Deadly Silence (Blood Brothers #1)(22)

How odd to have their positions reversed so completely.

Julie looked at the bruise on Zara’s face. “I can’t believe he dared to hit you.”

“He had nothing to lose.” Zara shrugged. “If I report him, I’ll have to admit that I’m assisting the opposition on a case taken by my firm. I’ll lose my entire career and never get to be a paralegal again. He knows that, which is why he hasn’t said anything, either.” The jerk thought he’d win, without doubt. She steeled her shoulders and glanced at her watch. “When is your examination with the shrink?”

“Tomorrow afternoon. All I want is half the community property and the jewelry my grandmother left me, which he won’t turn over.” Julie looked down at her shaking hands. “And to start over. Just to start over. Maybe with real love this time.”

“I agree. You have plenty of time,” Zara said.

A small smile brightened Julie’s face. “Sometimes the right guy is just around the corner in an unexpected place, right?”

Whoa. Zara shook her head. “You’re not actually interested in anybody, are you?” A rebound would be a huge mistake. She’d seen it happen with other clients, and Julie was so vulnerable right now. The woman needed to regain some strength and stand on her own for a while. Zara didn’t think Julie could take another painful experience.

Julie paused, and her smile slid away. “No, but there are good men out in the world, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, maybe I’ll find one.” Julie didn’t quite meet her eyes.

Zara’s instincts were piqued. “You haven’t found one already, have you?”

“No. But I would love to find a good guy. Jay and I made so many mistakes. Some of the things we did—”

Zara frowned. “Did? What do you mean?”

Julie looked up and tried to smile, but her lips seemed to tremble. “Nothing. We just tried some crazy things to keep our marriage fresh, and they were mistakes. Nothing you need to know about. Trust me.”

Eesh. It sounded sexual, and she so did not want to go there. Her poor friend, having to feel ashamed of her own marriage. There should be freedom and trust no matter what in a marriage. “I do trust you. Just think twice before starting to date so soon. Okay?”

“Okay.” Julie sighed. “I just want to be with somebody strong and good, you know? Someday.”

Zara leaned down and hugged her friend. “You will, I promise. Right now I have to get back to work. I’ll let you know what his discovery answers are.”

“Thank you.” Julie stood and returned the hug. “Be careful. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

Zara swallowed and nodded, slipping back outside. She had an idea of what Jay could do fading from her cheek right now. What a complete dick. She should let Ryker have a go at him, but that would screw up the case, and she couldn’t do that to Julie. Not right now, anyway. Plus, it was professionally unethical for Zara to even talk to Julie.

She kept her head down and made it back to her car, then quickly drove out of the dismal lot. The motel was located outside of town in the middle of a mountain pass, perfect for lost and exhausted drivers, and during the day, it was deserted. Good thing. She carefully pulled onto the main road, and her shoulders began to relax.

A country song crooned through the radio, and she began to sing along. The grade steepened, and she pressed on the brakes.

Nothing happened.

She frowned and pressed harder, the pedal finally reaching the floor.

The car sped up, careening down the hillside on its own. Her eyes widened, and her heart beat faster. Her breath panted out. She pressed on the brakes.

Nothing.

She tried to focus and not give in to the fear. The brake pedal was useless. Gingerly, she twisted the key in the ignition, and it wouldn’t release.

Her phone buzzed on the seat, and Ryker’s number came up. Ryker! Relief and hope hit her at once. Her knuckles turned white on the wheel, and she tried to hug the hillside. No cars were in front of her, but at some point, she’d be in trouble.

The car continued to accelerate. Panicking, she pumped the brakes several times, trying to get them to engage.

The phone buzzed again. She reached over and fumbled for the speaker. “Ryker? I’m in trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?” he asked, his voice steady.

“I’m coming down Thompson’s Hill, and my brakes aren’t working. I’ve pumped them several times and nothing.” Her voice rose on the last words as she instinctively waited for him to help her.

Quiet ticked by. “Is anybody in front of you?”

“Not yet.” God, what should she do?

“How’s the drop-off to your left?” His tone remained calm and focused.

She glanced to the side and tried to follow his lead. “Steep and full of trees.”

“Have you tried to free the key?”

“Yes.”

“Shove the car into park and then neutral really fast. Wait. Is your seat belt on?”

She nodded and then remembered he couldn’t see her. “Yes,” she said.

“Okay. Do it and prepare for a jolt.”

She sucked in air, grabbed the shifter, and shoved the car into park and then neutral. Something clanked, the engine trilled, and then the car went dead. She angled the steering wheel into the hill, and it rolled forward, hitting a large pile of rocks along the shoulder, stopping with a crash. “Oh God.” Her heartbeat echoed loudly in her ears.