the old track with Sam, my neighbor, was that I knew how to handle my car at high speeds.
The reckless teenager I once was would have been buzzing in this scenario, high on adrenaline. But not now. The only thrill would be in losing the fucker.
“Oh!” Miranda gripped the dash.
“Don’t worry. I did a bit of rally driving as a teenager. Misspent youth.” I glanced over at her and chuckled, which brought a moment of short-lived relief.
With the SUV on my tail, it became a game of weaving in and out of multiple lanes. My nimble car performed beautifully. If only the adrenaline was the type I normally thrived on.
We took the exit for Venice Boulevard.
Then it got interesting.
The SUV tapped my bumper, and Miranda gasped. I fired up. The prick was not only messing with my car, but more significantly, he was freaking out Miranda.
Gunning it, I surged through a yellow light. Knowing he’d have to stop at the red light, I puffed out a breath of relief. I’d won a small victory.
Wrong. The son of a bitch raced through, narrowly missing the stream of cross traffic.
“Hold on,” I urged.
I hooked the car sharply. The wheels squealed as we slid around, and the acrid scent of burning rubber filtered through the window. That was normally a turn-on for me with my need for speed, but at that moment, it was fucking nauseating.
“Should I call the police?” Miranda asked in a high-pitched voice.
I swerved into an alleyway. “No. I’ve lost my license.”
Her head turned sharply. She looked at me as though I’d admitted to having herpes. “You have?”
“It’s a long story. Suffice to say, my driver had the night off.” This was not the time to tell her that I’d taken the wheel from Brent when he’d been wasted one night, and my good deed had backfired. Or that I was a gearhead, and that when my unreliable driver called in sick, I jumped at the chance of driving.
I checked the rearview and realized my pursuer was gaining on me as he sent a bin flying through the air.
“Okay. This isn’t going to be pretty.” I pushed down hard on the gas. Growling like a beast in heat, my car seemed in its element.
“Oh my God.” Miranda gripped onto her seat. “Is there someone who hates you?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” I did wonder if one of my exes was behind it but kept that to myself.
“I’ve got an idea,” Miranda said as I swerved onto another street, narrowly missing an oncoming vehicle.
“Hit me,” I yelled over the cacophony of horns sounding from pissed-off drivers.
“I don’t live very far from here. It’s just the next street over.”
“Okay. Let’s head there now. Left or right?”
7
MIRANDA
I could barely think straight, let alone talk. “Turn right.”
From the left lane, he cut into the one to our right, barely missing an oncoming car.
I nearly swallowed my tongue.
An ear-piercing horn sounded, and as I turned to look, a middle finger greeted me. Offering an apologetic smile, I was pretty sure “nice car” was not what exited the infuriated driver’s lips.
“Quick, take a sharp left there into the parking garage,” I said, my heart racing. I peered over my shoulder, which was steadily becoming second nature.
At least we’d appeared to have lost the SUV.
I’d never loved seeing that stinky underground parking garage as much as that moment.
I pointed. “Park there. That’s my space.” I looked behind again. “I think we’ve lost him.” I wiped my forehead. “Hell.”
Lachlan’s face had a faint sheen of sweat.
“That was some kick-ass driving.” I smiled, trying to make light of the harrowing experience. The last thing he needed was a shrill, hyperventilating passenger blowing into a paper bag, even though that was really what I felt like doing. My heart still pounded in my ears, and I was soaking from cold sweat.
“Thanks,” he said, taking a deep breath.
“Do you want to come up and grab some water?”
“I think I need something stronger than water. But yeah, sure. I might have to wait it out for thirty minutes or so. If that’s okay.” He got out of the car.
“Of course,” I said, as he opened my door.
“This was perfect timing. I really mean it. Thanks.”
“No problem.” I shook my head in disbelief. “I’ve never been in a car chase before. How terrifying. It looks different on film.”
“It’s a first for me too. Are you sure you’re okay?” He blew a jagged breath. “I’m so sorry you had to experience that.”
I could see