Page 116 of Love Me Dangerous

Can I scoot to the back and jump out? Would Dustin come after me? How far would I get in this storm?

I’m shivering uncontrollably. Every part of me is cold. My clothes aren’t enough to keep me warm back here. I rack my brain for answers.

We hit another bump, and I land hard on my hip. I whimper in pain.What the hell is going on?One minute, I was trying to radio the base, so relieved Linnie was safe that I was fighting tears.

That gust hit, and everything went wrong.

None of this makes any sense. What does Dustin want with me?

Who did he call?

If I don’t get what I want, you won’t either.

“Dustin!” I cry out. “Please!”

I replay the look Zach and Dustin exchanged just before the news about Linnie.

What am I missing?

I try to sit up, but my head swims. I gulp deep breaths, but the exhaust doesn’t quell my nausea.Please don’t let me barf in here.

I manage to roll to a sitting position. I turn and pound on the metal shell. “Dustin!”

He accelerates, rocking over a series of ruts that throw me off balance. I land on my cheekbone with a thud. We bump one more time, but I get my hands down before my face, and then the road smooths. Dustin drives faster. Through the truck shell’s side windows, all I see is white—snow and snow-covered landscape flying by in the muted half-light of the storm.

Where is Zach?

Did Dustin hurt him?

I should have tried to jump out when we were still on the access road and Dustin wasn’t driving so fast. If I tried now, I’d break my neck.

The truck slips sideways, then veers back. Memories of Jesse flying past that horse trailer with the lake glistening below us fill my mind. Those moments we went off the edge and tilted toward the lake become crystal clear.

I squeeze my eyes shut.Please no. Don’t let us crash.

“Dustin!” I cry out again, rolling to my knees so I can pound on the back of the shell with both fists. I start to cry.

This is all wrong.

Dustin takes a sudden turn, sending me slamming against the side of the truck shell again.

Hot pain sears up my arm. I start sobbing in great, heaving gulps because this is my nightmare. I’m alone with no control over what happens to me.

I curl into a ball in the corner of the truck bed, wedging myself tight, and close my eyes. It’s the only way to protect myself right now.

We drive on another dirt road, the truck bouncing over ruts that make my molars chatter. The hard metal ridges of the truck’s bed dig into my body.

Dustin stops the truck. It’s so abrupt that I crash into the back wall. Vomit lurches up my throat, but I roll to my knees and force in deep, slow breaths. In for two, out for two.

The back window of the shell opens, followed by the tailgate dropping.

“Dustin, what?—”

He grabs me by my ankle and drags me out. My body spins, making the sides of the truck go helter-skelter in my vision while the sudden cold assaults me. I flail and kick, trying to fight back. Fight my way free.

When the Jeep went underwater and Zach reached in to yank me out, I fought him hard because I didn’t understand. I was so focused on Jesse and not leaving him behind.

But Zach risked everything to save me and Jesse—his freedom, the safety of his little brother, his secrets.

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