“If you try and dump me at Timothy’s, I’ll bust you.”
“The bridge is the only way up there, Adam,” Green Man said. He shifted the truck’s gears noisily. “Chill.”
Adam kept his hand on the door handle, ready to make a dive, should he need to. The truck rattled along its rusty frame.
“I’m not gonna rat you out,” Green Man assured him with a lazy grin. “My little green patch in the woods needs a pair of extra hands, like I said. Besides, Timothy probably doesn’t want you any more than I do.”
“Gee, thanks.” Trees flew by, a steady stream of light and dark. He hadn’t told Green Man details of what went down at the hospital, just that he was out. But if Timothy got wind of where he was, he’d be screwed. He knew his brother would turn him in in a heartbeat. Something bright orange caught Adam’s eye and immediately brought his attention into focus. “Stop the truck.”
“What?”
“Stop the truck!” Adam unbuckled his seatbelt.
After a few choice words, Green Man pulled the truck over.
Adam jumped out and backtracked along the highway. He continued about fifty yards before he caught sight of the orange car again. He scrambled down the embankment.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Green Man slid down the embankment after him. “You lost your marbles?”
The squat-backed Gremlin lay askew in a thicket of trees, its front end connecting with one. The car stood out like a bright orange beacon. Its windows were smashed out, giving Adam an unobstructed view of the driver’s seat. A flash of red hair made his heart lurch. “Moira!” He skidded up to the door.
Passed out in the driver’s seat, a bloody gash marred her forehead. Her skin was pale.
“Shit.” Adam struggled with the door and wrenched it open. Kneeling beside her, he stroked her cheek gently. “Moira? Wake up. Please.”
Moira opened her eyes. Bloodshot, the light blue stood out in contrast. Recognition set in. “Adam? Am I dead?”
“No, are you supposed to be?” Adam said shakily. He unbuckled her seatbelt. “Can you move your head?”
She turned her head to one side and winced. “Yes.”
“How about your feet?”
“If you’re calling an ambulance, you’re on your own,” Green Man said from behind him.
Adam sized up Moira’s condition. Maybe I do need to call an ambulance, he thought grimly. I’d probably have to turn myself in. He weighed his options. “Come on. I got you.” He eased her from the car onto the forest floor. “Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“I don’t think so.” Moira winced and brought her arm close to her body. “I think I sprained my wrist.”
Adam looked up. “Help me get her back to your place.”
“What?” Green Man balked. “You’re fucking off your rocker.”
“I’ll owe you,” Adam said. “I’ll owe you big, okay? Anything you want.”
His cousin gave him an incredulous look. “Blood’s not thicker than water, you know. Not with me.”
“I got it,” Adam snapped.
“You’re officially in my debt, Adam Blackwood. More than before.”
“I got it, alright?” He scooped Moira up in his arms.
“Suit yourself, lover boy.” Green Man shrugged. “I’ll grab her stuff.”