Page 555 of Reign

“He’s adjusting.”

“He offered to transport my body.”

“That was helpful of him.”

“Very.”

Her laugh fills the SUV, soft and warm.

Then headlights appear in my mirror.

Fast.

Too fast.

My attention shifts from Elena to the road behind us.

A dark vehicle comes around the curve, closing the distance between us with deliberate speed.

Not Rafael.

I release Elena’s hand and place mine fully on the wheel.

She notices immediately. “What is it?”

“Put your seat belt flat against you.”

Her gaze moves toward the mirror.

“Elena.”

She adjusts the belt without arguing and pulls her leg out from under her.

Good girl.

The vehicle behind us accelerates.

Ahead, another SUV pulls out from a narrow service road and turns across both lanes.

The trap becomes clear in a single second.

One vehicle in front.

One behind.

Trees on both sides.

An embankment dropping sharply beyond the shoulder.

“Elena, brace.”

The SUV behind us strikes the rear quarter panel as I turn toward the only opening left.

Metal screams.

The steering wheel jerks beneath my hands. Our back end swings toward the center of the road. I correct hard, fighting the rotation before it can turn us broadside.

The tires leave the pavement.