Page 113 of Burn (Crash & Burn Duet 2)

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“Did you drive?” I asked Lincoln.

“No. Are you okay?”

“Not really.”

“Pepper and Miss Adeline?” Beau’s voice cracked.

“I don’t know.” I frantically looked for the three dogs when I spotted them near Captain Koker’s car.

A familiar black sedan rolled up to the scene. Dread filled me, even though that was a change from the others. Usually it was driving away.

I sprinted to the dogs.

My father’s car stopped beside Captain Koker’s. I picked up Ash and banged on the door with my foot.

It opened.

My father sat in the back with a suit on as if he hadn’t suffered a heart attack days before.

“I need a ride.”

Carefully, I lay Ash, Muffy, and Sadie inside. I tossed my oxygen tank, jumped in the front seat, and barked out Dr. Lyons’s address.

“First day back and you’re almost killed.”

“Save it,” I snapped.

“I warned you this would happen.”Not now, you ass.

I unbuttoned my fire jacket and whipped around. “Because youknewit would?”

“Yes.”

My worst fears felt confirmed. Was my own father trying to kill me too?

“Drive faster.”

I didn’t know the man behind the wheel, but he did as I asked, weaving through traffic as if he were a professional.

“I need your phone.” I held out my hand to my father.

Slowly, my wits were coming back to me, though I was still a wreck.

He dropped it in my palm without hesitation. I scrolled through the contacts until I found my brother’s name.

“Yeah.”

I was surprised by Lincoln’s annoyed answer. He played the game, pretending to respect our father. At least, I thought he did.

“Lincoln.”

“Teague?”

“Can you take the dogs to Elliotts’ place? He has the others.” I sounded more in command and less uncertain than I actually felt.

“I’ll see to it.”

“Will you stay with them until I can get there?”

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