Page 68 of Dirty Politics

Liv tried to take control, but there was no traction. The car continued to slide right into a ditch and stopped when it hit a tree.

She sat for a moment too stunned to move; the airbag pressed against her face.

“Are you alright?” She heard voices outside the car.

The car door opened.

“Are you hurt?” a man said. “We were just snowshoeing, and we saw your car go over the ditch. Here, let us help you out.”

Three men practically dragged her from the car. She recognized them immediately as Will’s younger brothers - Eli, Declan, and Keene.

You’ve got to be kidding me...his brothers.Liv thought as she wiggled her way out of the car.

You’re bleeding,” Keene said.

She reached up and touched her forehead; blood was trickling down her face.

“Oh...I..I didn’t realize,” she said, looking at her bloody fingers. She began to sway on her feet at the sight of blood.

Declan grabbed her elbow to steady her.

“Let’s get you to the cabin,” Eli said, waving down a passing snowmobile. The snowmobile driver stopped and took off his helmet.

“What’s going...Liv?” Will said, the blood draining from his face.

“Liv?” Declan said, looking from Will to Liv. “You know her?”

Will didn’t answer the question.

“You’re hurt,” Will said, jumping off the snowmobile and rushing over. “This cut doesn’t look good”

“I...”

“Are you hurt anywhere else?” he asked, the snow falling harder.

“I don’t know. I’m not...”

“We need to get you inside,” he said, taking her hand.

“My things.”

“The guys will get it. Come on.”

Will got on the snowmobile first; Liv sat behind him. Her legs straddled him; her chest pressed against his back; her arms wrapped around his waist - squeezing him tight as they rode up the driveway. She could feel him breathing heavily.

She shivered. She wasn’t dressed for snowmobiling.

“You’re cold?” he said.

“I’m okay,” she said, her teeth practically chattering.

“We’re almost there,” he said. “We’ll get you warmed up.”

When they arrived in front of the enormous cabin, Will jumped off.

“Do you need me to carry you?”

“No!” she said, getting off the snowmobile. “No, I can walk.”

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