Page 138 of Filthy Liar

“We need our own cars so this wouldn’t happen,” I joked, knowing it definitely cost way more to all have our own cars.

“I think it’s time we let our sugar daddy buy us one. We’re all working now, and we can’t rely on sharing Reid and Logan’s cars anymore,” he said, reaching over to give my hand a gentle squeeze. “He’d really like to do it for you too. I know you like earning things yourself, but he’d love it if he could spoil you a little.”

“I don’t want a flashy car, Zav.”

“Then don’t ask for one. Buy a bucket of shit and let him help you fix it up a little. You could work on it together,” he offered, the idea not sounding bad.

“He’d be happy to buy a shitty car?”

“His Supra was a piece of shit when he bought it, I’ve seen photos. He takes a lot of pride in it, and he’d have no problem doing the same with a car for you. Talk to him, okay?”

“Fine, but if he goes overboard, I’m not driving it,” I grumbled, tightening my hold on his hand a little. “Do you think Stefano is trying to trap him today?”

“Probably, but the Thieves are highly trained, baby. They won’t let him get hurt,” he promised, releasing my hand to downshift as we got closer to the gas station.

It was pretty quiet when we pulled in, and Zavier climbed out and headed towards the building, leaving me in the car.

I kept my eyes on my surroundings, not wanting anyone to sneak up on me, and I relaxed again when Zavier returned and handed me a Red Bull through the window.

I kept a look out while he pumped gas, and he was just about to climb in the car when tires squealed and two cars sped into the gas station, slamming to a stop right by us.

Men piled out of both cars, and I scrambled to open the glovebox to grab a gun, my heart sinking when I realized there wasn’t one in there. I’d forgotten to check when we’d left.

Gunshots rang out, and terror gripped me as I climbed across the seat, desperately trying to get to Zavier, who was using the car as a shield while shooting at them.

My door opened and someone grabbed my ankle, a scream leaving me as I started kicking to dislodge their grip.

They released me with a shout as Zavier fired another shot, and I scrambled upright and grabbed my knife from my bra, just in case. It was better than nothing.

One of the windows shattered, making me flinch as some of my past tried to bite me in the ass, but I shook off the memories of Josh and tried to focus. Zavier needed me to have his back just as much as he had mine.

I turned to check on him, not seeing him there, and I flailed as someone grabbed me from the other side of the car again and yanked me out. I held on to the seat, not wanting them to take me anywhere to possibly never be seen again.

My teeth clacked together as I was slammed into the door frame, my ears ringing as they kept yanking on me until my fingers slipped and I was pulled from the car, panic surging through me as I was easily restrained and dragged towards one of their cars.

“Let me fucking go!” I shouted, trying to at least draw attention to the fact I was being taken against my will, frantically trying to get eyes on Zavier.

When I was shoved through the open car door, I grabbed hold of the outer frame to stop myself from being shut inside, kicking at my captor while screaming.

Why hadn’t the cops appeared yet? They were fast here, and surely Cruz would’ve seen this going down on his fancy computers.

Even if he was focused on helping Ander right now, someone would always be watching the rest of the world on other screens.

“Get the fuck in there!” the guy bellowed, and when he grabbed my throat and started squeezing, I knew I had seconds to save myself or I’d be locked inside this car completely vulnerable and unconscious.

I let out something similar to a battle cry before slashing my knife in their direction, trying to do it how Beckett had shown me, but I was just slashing in a panic mostly.

Blood was dripping down my hands and arms, but I couldn’t hear or see anything other than my tears, the crimson blood, and my heart beat thumping rapidly in my ears.

I stumbled from the car as the man went down, my chest heaving as I tripped and landed on my ass, relief filling me when the cars took off.

I was shaking, my eyes focusing on the guy a few meters from me. The one that definitely wasn’t moving that I’d just hacked to pieces.

My phone was ringing, but I barely noticed as I shuffled back until my head smacked against Logan’s car, wiping my tears with my arm and probably getting more blood all over me.

“Zav? You okay?” I called out, my voice breaking. I cleared my throat, saying it louder this time. “Zav?”

There was no reply, and I was beyond caring about getting blood on things as I grabbed the car to pull myself to my feet, starting to worry that Zavier had been shot and had been lying on the ground on the other side of the car this whole time.

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