Page 152 of Carnage


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We’re hit again, and Haidyn’s arm lands across my chest to hold me back as if my seat belt isn’t going to do its job.

“Here.” Haidyn leans over the back bench seat. Then he’s removing my seat belt and placing something over my head. “What is this?” I ask, my hands shaking.

“It’s a bulletproof vest.” He pulls the Velcro across my chest and stomach so tight I can barely breathe.

“Where’s yours?” I ask when he sits back in his seat, but he ignores me. “Haidyn?” I grip his hand, digging my nails into his tattooed arm. My wide eyes meet his, and he looks much calmer than I feel. “You need…”

“I’m fine, baby girl. Put your seat belt back on,” he orders before moving to the other seats that face us. He leans over into the front of the SUV and talks quietly with the driver. One hand holds the gun while the other points out to the road as he gives instructions.

My wide eyes look around to see what’s going on, but the SUVs and the cargo van are gone. Nothing but the dark night around us. I let out a shaky breath and sit in my seat. Running my sweaty hands down my bare thighs. My feet bounce up and down, and now I wish I had brought my cell with me so I could call Saint. Even if I know he won’t answer, maybe it would make me feel better.

Haidyn looks at me over his shoulder. “Put your seat belt on!” His eyes glare at me.

“It’s fine. They…” The sound of crunching metal cuts off my words. My body is thrown forward, and I feel like I hit a brick wall. Something covers my face, taking away my sight. A loud ringing takes over my hearing, and I feel like I’m rolling down a hill.

I can’t breathe. As if a weight is sitting on top of me. My sight is still restricted. Voices start to clear the ringing sound, and I blink rapidly to see Haidyn on top of me. His hands are on either side of my face. He’s got blood running down his.

His body pins mine down while something sharp digs into my back, and I wonder if that’s why I can’t breathe. His mouth moves, but I can’t hear anything he’s saying.

My hands try to push him off me, but when he doesn’t budge, I hit the thing strapped to my chest. I rip one of the Velcro off, and he sits up, undoing the others.

I manage to suck in a breath, arching my neck the best I can, and my lungs burn.

“Ashtyn?” he shouts. “Ashtyn. I’m going to pull you out.”

I don’t understand what he means or why we’re lying on the ground. But before I can say anything, he grabs my arm and yanks me through broken glass. Then I’m looking up at a sky full of stars. The world seems to spin around and around.

“Ash?” Haidyn’s voice makes me flinch. Then hands are on me. I’m pulled to a sitting position, and I stare into his blue eyes. There are four of them. “What hurts?” he demands. His hands push some strands of hair from my face that my ponytail no longer holds up.

Hurt? Am I supposed to be hurting?

“Breathe!” he commands, and I try to push him away, but he grips my face in both hands, placing his face in front of mine. “Fucking breathe, Ash. Come on, baby girl. Take in a deep breath for me.”

My vision goes blurry, and I realize I’m crying. When I blink them away, he comes back into focus. His pretty eyes dart back and forth between mine. I part my lips and manage to suck in a sharp breath. It feels like I’ve swallowed a ball of fire, making me choke. I begin to cough.

“That’s it.” He nods his head. “Deep breaths. One after the other.”

“Hai-dyn.” My body trembles in his hands.

“Don’t fucking talk, Ash. Just breathe for me.”

My hand goes to my burning chest, and I yank at my dress. “Burns…” I manage to say between gasps.

“You’re okay. It’s okay.” He runs his knuckles down my face, wiping my tears away.

“You’re bleeding,” I whisper.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”

“Hai—”

I’m yanked up from the ground by my hair, and a scream is ripped from my mouth at the sting in my already pounding head. An arm wraps around my neck from behind, pinning me to a strong body. I try to fight, but I’m too weak.

Haidyn slowly gets to his feet and lifts his hands into the air. “Let her go.”

My hands dig into the arm choking me as my body fights the best it can. The process has my dress rising up my thighs.

A dark laugh makes the hairs on my neck rise. “Haidyn. It’s good to see you again.”

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