Page 26 of Caught in the Middle

She clumsily steered the car around the bend whilst Oliver kept turning around to glance out of the rear window. It was clear, but Lucy wasn't sure if that meant that nobody was following them.

Adrenaline spiked through her body as she clutched onto the steering wheel with shaking hands. Never had anything like this happened to her in her life. Not only did she just escape from who she can only assume were members of the mafia, but she saved Oliver's life. As her breathing returned to normal and the adreniline began to wear off, her right wrist began to throb. It had really taken a hit when she shot the gun.

'I can't believe that just happened!' she yelled, 'Can we just establish that I just shot a mafia dude?'

Oliver wasn't listening. He glanced back out the rear mirror again and leaned over to steady the steering wheel.

'So what happened?' she continued, 'were they about to kill you?'

'Will you just drive,' he snapped.

Lucy turned back to the road and followed the narrow bends around in silence. After a few moments, the feel of the car began to feel more natural, and the lessons she'd had so long ago came back to her. Sure, she was scraping the odd bush, but she was doing pretty well considering she hasn't got a license.

She wasn't sure why Oliver was being so moody, but the fact that these men turned up at the doorstep of their motel confirmed once and for all that Oliver was telling the truth about her being hunted by Joey Leonardo's gang. And even though she was certain they would have killed her and Oliver had she not fled out of the bathroom window, there was something in her that felt... excited.

She was on an adventure. For the first time in her life she was truly living, even if she was living dangerously. She pushed down harder on the gas pedal as the road straightened out. She was on the run with a beautiful man, speeding through the countryside away from the mafia. She felt like the heroine in an action movie.

She felt alive.

'My goodness, I can't stop shaking,' she laughed, 'that was crazy!'

'That son of a bitch motel owner sold us out,' Oliver growled, 'after five fucking years, he finally did it.'

Lucy was beginning to tire at his misery. 'Yeah, but we survived! I shot a mafia guy, how cool is that?'

Oliver stared at her blankly. Sweat beaded on his forehead, blood on his crisp white shirt.

'And you also shot me.'

Lucy startled. 'What?'

Oliver gripped his leg. Lucy noticed for the first time since he got into the car that he had a deep bloody gash on the top of his right thigh. The blood on his shirt was his.

'Oh my god -'

'Eyes on the road, Lucy -'

'Oh my god! Are you okay?!'

She scrambled for the brake pedal -

'Godammit Lucy, don't slow down and keep your fucking eyes on the road!' Oliver yelled.

She did as she was told, but frustration began to bubble inside of her.

'We're going to have to get you to a hospital-'

'Jesus Lucy, will you just shut up -'

'WILL YOU STOP TALKING TO ME LIKE THAT,' Lucy roared.

She'd had enough, her hands that shook with adrenaline now shook with anger.

How fucking dare he.

She had just saved his life, even though he had promised to save hers. You'd think, that given the fact he was probably moments from death - at least from the angle Lucy had witnessed it - he should be really bloody thankful to her right now. Sure, he had a little gash in his leg where she may have accidentally scraped him, but, surely that's better than being dead, or even kidnapped by the mafia?

Oliver sat in silence, clutching his leg whilst he glared at the road ahead of him. Even though he wasn't saying anything, she could feel the anger oozing out of every pore.

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