"You're speeding! You're weaving! You're—"
He cuts off another car to change lanes. The driver honks. Long and loud.
"See? Even they think you're driving crazy!" I point behind us.
"They're just slow." He dismisses it entirely.
"Everyone is slow to you!"
"Because everyone drives like they're scared." He takes another turn fast.
"Maybe they're smart!"
We're in a part of town I don't recognize now. Darker. Fewer streetlights. The buildings look run-down. And he's still going too fast.
"Where are we?" I ask, looking around nervously.
"Shortcut."
"Through this neighborhood?"
"Santino, please. Please slow down." I'm begging now.
"Liana, you need to relax. I drive like this all the time." He finally glances at me.
"That doesn't make it better!"
He takes another turn fast. The tires squeal again. I know he’s doing it to scare me and something in me snaps.
"Stop the damn car!" I shout.
"What?" He looks at me like I'm crazy.
"Stop this car! Right now!"
"Liana—" He starts to argue.
"I said stop! Goddammit!"
He doesn't stop. Just glances at me like he’s surprised I’m cursing.
I do the only thing that makes sense in this moment. I grab the door handle to get out of his damn car. I’m not staying in this car with him another second.
"Liana, what are you—" His eyes go wide.
I pull the handle. The door opens and wind rushes in.
"Liana! For fuck’s sake!" He slams on the brakes.
The car is still moving, but I don't care.
I jump.
I hit the pavement hard, get up and start moving, stumbling in my heels but staying upright. Behind me, I hear the screech of tires as he stops completely.
"What the fuck are you doing!" His voice is furious and panicked.
I don't look back. Just start walking fast down this street I don't know, in this neighborhood that looks increasingly sketchy, in a dress and heels.
