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“You’ve got company,” another voice says from the interior. I turn toward it and recognize Gabriel Rothburn immediately.
There’s a masculine grunt, and then I’m flying. Spinning. Landing against a solid chest. I don’t have time to be dizzy or scared. The car rises up, swallowing me whole. Outside, there are shouts. Someone calls my name.
A big tuxedo glad body leans through the door, fastening my seat belt. Lightbulb flashes dot my vision, turning everything a bright, eerie blue. Then the door slams. I look through the darkened glass and see photographers approaching, circling like they mean to cage us in. People with cell phones.
Alarm blares through me, overtaking the panic. To my left, the rear door opens, and Alex Hunt slides inside. He doesn’t look at me, just puts on his seat belt and utters a single word.
“Drive.”
The car jolts forward and then changes lanes. I suck in a deep breath and let it out through my mouth. It’s okay. It’ll all be okay.
I blink out at the blur of lights. Faces.
So many faces.
My mother’s voice whispers through my mind. “We’re so disappointed, Katherine.”
My vision darkens at the edges. I close my eyes and try the breathing exercises I learned online.
Just breathe.
In for four seconds. Hold. Out for four seconds.
Everything’s going to be okay.
In for four seconds.
My purse buzzes, and a fresh wave of panic washes over my head. Eyelids snapping open, I reach for something to hold on to. My wristlet purse dangles, feeling like a snare. White noise roars in my ears, and sweat erupts over my skin as my other hand reaches blindly. Door handle. Anything.
I grab a hard thigh. Warm. Solid beneath an exquisite fabric. A big hand closes over mine.
“You’re safe, Kate. Just keep breathing.”
Alex’s words are disjointed, coming at me from multiple directions.
But he sounds utterly calm and so capable. Must be nice. I bet he doesn’t suffer from panic attacks.
I do as he says and take another deep breath. All the while, the car bumps over the streets.
“That’s it.” He squeezes my hand. “Another breath. We’re leaving the chaos behind.”
His deep voice is so delicious. So soothing. I soak in the calm around me. The interior is quiet, muffling all the sounds from outside. Or maybe it’s still the cotton in my ears.
We hit something and the car jolts. “Sorry,” Gabe mutters from the front seat. Alex’s hand presses mine tighter to his leg.
I blow out a sigh and immediately force another breath into my lungs. How long till we’re home? Until this ends?
It’s nearly impossible to force myself to be calm, but I try anyway. Counting to ten. Counting backward from ten. Counting my breaths.
But still, anxiety has me by the back of the throat, shaking me like a doll.
There’s a groan, or maybe it’s a sigh, and then my seatbelt gives. “Don’t get into an accident,” Alex growls.
Alex. Strong and steady Alex. My calm in the storm.
“Wasn’t planning on it.” Even through my fuzzy state, I hear the utter confidence in the words and Gabe’s tone. He’s good at everything he does.
Everything?
