The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 427

Ned narrowed his eyes, gaze locked on the thick tree across from him. Franco and his woman were hiding just behind it, and he could almost feel their presence pressing through the rain. No one could outdraw Franco in a shootout, but having him cornered here was a stroke of luck Ned didn’t want to waste.

Abbot had originally planned something cruel. He intended to kidnap Petty, send Franco one of her body parts each day, drag the man through pain and madness. But now, Abbot was done playing games. He was tired of the endless chase. That bullet Franco sent flying on New Year's Day needed payback, and Abbot wanted it now.

Behind the cover of a tree, Franco whispered to Petty. “Stay low. Don’t move.” Then, without another word, he dashed to the next tree, moving with a speed and precision that came from years of experience. He raised his gun, aimed in a direction nobody expected, and fired.

The crack of the gunshot split the steady tap of rain and thunder of distant artillery. The bullet sliced through the wet air, lost in the chaos.

Ned clenched the fabric around his wounded arm with his teeth, jaw tight. Two of Abbot’s men caught up, weapons ready. One of them called out, “Jay.”

Ned nodded. “You take the left, you take the right. I’ll go through the middle. Let’s box Franco in.”

The second Franco’s shot echoed out, Ned and his men rushed toward where Franco was last seen. Rain poured harder, slicking their hair and faces. Ned signaled with his hand, and all three charged behind the tree, guns raised.

Three shots exploded, almost as one. The bark splintered, leaves shuddered, but behind the tree, there was nothing. Franco had vanished.

“He’s gone!” one of the men gasped.

Ned shook his head, voice tight with disbelief. “No way. Franco’s good, but he can’t just disappear. Not with me this close. Not this fast.”

Unless...

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