“Okay, okay. Hang on, and we’ll figure it out.” I say, but I don’t even sound convincing to myself. We must be going 100 miles an hour, and we’ll have to get both of them out of the car before it crashes.
“I can’t control this thing much longer, brother!” Kai yells and Killian maneuvers the car closer to Kai’s.
“I’ve got it, just hold on!” Killian snaps, and then punches the buttons to wind down both of our windows.
“What’s the plan?” I ask, unsure how there can even be a plan.
“I need you to drive, I’m going to get out on the roof and help them into our car.” I feel my chest tighten. I’ve driven for the boys before, but that feels like a lifetime ago.
“What if I …”
“You won’t. Just do it. You can do it,” he says, already reaching his arm out the window to pull himself out. “Take the wheel, Ava. I need you to do this! When I hit the roof, get as close to Kai’s car as you can.” His eyes stare into mine
I do as he asks, blocking everything out except the task in front of me. I’ve got all of our lives in my hands right now, and the weight of that responsibility feels like it might break my spine.
“Don’t slow down and don’t….” he’s muffled, but I finish the sentence.
And don’t hit the brakes.
“I’m not an idiot! Just get them!” I yell because he knows better. And even though he thinks I’m a giant liar and the worst thing that’s ever happened to him, he must trust me in some way. He wouldn’t put his life, and especially his brother’s, in my hands if he didn’t. I hear him tap his hand on the roof, and I’m on autopilot. I keep my foot on the gas and ease over toward Kai’s car as gently as I can at the speed we’re reaching and say a silent prayer to whoever might be listening. I keep my eyes straight ahead and I tell myself that it’s because I’m calm and in control, but really I’m afraid Desiree isn’t going to make it into the car. One wrong move and she could be dragged under the car and Kai could crash.
I breathe in through my nose and try to keep the car as steady as possible when I hear Desiree scream. I hear Kai yelling at her, but I can’t lose focus. The car jerks when Killian pulls her out of Kai’s window.
“You’ve got it, babygirl. Keep going!” Killian yells to me and it feels like we’ve never been apart. We work together seamlessly. This is how it used to be when he didn’t hate me and he depended on me for things he would never trust anyone else with. Not that he has many other options right now. When I see Desiree’s legs swing through the window, I use one hand to reach out and steady her, letting her flop in the seat.
“I’m okay, I’m okay!” her voice is loud and trembling. “Keep it steady,” she tells me, like that isn’t what every cell of my body is focused on right now.
“Jump, you asshole!” I hear Killian yell to Kai, and dread fills my chest. If he doesn’t get out of the car, he’s going to lose control. Even the Pierce brothers are human, and I don’t want to be around to see their reign of Blackcrown Falls end like this.
“I’m not going to make it out. If I let go of the wheel…” Kai’s voice trails off and is muffled. I don’t dare look over to see if he’s partially out of his window. Even if Killian can grab him, he’s going to get hurt. Both of them could.
My heart sinks in my chest at the thought of losing Killian a second time. Not that I have him back, or that things will ever be good between us again. But I just can’t lose him again.
“Kai, you can do it. I know you can. Look at me!” Desiree yells out the passenger window and it makes me wonder if he’s as brutal with her as I’ve suspected.
Our car jerks to the left with what I can only assume is the weight of Kai’s body pushing off of his car and landing on the roof with Killian. I know he made it because there’s a loud thud and what sounds like a scuffle on the roof. I can breathe again, but just as I let off the gas to begin slowing us down to a safer speed I hear the loud crash and explosion of Kai’s car.
There’s a loud bang on the roof followed by Kai’s booming voice, “Ava slow the fuck down, we’re struggling up here.” I hear Desiree’s gasp of surprise and it’s clear she’s relieved that he’s not laying on the pavement miles back.
My instincts kick in, the ones I’ve developed over the last few years of fending for myself. I block everything out and watch the speedometer, waiting for the gauge to lower enough that I can drift over on the side of the road long enough to get the boys off the roof and make sure they’re okay.
We’re not even fully stopped and Killian and Kai are hopping off the roof of the car and they’re already arguing.
“You fucking dented my roof,” Killian tells Kai sarcastically, and I’m wondering how injured Kai is because there’s only a low grunt in response. I roll my eyes when I hear Killian explaining to Damon what just happened and that we need him to meet us to give Desiree and Kai a ride. I lose count of how many motherfuckers I hear when I realize that Desiree is opening her car door. I grab Desiree’s shoulder after I’m sure the car is fully in park to prevent her from jumping out and running over to Kai. She’s new to this life. Chad’s cronies could catch up
