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"Connections," she glanced at him and, in the next second, was thrust into complete terror.
A dozen cars ahead of them, a tractor-trailer barreled toward oncoming traffic. The engine of the truck must have hit something. It was like it was suddenly caught on its front right edge and yanked. In under two seconds, it went from traveling in a straight line to in a quick slide, jackknifing and demolishing everything in its path.
Riggs reached over, grabbed the steering wheel, and forced them into a sharp right turn. Horns blared, and people shouted as they cut across two lanes, headed for the railing. "Just do what I say," he spoke in a tone of command that she instinctively reacted to without question. Georgie bit her lip to keep from screaming. She just nodded and followed orders, braking or accelerating on command.
It was a wonder they didn't run into anyone or vice versa. Georgie had done many thrilling things in her life: rock climbing, cliff diving, wingsuit flying, and swimming with sharks. But this was a whole new experience of total sensory immersion into the moment while combating an overload of adrenaline and fear.
The railing was just ahead. They were almost out of the way when a car rocketed through the air, bouncing off vehicles. Cars collided around them, and people swerved into one another. The car catapulting at them would have hit her car if Riggs hadn't maneuvered them out of the way.
The out-of-control car hit the railing head-on and flipped over the mangled metal.
Georgie caught a glimpse of a terrified face before the car vanished. She was so horrified at what was happening before her eyes that she barely registered Riggs' voice. "Stop!"
Her foot stomped the brake before her brain registered the command. They jerked to a stop three feet from the railing. Or what was left of it.
"Turn off the engine," he ordered, already reaching for his crutches.
Georgie turned off the ignition and exited the car. That's when it hit her, the noise. How could it have been so silent these last few moments? Now, it was a racket. Screeching metal, screaming tires, screaming people, engines racing, sirens wailing. It was almost overwhelming. Why, then, didn't Riggs seem to be affected?
"What are you doing?" She watched him get his crutches in position.
"Didn't you hear her? She screamed about a baby."
Georgie felt her leg weaken and reached for the side of the car. "Riggs, there's nothing you can do. I'm sure police rescue is already en route. They'll—"
"They'll be too late," He maneuvered his way to the railing and looked down. "I can make that jump."
"Jump?" Her voice bleeped out high and fast. "No, no no no no no no!" her words were in sync with her steps as she ran to catch him and tried to take his arm. "Don't do this."
Riggs shook her off with little effort, even hampered by the crutches. "Please," she begged again.
"Don't worry. I got this," He smiled, pulled away from her, and positioned himself in the open section of the railing.
"Please don't," she begged. "Riggs, it's too—"
"Dangerous?" He cut her a look. "Baby, that's where I live. See you soon."
Before she could do more than open her mouth, he jumped. Whatever words she'd intended to say fled her mind, and what poured out of her was one long howl of fear. Without thinking, Georgie started after him.
"Hey!" Someone grabbed her arm, and Georgie jerked away.
"Hey," the young woman reached for her. "Are you hurt? Do you know where you are?"
Georgie became aware of new sounds. People were screaming, rushing toward her and the girl. It was a babble of voices, but she got the message. People saw Riggs jump. Phones were raised, and the crowd was growing.
"Hey," the young girl tugged on her arm again.
Georgie jerked away once more. "I'm not hurt and know exactly where I am and what I'm doing. Now leave me alone."
After a split second of indecision, she looked down and reminded herself that she'd survived cliff diving and freefalls and free climbing up a cliff wall.
She could do this. As long as she didn't think about what happened when her parents' car went off the bridge, she could do it. This wasn't then. She wasn't going to have to watch her parents die. She wasn't going to lose a leg to save her sister. She could do this. She had to. Riggs might not know it yet, but he needed her.
"Lady, don't!" A voice yelled.
And that's when she jumped.
Chapter Twelve
