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the right words.  Like you, I need to stay by your side because you mean everything to me. If
you fall, I fall, I whispered, repeating his words.  And if we fall, I d rather we do it together. No
exceptions, no regrets, and that s a whole lot better than taking a chance and having to live
without you.
 You remember? He turned slowly, his eyes penetrating my soul, absorbing my words.
The love in his gaze reached my heart, coursed through my blood, and swirled inside my mind.
 Of course I do. I nodded.  You asked me if I trusted you, and I can tell you in all honesty
that I do now.
His eyes twinkled brighter than the stars dotting the night sky.
 You have a problem trusting my dedication to you, but you trust me in a life-and-death
situation? he asked in disbelief. His delicious lips twitched at the corners. I couldn t help but
smile because it was the truth.
I wanted to reply when his brows shot up. I followed his line of vision and saw Brian
signaling something before heading back to his car.
 Three minutes left, Jett said, his attention turning back to me. His hand lingered on my
face as he brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes.  You re like no one I ve met before, he
whispered.
 I hope that s a good thing.
 It sure is. He smiled, revealing a pair of gorgeous dimples to die for.  I like that you
trust me. I can work with that.
He cupped my face, his thumb stroking my skin as he leaned in to kiss me, his tongue
meeting mine in a tender embrace. It barely lasted a few seconds, and yet it was the best kiss
of my life.
 I truly believe you re the greatest thing that s ever happened to me, Jett said softly,
 and there s nothing I d ever change about you. You know that, right?
He kissed me again. It was only when he leaned back to pull on his gloves and turn the
key that I realized our kiss might have been our last.
Chapter 24
IT WASN T THE roar of Jett s car, nor the fired shot signaling the start of the race what
sent my intestines into icy knots. It was the moment a black car pulled up next to us that I
knew the time had come.
The passenger window rolled down, and Doug s gaze met mine. He was in his early
twenties, with blond curly hair that fell into his blue eyes. His features were roughened, and
his posture was confident. But what made me wary was the self-assured smile on his lips. It
wasn t so much a smile as a smirk. Jett nodded and let out a low chuckle. In that instant I knew.
Two men engaged in a battle of egos equaled a hell of a ride. And I was trapped inside this
nightmare with no way out. Jett sped up and changed gears, the muscles in his arms straining.
He didn t seem bothered by the way Doug s car kept coming too close or that Doug bumped
into our car when he overtook us shortly before we reached the first cross-point.
Someone made a hand signal. Doug turned to the left and Jett followed. I expected Jett to
swear, but instead he hit the pedals harder and we sped off. No signs of his nervousness. My
fingers buried in the armrest when the tires hit a bump in the road and I shot forward against
the seatbelt. I wanted to scream, but the sound remained trapped in my throat. Jett needed my
support. He needed my trust, because doubt and fear would take us nowhere.
But fear choked me, made me gasp for air and wish I d never have to set foot in a car
again.
I hated the way the car kept jerking after each bump and the engine roared like it might
be about to draw its last breath. Every muscle in my body hurt, and my mind was spiraling
into a giant hole of panic. Each second felt like an eternity. At the second cross-point, Jett
overtook Doug. Adrenaline pulsed through me as I realized we still had a chance to win. Jett
knew what he was doing, and his focus gave me courage. We were so close. So near I could
already see the headlights of countless cars marking the finish line. Soon my ordeal would be
over.
I recognized Brian s blue Ferrari in the distance. He was leaning casually against his car,
the lights illuminating his features. We were almost there, barely a hundred feet. Fifty feet. But
Jett didn t slow down. He was going way too fast. If he didn t stop in time, we d crash into
Brian s car.
 Slow down, I shouted. He didn t acknowledge my command. Was he so high on
adrenaline that he didn t realize what was about to happen?
 Jett! I screamed, bracing myself.  You re going to kill him.
 It s okay. He didn t seem affected in any way. My heart dropped. In horror I watched
Brian jump out of the way. Just in time, Jett swerved the wheel and drove past his car and the
finish line.
 Serves him right for dragging you into this, he mumbled, and hit the accelerator again.
I shook my head at his stunt and let out a sigh of relief that nothing bad had happened.
And we were the first to reach the finish line, meaning we had won. I turned to Jett. His fingers
remained clenched around the steering wheel.
 Where are you going? I asked, frowning.
 Back to the city. His calm tone, which I suspected was supposed to comfort me, only
managed to alert me.
Why would he drive all the way back to the city when we were supposed to pick up his
award or whatever?
I narrowed my eyes.  I thought you were going to stop. You said so yourself.
 Yes. He dragged out the word, not looking at me.  Once it s over. The race isn t finished
yet. He took a left onto the main road. In the distance stretched out the illuminated highway
and the New York skyline.
 What do you mean?
 The rules are: whoever arrives first, wins.
 What?
He wanted to drive all the way back through the city? Through the traffic to the
warehouses? How the hell would he win without getting a speeding ticket? Or worse yet,
becoming famous on national TV? In my mind, I could already see a helicopter circling over us,
relaying the news that a driver had run amok, and people being warned to stay off the streets.
We d be all over national TV. So much for keeping a low profile.
 But  I shook my head, realizing the finish line was the warehouse and we were taking
a detour. What he was about to do was crazy. I checked the rearview mirror. Doug followed
closely behind.
 You thought it d be that easy? Jett asked, answering my unspoken question.
 You call that easy? I muttered.  I d say crazy, insane even. I clasped my hand over my
mouth. The truth crippled me. Apparently, Jett had every intention of continuing this madness
through the busy streets of New York City.  Oh, God.
 I warned you, he said. We overtook one car and then another. After a few minutes Jett
hit the brakes. We slowed down to below the speed limit. I shot Jett a confused look. Doug
drove past. Jett didn t seem to notice. When we halted in the middle of the road, I knew
something was wrong. As much as I wanted to believe Jett had stopped because of me, I
couldn t shake off the feeling he d never give up.
 What are you doing? I asked. Doug disappeared in the distance. Judging by the way he
wound his way through traffic, he d either crash or win. Cars stacked up behind us, but Jett
ignored them and me.
 Jett? My fingers barely touched his arm.  What s wrong?
 Did you notice Doug stayed on our tail but didn t take the lead until now? He thinks he
can catch up in the end, which is possible, given that it s one of the tricks I taught him. I m
devising a different strategy. He peered at me briefly before turning his attention on the
rearview mirror.
I feared the answer, but felt compelled to ask.  Which is?
 A shortcut he doesn t know, Jett said calmly.
Ah.
Somehow I didn t like it because, knowing Jett, shortcuts were never  shortcuts as in
 the easy way.
I didn t just suspect.
I knew.
Doug had almost disappeared from my vision, but if I craned my neck I could still see [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]