Page 74 of Thorns of Blood

“Turn right here.”

I turned the wheel in that direction, then quickly straightened the wheel back to make sure I stayed in my lane.

“You’re doing good.” I smiled. No, I beamed like the spotlight with the highest watt lightbulb. “You’re a natural at this,” he praised.

My smile dimmed, a memory flashing in my mind.

“Good job, Liana.” My mother beamed. “Snap his neck and victory is yours.”

I ignored the guilt inside me. This wasn’t exactly an innocent man. He’d just delivered trafficked bodies to the compound, but being one short—because he had repulsive urges—my mother wanted to teach every other delivery man a lesson.

You damaged merchandise, you died.

Still straddling the man’s body, his face downward in the sand, I grabbed his head and in one move, I snapped his neck.

“You’re a natural, Liana. I’m so proud of you.”

The tire bounced over the curb and startled me back to the present.

“Oh, shit! I’m sorry.” I turned the wheel left, taking us back onto the road and in the lane.

I was embarrassed and frustrated, accustomed to striving for perfection. I didn’t want to make a fool out of myself in front of him.

“It’s okay,” he soothed. “It’s just a little bump. The car and the curb can take it.”

“Okay,” I said, blowing out a long, slow breath.

I moved the steering wheel, swerving the car side to side to keep in my lane, then sat up straighter, my shoulders relaxing.Pushing down on the gas, the car picked up pace, making my body jerk slightly. Instinctively, I gripped the wheel harder and didn’t blink for a second as I tried to concentrate.

The engine roared, accelerating under me as the car sped down the Overseas Highway of the Florida Keys, crystal blue water on both sides stretching as far as the eye could see.

I kept the wheel positioned in my lane, feeling the car race across the pavement in the rhythm of my heartbeat.

“You’re doing it,” he whispered. The car rumbled under my feet, making my heart leap in my chest. “I’m so proud of you.”

I broke out in a smile, basking in his praise.

“Can we go faster?” I asked.

“You tell me. You’re the driver.” He smiled, leaning back and folding his arms. “Should we put on some music?”

“Sure.”

“What do you like?”

I thought about it for a moment. “Well, I like Sarah McLachlan for my mellow moods.” He cocked a brow. “And Eminem when I…”

“When you?” He encouraged me to finish my statement.

I blushed. “When I’m hyped up or angry.”

“Strong emotions then.” I nodded, relaxing into my seat even though my heart was still beating hard with the speed. “Eminem it is.”

He picked a playlist and turned on his stereo. “Love The Way You Lie” started playing and I bit my bottom lip, butterflies fluttering in the pit of my stomach.

My blood raced, and for the first time in a long time, I felt free. I knew it was an illusion, but it felt beautiful. Amazing.

I found the window button on the door and pressed on it, the windows rolling down with a soft buzz, the cool air whipping through my hair as the music pounded. I turned my head toward him to see him smiling.