My door was suddenly snatched open before I could form a plan, and a man I didn’t recognize in a simple black suit and chauffeur’s cap crouched next to me. My eyes met his apologetic ones briefly before widening at the sight of the long needle the older man used his teeth to uncap.
Kellan’s arms loosened only enough to keep me conscious while ensuring my flailing body remained secured. “Do it,” he snapped at the older man.
It didn’t matter how sorry he was. The driver made a decision and leaned forward to follow orders, so I hawked and spit in his face before he could stick me in the arm.
Using their mutual horror to my advantage, I surged forward before Kellan had a chance to tighten his hold again, and then, shifting the gear into reverse, I slammed my foot on the gas.
The chauffeur’s shout of surprise was cut short when he was knocked over, Deborah’s front left tire narrowly missing his head.
Pity.
I kept my foot on the pedal as the car shot across the small parking lot, and then I felt Kellan shift as he turned to peer over his shoulder.
“Oh, fuck,” he whispered. Fright had his arms slackening a little more when he saw where we were headed. A large and seemingly bottomless pond was nestled between the parking lot and the small grouping of trees. “Stop the car!” he screamed. I kept going. “Hunter, for fuck’s sake, stop!”
Ignoring him, I turned my head and sank my teeth into his bicep, digging into the skin until I tasted blood.
Cursing, Kellan was forced to let me go, and I risked precious seconds waiting for the right moment. I’m sure Kellan had the same idea, but he’d made one mistake.
Deborah was a two-door.
Kellan had allowed himself to be trapped in the backseat with nowhere to go.
Finally, concrete gave way to grass and dirt as I twisted in my seat. With the only second that I had to spare, my determined gaze collided with Kellan’s shocked one, and I smiled.
Adios, asshole.
I threw myself from the car just as Deborah sped over the grassy knoll.
My back, thankfully, absorbed most of the impact with the ground as I allowed my body to roll across the grass. When I finally lost momentum enough to stop, I looked up just as Deborah cleared the small hill and plunged into the pond.
I was frozen momentarily as I watched thousands of pounds of water rush inside the open door and Deborah quickly sink beneath the surface. My mouth parted in a silent scream, and tears I hadn’t shed in a long time spilled from my eyes when I realized what I’d done.
After I was released from juvie for putting my father in the hospital, I’d found Deborah all alone with a sign stuck in her window that said one word…
Worthless.
Someone too stupid to see her value had abandoned her—just as I’d been.
Homeless and penniless, I tracked down the shady owner and bartered my body and a small piece of my soul in exchange for her.
Why?
Because like recognizes like. Deborah had called to me.
I couldn’t explain why or how, but if I believed in fate, I might think it had been for this moment.
Saving my life.
SavingCoby’slife.
Thunderbirds represented protection, and she had been exactly that for me. My home, my shelter, and salvation.
That car was all I’d had before Coby came along, and in one desperate move, I’d sacrificed her without a thought.
Deb…I’m so sorry.
Gritting my teeth at the pain in my leg, I forced myself to my feet. Instinct told me that Kellan was just the first of the onslaught headed my way, and once again, I had nothing but a single bullet I’d carve Ocean’s name into.
