But I didn’t get to make that decision for myself.
The car suddenly accelerated. Accelerated so fast they erased the distance in a fraction of a moment. The roar of the engine filled the air with an omen of devastation.
“Hold on!” I shouted the second before the bastard slammed us from behind.
Metal tore and ground, and our SUV jolted forward.
Shocked, disoriented cries suddenly filled the cab. Those precious kids jarred awake by the impact and catapulted right into fear.
A swell of protectiveness rose up from the darkest depths of me. From the deepest place where I kept all my secrets shrouded. Where old hopes were sent to fester and the hatred toiled like venom before it was released to pump through my veins.
“Mommy!” Eva cried, hands outstretched for Daisy.
“What happened?” Addy rushed as she sat upright, a deep alarm taking her over.
Colin remained silent, though I could feel the absolute terror radiating from him.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay,” Daisy gushed through her own panic in an attempt to comfort them.
My teeth grated as I processed what to do.
My heart a battering ram at my ribs as I glanced behind us to see the motherfucker was coming at us again.
“Brace yourselves!” I shouted, accelerating so the impact wouldn’t be as great.
But it was still there.
A violent crash that slammed into our tail and nearly sent us into a spin. The SUV tipping right then swerving to the left.
I struggled with the steering wheel, jerking a fraction to try to correct it.
Praying the skidding tires would hold traction as we came up on a bend.
But the asshole didn’t slow. He took advantage of the instability of my SUV and clipped me on the left side.
There was nothing I could do to stop us from being tossed into a full spin. Our tires squealed as the SUV reeled, nearly toppling on the turn.
Thank fuck, it remained upright and didn’t roll. I didn’t have time to sit in the relief of it because we came to a standstill facing the opposite direction, and the other vehicle skidded to a stop facing us.
Its headlights were blinding, creating a bright haze that burned through the smoke and dust that billowed around the SUV.
Jagged breaths ripped out of Daisy and little cries echoed from the backseat.
Daisy looked over at me. Terror and belief ridged every angle of her gorgeous face.
“It’s going to be okay.” I was barely able to get the jagged words off my tongue with the hatred that clotted off my throat. The rage that blustered and blew. “Stay low.”
“Cash.”
“Do it,” I gritted, glancing at her once in a silent promise that I would make sure they were fine as I pulled my gun from the holster hidden at my back.
Surprise jutted from her, but she gave me an understanding nod as I unlatched the door and slowly slipped out.
I kept myself crouched and concealed behind the panels of the open door. Breaths raked from my lungs and blood thundered through my veins. So heavy I could feel every thudding, excruciating beat.
Both front doors of the truck opened, and my eyes jumped everywhere, calculating my best move. Knowing I couldn’t stand around waiting to find out what action they would take, since there was no question their aim was contemptible.
Vile monsters chasing me down when I had a family in the car. So fucked up I couldn’t process the cruelty.
