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After the barrier gate lifts, he proceeds forward, but instead of turning left and toward Lamberside Palace, he takes a right.
“What are you doing?” I ask, brow winkled in confusion.
“Most likely getting myself fired. And disowned. But if Creed thinks you’re worth the risk and you’re willing to give all of this up for him, who am I to stand in your way?”
I stare at him, speechless, heart thundering in my chest.
“Unless you want me to take you to the gala so Jameson Gates can propose?” He brings the car to a stop, looking at me through the rearview mirror, a question within.
This is crazy, not to mention out of character for Adam. It was one thing to want to be with Creed when I knew it was an impossibility.
Can I actually follow through with this?
Can I actually take this risk?
“I told you I’d choose your brother today and every day,” I finally say. “So that’s what I’m doing. Making my own decision.”
A hint of pride fills Adam’s eyes as he eases on the accelerator. “Good for you.”
Excitement bubbles in my veins as I settle into the back seat of the SUV, watching as the familiar streets of my country’s capital city pass by. I’ve driven along these streets most of my life. But today, they seem brighter. Livelier. More colorful. And it’s not simply because it’s the celebration of our country’s independence. It’s because I’m finally ready to reclaim my independence, too.
Normally, the drive to Creed’s place on the outskirts of town doesn’t take too long, maybe twenty minutes.
But tonight, those twenty minutes may as well be a year each, especially with Adam’s cell phone vibrating every few minutes, most likely someone demanding to know where he’s taking me.
But he doesn’t answer. Nor does he turn the car around and take me to the palace. Instead, he ignores the calls, regardless of the consequences he’ll suffer when this is all over. It makes me question why he’d have such a sudden change of heart.
Mere days ago, he demanded I end things with Creed, not only because of the risk to Creed’s future but also because of the potential risk to Adam’s own career with the guard, as well as their father’s.
Now he’s willing to do something that will undoubtedly lead to his discharge?
“Why are you doing this for me?” I ask as he pulls down a dimly lit street, barely another car in sight.
“Let’s just say someone smacked some sense into me.” He rubs his jaw. “Or, more accurately, punched some sense into me.”
“Creed?”
He nods. “Accused me of turning into our father. Forgetting what’s most important.”
“And what’s that?”
“Family,” he responds with a deep exhale. “I’m not sure this will fix things between us. At least not right away. But hopefully it’s a step in the right direction.”
I reach up from the back seat, giving his shoulder a squeeze. “Thank you, Adam.”
He lifts his gaze to the rearview mirror and gives me a serene smile. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so calm. So…tranquil. As if he’s finally made peace with his role in life, too.
But in a heartbeat, it all vanishes, his expression filling with something else. Something akin to alarm.
I glance behind us, panic tightening my chest when I see a dark car chasing us at a high rate of speed.
“Get down!” Adam shouts as he engages in several evasive maneuvers, but he’s no match for whoever’s driving the other vehicle.
Just as I peek out the window to see how close it is, we’re hit from behind. The impact forces us off the road and into a tree, my head slamming into the seat in front of me.
The last thing I remember is the stench of gasoline filling the SUV.
Then everything goes dark.
