t to her skin. Blinded by water, she stumbled across the flooded street, he

nd collapsed into the driv

into her eyes. She slammed h

res spinning on the wet asphalt before catching traction and

phone buzzed relentlessly a

(8 MISS

led into her skull, bring

off. The slick glass slipped from her fingers, bouncing of

th, leaning down for a sp

s left

the flooded intersection shor

gnoring the lights. Its blinding high beams flooded the interio

ead up. A scream rip

the right. The tires hit a sheet of

res screeching, before slamming sid

rse fabric slapping her in the face and chest

ing wen

ing pain in her ribs dragged

forehead, running into her le

mell of burning rubber and gasoline filled the air. Sp

ushing with all her remaining strength. The metal frame was crushed inward

the low rumble of a heavy mo

lack leather jacket swung his leg off the seat. A full-face hel

raight toward

dle and yanked. The met

e corner of the driver's window. The glass spiderwebbed instantly. He pulled his fist b

f his body in

t the scent of rain, motor oil,

hing for the seatbelt release. He pressed the

ombat knife from his boot and sliced

eath the hood, crawling ra

w, gravelly voice sai

h explosive strength, he hauled her entir

chest and broke into a dead

ty yards before the Pors

ground, the heat and shockw

d his body in mid-air. He took the brunt of the fall onto his own back,

Beneath his wet shirt, she could hear

her back into his arms, and carried her u

er jacket and wrapped it tightl

ocket and dialed 911. His voice was a calm, low bark,

d her heavy

st above his left eyebrow. His dark eyes we

, but only a co

zing hand in his. With his thumb, he g

was a rough, quiet growl. "Lo

mbulance sirens final

olding Alayna together snapped. Her head rolled aga