“Is there a nickname for Hayden?” I ask Jessie curiously. If there was one, I hadn’t heard it yet. I only knew of Ryder’s because, well, it’s used pretty often.
“Havoc,” She answers absentmindedly, her entire focus on the race. Specifically, the same two cars I’ve been eyeing.
“Why Havoc?”
She glances at me, smiling fully, “Because he wreaks Havoc.” The cars buzz around the track, any faster and they would be airborne. Jessie cheers them on as they pass,cupping her hands around her mouth to amplify her wooing. “Kick ass, boys!!”
“How many laps will they go?”
“Sometimes a hundred, but tonight only fifty.”
“Why only fifty tonight?”
“Vipers aren’t here, and they’re the only ones who root for a hundred laps. They think that would give them a chance at winning.” Now it’s her rolling her eyes.
Tires squeal and metal crunches as debris flies with a plume of smoke.
“Holy fuck!” My eyes fly wide as saucers. “Who was that?” I ask, but my heart is beating in my throat. I search for my boys. Wait,myboys?
The Starter speaks, panicked, to the crowd. “Fellow racers, proceed slowly behind the safety car to your designated pit stalls.”
“Fucking Hell, that wasJapan.”When she sees my face of confusion, she explains. “That’s Japan’s squad, and that car was their leader.” She points to what remains of the car, now engulfed in flames.
Ryder had told me there were four other competitors, but he never elaborated on who, so that’s something I will need to take the time to learn.
Lights and sirens blared around us. People swarmed around the car with extinguishers, doing their best to tame the flames. The stadium was in complete turmoil as the events unfolded before us. All I can think is if Ryder and Hayden are okay, which is utterly selfish of me, whileanother man just burned to death. The most torturous way to die.
After the debris was swept away, the Starter declared the race was to resume. After that atrocious accident, my heart beats out of rhythm as I watch Ryder and Hayden like a terrified mom. Something hits my thoughts like a train—is this what love feels like? As if a piece of me is risking its life on those tracks. I say a silent prayer for their safety. Ryder continues in the lead, while Hayden trails behind, forcing the other racers to stay behind. It’s a genius tactic, and I imagine they have done this every race, hence why they’ve won every single time.
A waft of something delicious breezes by me, making my mouth water. All this time, I hadn’t been hungry, but that smell could make anyone feel starved. I look around for the source of the smoky goodness and find a flow of smoke that dissipates the closer it gets to us, coming from beyond the stands.
“You hungry?” A male voice asks behind me, jolting me from my food dream.
“Shit, you scared me!” Hand over my heart, “Where did you come from?”
“The race ended a few minutes ago.” Ryder’s hand wraps around my waist, pulling my back to his front. He’s warm, and I break out in goosebumps.
“Where’s Hayden?” I look up at his green eyes over my shoulder, finding a mischievous twinkle in them that makes my belly tingle.
“Handling the fans. I wanted to get back to you,” Hisfingers gently brush my brunette locks over my shoulders to cascade down my back.
Ryder’s been extra handsy and possessive the past week. I think he was more scared than I was in that place. I don’t even know what to call it. Slaughterhouse? It felt pretty final, as if once you’re there, you’ll never leave, and I believe that to be true after seeing the condition of so many other women—the desperation in the newer captives, but the hopelessness and lifelessness of the older.
“What happened to all those women in that place?” I whisper, not even sure he heard me.
He clears his throat, “The ones who wanted to leave were rescued.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. The ones who wanted to leave?
“What happened to the ones who didn’t?”
He was silent for a moment. I didn’t think he was going to answer. “They were given a peaceful and respectful death.”
My heart stutters in my chest. All-consuming emotions flood my senses as I try to process his words. Those women who chose to die. That hopelessness and lifelessness I sensed in their eyes… They truly believed there was nothing left for them in this life, and that is heartbreaking. More than anything, I wish I could go back and tell them how much they’re worth and at least try to help them. Then again, I have no idea the extent of depravity they experienced and how hard it would have been to relearn how to live.
Ryder kisses my temple. We’ve yet to actually kiss. I’m not entirely sure why, other than both of us being too afraid of that kind of affection. The last time I formally kissed a man, my heart was shattered two weeks later. Why is it easier to fuck without attachment than it is to kiss?
“Let’s grab a bite to eat.” He laces his fingers between mine and leads us through the crowd that is now partying over RAGE’s win tonight. Jessie separated from me sometime after Ryder found me. I have no doubt she’s searching for her one-night stand for the night. After hearing how Ryder reacted to Tucker being at the house without his knowledge, I can’t say her bringing home a random guy will bode well. I internally cringe, premeditating how this will play out.
