Just thinking about it made Rachel''s heart race with excitement.


    Joshua''s driving skills were beyond anything Ste could have imagined.


    When he said a crash could be fatal, he hadn''t been joking.


    Within moments, their pursuers boxed them in-cars ramming into each other, some erupting in explosions that sent fire roaring skyward.


    Thanks to Joshua''s remarkable reflexes and steady hands, he managed to take out most of the cars chasing them. But their enemies were out for blood, holding nothing back.


    It wasn''t long before Ste''s car was battered nearly beyond recognition.


    Joshua didn''t escape unscathed either; he suffered some serious injuries in the chaos.


    After they finally dealt with thest of their attackers, Ste let out a shaky breath of relief.


    But in that final collision, Joshua had yanked the steering wheel hard to one side, taking the brunt of the crash himself to shield Ste.


    The impact sent their car spinning through the air, flipping over several times before mming down onto its roof.


    Ste''s car had been modified, its reinforced frame holding up better than most. Between that and Joshua''s skill behind the wheel, she escaped with nothing but a few scrapes and bruises.


    Joshua, however, was slumped in the driver''s seat, unconscious.


    Blood trickled down his arm where shards of ss had sliced through his white shirt, turning it crimson. Cuts marred his cheek and forehead, too.


    Ste tried to rouse him. "Joshua, Joshua, wake up! Please!"


    He didn''t stir.


    The sharp tang of gasoline and the acrid stench of burning rubber filled the air.


    A chill shot down Ste''s spine.


    The car could it catch fire?


    Fumbling with trembling fingers, she unbuckled her seatbelt and crawled out of the wreckage.


    Her worst fears were confirmed: fuel was leaking, and mes were already licking at the back of the car.


    It was on fire.


    Any second now, it could explode.


    Heart pounding, Ste rushed to Joshua''s side, yanked open his door, and reached for his seatbelt.


    But the crash had twisted the frame, jamming the buckle in ce.


    No matter how hard she pulled, she couldn''t free him.


    Smoke was thickening, heat building


    Sund them. Sweat beaded on s brow and trickle neo


    falling onto Joshua''s face. onto Joshua''s face,


    His longshes fluttered. Slowly, his eyes opened.


    Relief surged through Ste. “Joshua! You''re trapped-try to move, see if you can get free."


    He nced around, the haze in his eyes fading as he took in their predicament.


    "You need to get out," he rasped, his voice hoarse from the smoke. "Don''t worry about me."


    Ste scowled. "Don''t be ridiculous. You''re only hurt because of me—I''m not leaving you here."


    A wry smile flickered on Joshua''s lips. "The car''s about to blow. It''s too


    dan "The please, just go. Doet


    yourself."


    But Ste had no time for arguments.


    Frantic, she searched for something sharp to cut the belt. Her gazended on the shards of ss scattered at her feet.


    risk


    She grabbed thergest piece and began sawing away at the belt, her hands shaking so badly the ss bit into her fingers, staining it with her blood. Red drops slid down her patm, but she barely noticed.


    Sweat stung her eyes. Everything blurred, burned, and ached—but she never stopped.