Page 73 of Thorns of Blood

Romeo sauntered back in, announcing he’d faint if he didn’t get some food, and our conversation ceased.

Several hours later, we were anchored off the coast of Key West and the moment we disembarked, the surprise waited for us in the parking lot.

A shiny red Jeep with the top down, and all bells and whistles. I trailed the length of the car, feeling the smooth surface under my fingers.

“What do you think?” Giovanni asked.

“I like the Jeep,” I told him. “Although, I pegged you as a man who prefers sports cars.”

“They’re not exactly the best cars for teaching and your safety is my priority.” His eyes coasted down my body, leaving a trail of sparks in their wake. “Now get behind the wheel.”

He followed close behind me and opened the door, signaling for me to climb in. The minute I was in the driver seat, he came around, sliding into the passenger seat.

“Okay, first thing: start the car with the key in the ignition, then check your mirrors.” I leaned back a little so I wasn’t right up on the steering wheel, my back pressed against the seat. My eyes darted right then left. “Don’t forget the rearview mirror.”

I flicked a glance at it and said, “All good.”

“Good. Place your hands on the wheel,” he instructed. “Imagine it’s like a clock and your hands should be at ten and two.”

I nodded, my belly somersaulting.

“Relax.”

I swallowed. “I’m relaxed. Just tell me what to do next.”

“Okay, there are two pedals. Left one is the brake. Right one is the gas. Press the left one and shift the car into drive.”

My right hand settled on the gear shift, moving it into position, and my fingers gripped the steering wheel. I shifted my legs, following his instructions, when suddenly the car purred to life.

“You’re going to pull onto the street, just to the right.” He followed up with another instruction when the car jerked forward. “Not too much gas at first, okay?”

I nodded, moving my foot off the left pedal and onto the right one. The engine instantly revved and I jumped in my seat, letting up off the pedal.

He chuckled and I glared at him. “Are you laughing at me?”

“No, never at you.” He lifted both hands up in the air. “Okay, okay, let’s try this again.”

Uncertainty slid down my back. “Maybe I’m not meant to drive.”

I hated feeling useless and insecure. It made me want to lash out.

All these emotions were spiraling out of control, and it felt like I was going to drown in them. Maybe years of suppressing them was catching up to me.

“Liana, look at me.” The tight space in the car seemed to be closing in on me. A tremor started in my hands and spread. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. “Look at me.” I turned my profile to him, meeting his determined gaze. “If I could teach Marissa how to drive, I know you’ll get it in no time.”

My heart stilled in an unnatural way at the thought of this man with another woman.

“Who’s Marissa?” I asked, my voice frigid enough to plunge the humid Florida heat into below-freezing digits.

“My sister.”

“Oh.”

For the first time in my life, I felt… stupid. Silly. It was a first for me. Thankfully, Giovanni either didn’t notice it or he let it slide.

“Okay, give it some gas again,” he suggested. “Slowly.”

I followed the instructions. A little more gas, and I felt the tires rotate the asphalt underneath. I gripped the wheel so hard my knuckles turned white.