Page 199 of The Darkest Chase

Oh, crap, if Xavier didn’t take my phone out, if he didn’t mess with it…

I might be able to signal Micah.

Hope blooms in my chest.

Grunting with exertion, I wiggle backward, fighting the way the car bounces me around and trying to dig my feet in to brace myself.

I fumble blindly. My wrists are tied but my fingers can still move. I manage to snag a fold of fabric, dragging the bag closer.

With my teeth clenched, I feel around until I find the zipper, then tug, lose my grip, swear, catch it, tug, lose it again, nearly scream, try again and then—

There!

The zipper opens.

Just enough for me to plunge my fists inside.

No time for finesse.

I don’t know how long I have before Mr. Congeniality decides to stop and take care of his annoying Talia Grey problem.

My pulse kicks up as I rummage around, feeling for the edge of my phone.

Got it!

I’m not someone who prays, but you’d better believe I do it right now.

Pray that the app screen stays active for situations like this.

Pray that Xavier didn’t do anything to shut it down.

I mash my fingertips against the screen, begging, pleading—oh, thank God!

A low beep.

Barely there, the sound purposefully muted so it won’t alert whoever might be listening to someone seeking help.

But it’s there.

If I’m lucky, maybe that’s enough.

Maybe Micah will save me one last time.

Even if he doesn’t love me, I know he’d never leave me to die.

I just hope there’s time.

Who knows how much longer this drive is.

Time doesn’t have much meaning in this blind killing darkness. My head throbs with adrenaline.

And I feel every movement when the bouncy road changes, like we’re moving over a different kind of pavement now.

It slows, turns, then stops.

I brace myself, biting the inside of my cheek, assessing my pathetic options.

What can I do? Headbutt whoever opens the trunk?

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