Page 61 of Drive Me Crazy

"Nothing." My scalp prickles and a feeling of dread inches down my spine. "I don't understand where the car went to that was here."

"Call Harper, ask her if she saw anyone move it or if it left." One grumbles.

I tilt my head, straining to hear a faint sound far away. "Hang on, I think I hear..." My body quakes when it registers with me. I take off in a dead heat toward the screams. "He's here. Near Landon's. I'm going." I end the call, not waiting on his response.

My lungs burn as my legs move as fast as they can. The closer I get, the harder my heart pounds against my ribs. I hurdle Landon's fence, rounding the corner of his house in a full sprint.

I immediately spot Scout on the side of the street, yelling as she types frantically on her phone. I follow her line of sight as I move beyond the trees in their yard, to find Weston dragging Harper down the road.

"I'm gonna kill him!" My heart seizes, I can't make any mistakes or Harper will pay the price for my actions.

Scout's head whips around and I motion her to stay quiet. I cut through the thicket, around to where Harper and Weston are now across from me.

My pulse thrums through my veins, it deafens me. Weston moves to the side, as he tries to force Harper in the door. I have to give it to her; she's putting up a hell of a fight.

The clouds part, allowing the sun to break through, glinting off the metal in his hand. Weston has a gun in one hand and Harper in his other. Without another thought, I hurl myself toward them. I'll be damned if he tries to hurt her on my watch.

"Weston!" I yell his name with such a guttural menace, his head spins, and the look in his eyes tells me everything I need to know.

It's her or me.

I lunge at him, my fist connecting to his jaw with a crack. His knees buckle, and the gun falls to the ground. I kick it under the car on my way to Harper.

Or so I thought I did. A loud pop jolts me, knocking me to the ground before I can reach Harper. Her face distorts as terror grips her body and all I can do is watch as blood splatters across her face.

"Harper!" The ringing in my ears throws me off balance. Disoriented, I fight to stay present. I reach for Harper, needing to know she's Alright.

I lose my balance when I try to stand and have to lean against the car to stay upright. She's trembling when I wrap her in my arms. "You're okay. It's going to be Alright."

Scout shouts as she sprints toward us, but I'm practically deaf and can't make out what she's saying. She points behind me until I crane my neck to see One and his friends swarming the area.

I turn back to Harper, laying my hand on her face. "You're safe now, I'm sorry I let you down again."

Harper lifts her eyes to mine; they're teaming with emotion. Her lips quiver as she murmurs something to me. I shake my head, unable to hear her or to read her trembling mouth.

Emergency personnel gather around us, slowly separating our hands. I feel her slipping away just as her fingers leave mine. Harper's decimated and for the life of me, I don't have a clue why.

* * *

"Ridge?"Emerson touches my shoulder to get my attention. The last few hours is all I've thought about, I've replayed it in my mind a million times, and I can't find any other way around it.

I straighten in the bed, so I can read her lips for the things I can't make out. "Yeah, is she okay? Did you see her? Would they let you talk to her?"

"Slow down." Emerson holds her hand up, giving me as much direction as she's telling me. "She's Alright, just a few more bruises and scars but honestly, you probably saved her life."

I shake my head repeatedly. "No! I didn't protect her at all, I let her down again."

"You did what One asked you to do, and you did it unprotected as well." Emerson takes my hand, pulling on it until I look at her. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Thanks, Em. Where is everyone?" I roll my shoulders in hopes to relieve some tension.

Em takes a deep breath. "Harper's having a few more tests, she ran everyone out of her room. One, Aksel, our parents and her family are all out in the waiting area. Along with several detectives and agents."

"Why is she alone? Is she okay?" I twist my bottom lip between my fingers.

"I've already told you she's fine, it's a few extra tests. How are you?" Em wrinkles her nose, looking at my hand.

I attempt to pull it away from her, which she has nothing to do with. "I'm fine. I got one punch in before all hell broke loose."