Page 188 of Fixation
The damn door closest to her won’t budge.
The son of a bitch locked her inside. I’m wasting precious seconds out here because of him.
If he hasn’t died yet, which I’m sure he has, I’ll kill him myself.
After I help her.
The driver’s door is locked too. I look left and right for something to help me break her window and—thank fuck.
A discarded metal piece from one of the construction sites in the area lies there, on the sidewalk.
A rod.
A lifeline.
Using my elbow to break the glass could’ve ended up damaging it. I need my arm. I need every part of me intact. So I could be Harper’s savior. Her surgeon, if it comes down to that.
Please, don’t let it come to that.
Someone hisses, “I’m calling the cops,” when I run to pick up the filthy rod off the floor.
Fuck them.
Before I go to Harper, I stalk to the front of the car. Check the driver’s pulse so that I can kill him in case he’s still alive.
Nothing.
His death thrills me for all of a second. Then I remember Harper.
Bangand the driver’s window splinters.
No one comes near me as I thrust the rod into it a second time. At last, it breaks. I hurl the rod at his window over and over until I create a hole wide enough for me to fit my arm into without risking injuries.
I unlock the doors. I curse him.
“Harper.” I yank the door open, willing my pulse to slow. For my mind to stop racing and focus, just focus on her. I won’t lose control. She can count on me. “Kitten.”
My hands move on their own as I brush my fingertips over her. Careful. Determined.
I look at her neck. Time her pulse.
There. It’s there, fluttering beneath my fingertips.
Then I curse as I look at that tattered, useless seatbelt that’s hanging next to Harper.
“Baby.” I accept her body into mine rather than pulling her aggressively out of the taxi. Can’t risk being careless when I don’t know what’s broken, cracked, or bleeding.
“Come here,” I say to the unconscious woman who has my heart in a vise grip.
Fear threatens to push through when her head lolls. Those lashes. Those cheeks. She’s painfully beautiful.
She’s breaking my heart.
I’m stronger than that. She won’t die on me.
Fucking ever.
“That’s it. Such a good girl.” I walk to my car, ignoring the frantic shouts. The people watching us. “Easy now. I’ve got you. Just let me help you.”
