Page 79 of Violent Skies

Unknown

Second time’s the charm?

Relentless. This is a warning. They want me to drive tonight.

“Unc sent what he could. It’s a good base of guys, they all know the plan,” Jesse says and I look up from my phone to meet his gaze.

Race, win, protect. If there’s any sign of trouble, Jesse can pull any of them in for help and they all know who to stand in front of when it starts. Protect my family, I told Liloa on the phone. That’s all that matters.

“Look at that pretty face,” Jesse coos as Birdie climbs from her car in a mess of mesh and scraps of fabric that barely look like clothing anymore. The t-shirt, that used to be in one piece, has the Monroe Motors logo chopped to pieces and slapped across her chest. The bruise around her eye has become nothing but a light stain, and she’s grinning ear to ear.

“Where’s Jake?” she asks, leaning into his hug.

“With Jet. I think he’s trying to convince them to hold races at the bar,” Jesse snorts. “He’s going to be returned to me with his finger tips, isn’t he?” He gets nervous when Birdie raises a concerned eyebrow.

“Jet is more of a gential mutilation kind of person,” Birdie teases and Jesse’s usual copper skin turns white as a ghost. “You should go save him.” She pats him on the face and he disappears into the crowd of people.

Unknown

Everything's on the line, Monroe.

“Where are the boys?” I ask, and Birdie looks over her shoulder, but Cress finds them first and nods towards the R35 where Rafe is making pretty eyes at some brunette in a mini skirt. Her friend is working her ass off for Murphy’s attention but he’s hyper focused on the dash of the car that he doesn’t even notice her leaning over him.

“Don’t take your eyes off them,” I tell Birdie.

I trust Liloa and his men about as much as I would a live bomb. Birdie narrows her eyes on me, and I know what comes next is the fight of my life.

“You’re driving,” Birdie says and Cress’s gaze snaps to me, her mouth falling open.

“I have to.” I look down at her and can feel the anxiety rolling off her. She’s trying not to lose her shit, and while I expected an argument, I didn’t think it would involve Cress.

“You can’t.” Cress shakes her head.

“That’s what they want.”

“That’s why you shouldn’t.” Birdie takes her side.

“It’s exactly why I don’t have any other option. I’m not putting any of you in that car when the only variable we know for sure is that something bad is waiting on the finish line,” I hiss at her. She might have been able to win previous arguments with logic and sheer will alone,, but I wasn’t budging on this.

“You and your variables are bullshit,” she snaps.

I don’t care. Not after what happened to her and Rafe. I wouldn’t be able to stomach not knowing what was going on at every second.

“This wasn’t the plan!” Birdie reminds me. And she’s right, it wasn’t. She was supposed to drive today, but I can’t let her.

“Plan’s changing,” I bark.

“You’re not leaving me here,” she argues.

“I need someone to protect Murphy,” I remind her. “I don’t trust anyone else here. Rafe’s ribs are still bugging him, he won’t admit it but they are. You’re healthier, you need to have their backs.” I explain and she looks over her shoulder at them. “I need you here.”

“Who protects you?” Birdie asks, her eyes wild.

“Me.” Cress’s voice cuts through us.

“Ican do it. I know what sitting passenger means.”

I want to say no. Instantly. The word rolls around in my mouth like a fucking marble.