Page 38 of Broken Trust

If something happened to Lucille, Kellen would never forgive him.

After getting in, Atlas adjusted the seat and mirrors and then started the car. It purred to life, a well-oiled machine under his fingertips.

No lie. Atlas was excited to drive her but also terrified he would put a scratch on the car.

“Don’t be nervous,” Kellen said with a grunt, slumped over in the passenger seat. “If you’re nervous, you’ll make a mistake.”

“I’m a cautious driver. I’m the one who constantly tells you to slow down.” Atlas put the car in reverse, and it shot backward. He slammed on the brakes, staring wide-eyed at the men watching him from a few feet away.

“Atlas,” Kellen growled.

“Sorry. I just have to get used to how powerful she is.”

“Maybe I should drive,” Mason called out.

Atlas rolled the window down. “I got this! You three staring at me isn’t helping. Go back inside so I don’t wreck before I even leave the parking lot.” He turned toward Kellen. “I was joking about the last part.”

He totally wasn’t.

“I’ll follow you.” Deputy Davis slid into his car, Zayde hopping into the passenger seat.

Blowing out a few breaths, Atlas eased his foot off the brake but not all the way. Lucille slowly rolled backward, and then Atlas put the car in Drive. His sedan’s brakes weren’t this good, even though they’d been replaced a few months back. Lucille’s brakes were on a whole other level.

Atlas gripped the steering wheel so tight the color fled his fingers as he pulled from the parking lot and turned into the main road.

“Headlights,” Kellen groaned as he sat forward, grimacing.

“Where is the lever to turn them on?” Atlas glanced around while trying to keep his eyes on the road.

Kellen reached over and hit a button. The headlights came to life, illuminating the street in front of them. “I trust you to get us home, Atlas.”

“Thanks.” Kellen’s confidence meant a lot to him, but it didn’t stop his nerves from bouncing everywhere. Atlas’s heart beat like crazy as he picked up speed, going from ten miles an hour to twenty.

“Atlas, you’re going to have to go faster. I feel my wolf trying to break free so I can heal, and I would be beyond grateful if I didn’t have to do it in the car. My claws would shred the leather, and my size would make you crash if it happened while you were driving.”

“Right.” Atlas nodded, pressing the gas pedal down farther. The car sped up, its motor throaty and powerful as Atlas turned toward the back road that led to Kellen’s house.

When the houses became father apart, Atlas went even faster, glancing down to see he was going forty. Kellen slumped forward and growled. His wolf was about to break free.

Atlas clenched his jaw and pressed the gas pedal harder, the engine sounding as if it was growling, too, as it shot down the road. Atlas’s fingers hurt from holding the steering wheel so hard while he navigated the twists and turns, his adrenaline spiking.

The speedometer needle was on eighty. Atlas glanced quickly into the rearview mirror and saw the deputy keeping up. Hopefully he didn’t give Atlas a ticket.

When familiar landmarks grew closer, Atlas slowed until the car was at a crawl before turning into Kellen’s driveway. This was so much worse because the driveway was not only narrow, but densely packed trees lined both sides, blocking out the light from the moon. Atlas didn’t dare look down to try and figure out how to turn on the high beams.

The house finally came into view, and Atlas felt as if he could breathe again. He eased the car around the side of the house and parked by the back door.

The deputy parked and jumped out, hurrying toward Kellen’s door. As soon as he pulled the guy out, a massive wolf hit the ground.

“What the fuck is going on?” Colt rushed out the back door and knelt next to the wolf but looked at Atlas when he joined them. “Why are you driving Lucille, and why is a cop behind you?”

“A vampire attacked him outside my job.” Atlas hurried back around the car and turned it off. He eased his door closed before going back to where Kellen lay. “The vampire pummeled Kellen’s kidneys right before your brother stabbed the guy with his claws. Deputy Davis was just making sure we made it home safely.”

“Thanks,” Colt said when he looked over his shoulder at the cop. “I appreciate you looking out for them, but I got it from here.”

“Tell Kellen I still want to talk to him after he heals.” The deputy got into his car and pulled away.

“How are we going to get him inside?” Atlas asked.

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