Peter pushed on the gas again, driving the pedal practically into the floor with his boot. Multiple motorcycle engines revved behind us among several gunshots that seemed to ricochet off nearby buildings. “Pet?” I asked, terrified that a bullet would hit him while I was in the car.

What the hell was going on? Gunshots and car chases in the middle of the day? We weren’t in Providence, but that didn’t seem to matter. No place was safe!

“I’ve got this baby. Don’t worry!”

Um, worrying was all I was doing right now. How did this happen?

I screamed as I felt an impact hit the right rear bumper of the car and Pete fishtailed, the Nova spinning in a full circle before he gained control, and then we were off again as he gunned the accelerator.

The chase was on.

“I’m going to fucking kill Bryce. The bastard!”

Behind us I heard the heavy guttural engine of a Harley and hoped R.J. wasn’t hurt.

“What hit you?” I asked, trying to keep low.

Pete swerved the car to the right and turned quickly, his boot still heavy on the gas, “Another car. Son of a bitch who hit my dad’s Nova is gonna pay.”

“I thought the Nova was yours.”

“It is,” he shook his head, “It’s the only damn thing he’s ever given me that he loved.”

I nodded, understanding. Pete’s dad was a hard man. Mack had a reputation as someone not to mess with. Even I knew that, although I couldn’t think of a single reason why that instilled so much fear.

“Better try not to wreck it then,” I commented dryly when he hit a curb and smashed the left door with a metal trash can.

“Shit!” he cursed, grumbling under his breath.

I tried not to giggle, but I think the combination of adrenaline and fear was nipping away at my sanity.

“Rae,” he exhaled, frustrated with my obvious humor.

“I’m sorry,” I blurted, trying to cover my mouth with my hands and hold on to the seat at the same time. “Are we still being followed?”

Pete glanced in the rearview as I watched his shoulders relax. His voice was less clipped than before when he answered, “Stay down Rae, but I think we’re good.”

Behind us the Harley revved its engine and then pulled up to our right as we stopped at a red light. R.J. gestured to me with a frown. Peter nodded, seeing his look of concern, “She’s safe bro.”

R.J. winked in my direction and then ticked his head forward, gesturing west to Peter. I knew the freeway led out of the city to the west since that’s the route R.J. took on the bike. Sometime later I noticed the only sound I could hear besides the radio was the Harley. I checked the mirror and couldn’t see anyone but R.J. and normal traffic.

“Peter, what happened to the truck?”

“Beckett implemented his plan.”

“Which was?”

“The sheriff caught up to Bryce.”

Huh, interesting. Was he arrested now? “What about Beckett?”

“He’s good honey, I promise.”

“So we’re safe?” I asked, sitting up and rubbing my neck where it was stiff.

“Not really,” he sighed, “but I suppose it’s the best I can do for now. Why don’t you lay back and rest? We’ll be at the cabin, nice and safe, soon.”

I wanted to argue that I wasn’t tired but the truth was the adrenaline had peaked in my bloodstream, and now I was left exhausted from the stress and excitement.

***

“RAE? WAKE UP BABY.”

Peter had the car door propped open with his leg and was reaching inside for me. I had a moment of déjà vu when I remembered how I arrived here the first time. Snug in Pete’s embrace, I was carried into the cabin as R.J. followed closely behind.

Before I could say a word, Hayley came running toward us and tackled me in the fiercest hug I’ve ever had from her since that fateful day we met so many years ago. My bestie since we were little kids and the school bully tried to steal my Wonder Women lunch box. Hay was the one who punched him that day and set him straight. We’ve been inseparable ever since. She barreled into Pete as he laughed and staggered against the onslaught but kept us all upright.

“I’m alright Hay, honest.”

“Don’t you ever scare me like that again Rae Elizabeth Stenson! I’ll kick your ass!”

I burst out laughing and shook my head, “I honestly think you could!”

“Damn straight,” she retorted, but her laugh was one of relief.

“It’s ok Hay. We made it back in one piece.”

Peter snorted, “Not all of us.”

Hay shot him a look of impatience, “What happened?”

“Somebody hit the Nova.”

She arched a brow, shaking her head in amusement, “Damn thing is made of solid lead. I doubt its hurt bad.”

“Gonna take us weeks to repair the damage,” R.J. chimed in.

“Fuck you,” Pete spat, glaring at R.J.

“What’s your problem? Rae deserved to know the truth.”

“By running away with her? Not caring about her safety or comfort? You were reckless R.J.!”

“She was safe enough with me,” he argued, “I wouldn’t have let anything happen to her.”

“And if they would have found you? You think you could have protected her alone?”

“Fuck you, Pete. I had it under control.”

Best friends fighting and all because of me was ridiculous. “Stop it!” I yelled, wincing as my head began to pound.

Peter hugged me tighter, angling his body so I was away from R.J, “You fucked up. We’ll discuss this later. It’s upsetting Rae.”

Jake sauntered over and slid an arm across Hayley’s shoulders, “Stop it with the pissing contest. I don’t care who has a bigger dick.”

I burst out laughing with Hay as she squealed, Jake picking her up and heading down to their room, “Catch you all later. I want time with my girl.”

R.J. sank onto the loveseat, his eyes fluttering in fatigue.

“I’ve got watch tonight,” Peter managed between clenched teeth. He didn’t try to hide his annoyance. “Go get some sleep, Rae. I’ve got this baby.”

I shook my head, “Not without you.”

Two minutes later I was snuggled on the couch after Peter tucked me in, “Night baby.”

I thought I heard the guys talking as I was drifting asleep and hoped they worked through their issues. We didn’t need inner conflict on top of everything else.