“I won’t let that happen.”
She returns her attention to the road, wincing against the blinding beam from an oncoming truck.
“You’ve trusted me far more than anyone should, Pyro. Don’t quit on me now.”
Her wince increases. “What’s your plan?”
“I’ll talk you through each step as it comes. But for the moment, you need to slow down and let them catch up.”
She blows out a shaky breath.
I fucking hate this for her. That I can’t pull her away from danger without dragging her through it first.
“Slow, Ollie.”
I’d always thought I wanted her to see the side of me that’s about to be exposed—the tyrant, the murderer. Her forgiveness of my sins is probably her only flaw. Yet now that I sit poised with a plan that will place her in close proximity to bloodshed, I can’t stand picturing how she’ll react.
If only she could remain ignorant.
“Ollie,” I warn.
She whimpers, her shoulders slumping as the car slows.
I turn to look out the back window, the headlights of the trailing vehicle approaching at speed.
I double-check the map on my phone. “Take the next left.”
“Off the main road?”
“Don’t think; just act.”
She sucks in a deep breath and activates her turn signal.
I fight a laugh. “We want them to follow, but indicating that we’re about to turn is making it a little too obvious.”
“Oh, God.” She flicks off the turn signal. “I did it out of habit. Have I ruined everything?”
“Not at all.” I keep watching our back as she nears the adjoining road. “You’re going to have to pump the brakes though. You can’t hit the corner at this speed.”
She doesn’t respond. She doesn’t slow either.
“Ollie?”
“I can’t do this,” she pleads. “It’s too much.”
“Yes, you can. Take the turn.”
She scrunches her face, tapping the brakes hard before steering sharply toward the side street.
It’s too fast.
The tires screech. The vehicle lurches sideways. We fishtail.
“Remy,” she cries.
“Don’t brake.” I lunge for the wheel, helping correct the skid. “Ease off the accelerator.”
She complies, the car wobbling before regaining its tread.