opened, dropping a rich cascade of caltrops — piercing metal nails designed to destroy the wheels of their pursuers.
Behind them, a dramatic chorus of explosions and skidding followed — two, then three vehicles careening off the road and into ditches — clearing their path forward.
Nico pressed on, weaving through abandoned city backroads — rich, dimly lit alleys and underpasses — until the thunder seemed to diminish and the soldiers fell away.
"Theo… we're clear… for now."
Theo turned back toward Ava — her weak pulse barely holding — and pressed her hand against his. "Hang in there, love… just a little longer. I'm not losing you."