Page 146 of Salvage Him

Twenty-Six

Brooklyn

Paul threwa couple of twenties on the table and yanked me out of the chair bymyarm.

Who knew he would be the one to drag me through therestaurant?

We waited for the valet to bring my SUVaround.

Paul remained silent, but sweat had dampened his collar. Red splotches peppered his cheeks and neck. He panted as he loosened his collar. He couldn't focus; his eyes darted around. When my SUV pulled up, he nudged me toward the passenger side. He walked around to the driver’s side andslidin.

Ihesitated.

"Get in the fucking car, Brooklyn," heyelled.

The valet attendant gave me a look as if asking if I was sure I wanted to go withthisman.

I wasn't sure myself, but I wanted to get home and get my stuff. This was my car. I wanted to get to Harrison's place, lock the door, and neverleave.

Once we got to the apartment, I would feel safe. The good thing about living in a high rise. People were alwaysaround.

I climbed in and struggled to secure my seat belt before we sped off. A couple jumped out of the way to avoid gettingrunover.

Paul was inarage.

"Paul." I grabbed his arm, and he yanked it out of my grasp. The force caused him to smack his elbow on the driver’s side window withathud.

"Fuck," he yelled and shook hishandout.

"Paul, please slow down." I kept my voice calm. My heartraced.

"No. You don't get to tell me what to do. Stupid bitch. You have ruined everything." He took the corner fast and skidded on twowheels.

"Paul," I screamed andheldon.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," he said under his breath. His eyes continued to dart around. He took another turn too fast, and when he stepped on the brakes, I jerked forward. The seat belt cut into mychest.

"Paul, stop. Let me out," I said. I pleaded with him, but instead of stopping, he stomped his foot on the gas and turned onto Oak Lawn. He took a wide left turn onto Armstrong and then a quick right onto Turtle Creek Blvd. I watched him scanned the area as he stepped on the gas pedal. We lurched forward, and his eyes stoppeddarting.

He focused on a target. We jumped the curb then hit something solid on my side that took us up, and thecarspun.

All the air escaped my lungs as the car soared. I felt weightless, and there was nonoise.

The world came rushing back as the car fell to the ground. The air returned to my lungs on impact. We were upside down and skidded a few feet before the secondimpact.

Then, the world went silentagain.

* * *

"Miss."The voice was distant atfirst.

"Miss." It grew louder. "I need you to wakeup.Miss."

I regained consciousness with a gasp. My hands went out in front of me. Pain radiated up myleftarm.

"That's it. Miss, I'm Dr. Andrews. You are in the seat belt strapped tothecar."

"Get me out of here," I yelled, and my lungs burned. I coughed, and my whole bodyprotested.