Page 79 of Kiss Away Your Pain (Wounded Hearts 2)

His voice echoes in my head. My heart races in my chest as my breathing quickens and my stomach coils.

“He somehow pulls me out and away from my car. I’m lying in oily, chunked-up grass, covered in blood that I wasn’t sure was mine or his. In seconds my car catches fire. He shouts and asks if I’m okay. I didn’t know at that point, but I knew I was alive, so I said yeah. He tells me he has to get back to his mother-in-law and turns to leave. Out of nowhere, a car comes flying off the highway and hits him.”

In that second, the car smashes into me. The cool of my skin suddenly ablaze, pulse battering violently in my veins, stomach churning acid. I catch Destiny’s eye, barely able to breathe. Everything around me blackens to a tunnel as his voice morphs into a muffle.

“I found out later at the hospital that he didn’t make it and neither did his mother-in-law. I felt so bad. Guy saved my life. All I have is this scar. I’m very lucky and very grateful.”

I’m trembling, struggling for breaths as the air thickens on its way down to my vibrating lungs. My head shakes involuntarily in disbelief. My heart clamors wildly against my ribs. My mouth parched, I gasp for air. Enzo turns to me.

His eyes fly open as his skin pales. His voice, his movements, everything is in distorted slow motion. “Candi, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Rage fumes hot in my eyes. I crank my head toward Nicco and Destiny, my body a flaming inferno, my head dizzy. Destiny’s eyes wide, she pulls out her phone, furiously scrolling, then turns it to Enzo.

“Is this the guy?” she asks hurriedly.

Enzo looks at me, eyes narrowed and squinting, confusion glossing his face. He looks back at Destiny, to her phone she’s holding out.

“Yeah.” He shakes his head, puzzled. “Why do you have a picture of him in your phone?”

Short breaths rush in and out of me as my limbs shake and beads of sweat coat my skin. “I…I have to go.” I blurt, the words scraping my throat on their way out. Grabbing my purse, clutching it to my chest, I run. And run. And run. Hot tears burn down my cheeks. Breath sucks out from my lungs. Heavy and vacant, my body drags.

I’m numb.

Enzo

“Candi!” Adrenaline tears through me as my body responds, darting up to chase after her.What the fuck is happening?

“No,” Destiny says sharply, jumping up and holding her hand out to stop me. “I’ll go.”

Panic stains their expressions.

“Oh, fuck,” Nicco says, dropping his head.

Devastation swirls in the air.

Destiny leaves and I return my focus to Nicco.

“Dude, is she okay? What did I say? What the fuck is happening?” My heart jackhammers between my ears.

“That’s fucking Dom.”

His words crash into me like a freight train. Everything goes black.

I’m a tumultuous mix of confusion, nausea, heartache, and fear.

What the fuck?!

How is that even possible? How is this happening? Oh, my God, Candi.

Destiny returns. “She’s not in the bathroom. I don’t see her outside.” Her words rush out. “I’m going to take the car and go to her house. Nicco, you go back to our house in case she goes there. Enzo, you stay here in case she comes back. Group text withouther when she turns up.”

Nicco hands her a set of keys then grabs her hand. “She’ll be okay. Be careful. I love you.”

Destiny takes a deep breath and nods. Then the split-second of calm is gone in a flash.

I hand him my cars keys. “We came together. I’ll get an Uber. Go.”

He scurries to his feet and leaves.

Alone, my thoughts are frantic, trying to piece together what just happened. The reality stunning me nearly immobile.

The waiter comes by and I toss my credit card into the leather billfold, not even bothering to look at the check.

Then I sit…waiting.

My mind frenetic, my body rattling, my heart crumbling…

---