“Don’t let me down,” I say out loud. I’m not sure if I’m telling the car or myself.
But I find my way to the track and it’s clear of anyone or anything else. I drive to the entrance of the track, shifting into a lower gear to slow down and study it for a moment before saying to hell with it. Let’s see what I can do. If I were Lennon, I should be able to do this—sort of like muscle memory or riding a bike. Right?
I rev the engine and press down the clutch before shifting gears again. I see smoke in my wake where I burned rubber and I’m unsure of myself. But the faster my speed climbs, the more it feels right.
I round the first turn and notice people from the garage have spotted me and come out to see what’s happening. I feel the adrenaline surge again as I maneuver around this track. Sweat beads on my brow and my upper lip as pain explodes through my left shoulder and hip.
My head starts to throb above my left eye on the third lap, and it starts to affect my vision, so I’m forced to slow down and exit the track.
When I do, I see several people gathered to watch as I spot my dad front and center looking ashen as if he’s watching a ghost. Then, I see Dash not far behind him holding something that looks like a phone.
I get out of the car and leave the cane inside. Dad seems surprised to see me walking without help, but not any less upset.
“What the hell are you doing, London?” Dad asks as everyone else besides Dash disappears to give us privacy.
I glance at Dash, and he looks almost as angry as Dad. Almost.
“I remembered the GTO,” is all I can manage to say.
Dash doesn’t give much away but I see his eyes widen the slightest bit in surprise. He’s staring at me like he wants to yell at me and hug me all at once.
“How did you get the keys?” Dad prods.
I glance back to Dash which has Dad spinning around to face him.
“You took London to Lennon’s house? And then what? You just let her drive away? She shouldn’t be driving at all right now! She’s still healing! She’s in physical therapy for crying out loud! Are you trying to get my other daughter killed too?” he shouts.
Dash has had enough, and he steps into my dad’s space and shoves him. Dad stumbles back a bit but not much.
“I love Lennon! I’ve loved her for years! I’d never do anything to hurt her or get her killed, not that you’d notice! How dare you accuse me of that!” Dash shouts back.
Dad shoves him this time. “You’re the reason she crashed in the illegal race that nearly ruined her racing career! She always did what you dared her to! I know she was sneaking around behind my back to see you! Some of the guys from our teams sawyou at the bowling alley the night she was killed! So, yes, you’re the reason we buried my little girl three days ago!”
I crash into my dad and hug him. He has tears streaming down his face. I cling to him as his whole body shakes with barely contained sobs. He holds me close and says in my ear, “I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you both.”
“It’s not your fault,” I say as I pull back.
He wipes his eyes but doesn’t say anything else.
“It’s not Dash’s fault either. I saw the video of the wreck, Dad. Why didn’t you tell me it was intentional, and they never caught the guy? I’ve been in danger for almost a month now. I can’t defend myself if I don’t know to be watching my back.”
Dad’s brows furrow. “We thought the driver was after Lennon. We never thought you were in danger, London. Trust me, we would’ve told you if we thought you were. And I’d never have let you go back to your apartment either. Why do you think you could be?”
I glance back at Dash. “I need to know something, Dad.”
“Okay,” he says.
“Where are our effects from the accident?”
“At our house. Why?”
“Was either of our necklaces with our stuff? Or our phones?” I ask.
Dad looks like he’s in deep thought. “I know neither phone was, but we assumed they were with the car at the police garage or even ejected and lost at the crash site. But now that you mention it, neither of your necklaces were returned to us.”
I swallow hard because I know why they aren’t with our effects. Lennon’s stalker has them. The text said he knows who I really am, meaning after the accident he caused, he had to have gotten into the car with us long enough to take them off our bodies to hide our identities. I feel violated in a different way,and I start to sway as my head pounds worse. Dad pulls me up against him.
Dash moves back into my line of vision. “What is it, Valkyrie?”
