Chapter 1
Headlights.
Oh, shit.I stood frozen in the narrow street for what felt like forever. And yet, it was barely a split second. I knew this, because even in my addled state, I wasn't so stupid that I'd just stand around, waiting to be flattened like a pancake in a party dress.
And yet, here I was.
Tires squealed. Someone screamed. The vehicle swerved, missing me, but just barely – passing so close that it ruffled the fabric of my overpriced outfit.
A pounding heartbeat later, the sound of metal hitting metal echoed in the night. I whirled to look.
Oh, no.
I cringed, even as I tried to catch my breath. In the flickering streetlights, I saw an exotic sports car smashed up against a white delivery van – one of three that were parked along the opposite curb of the desolate city street.
The sports car's engine was still running, even if the car itself was now motionless. Its headlights were still on, illuminating the pavement ahead. From somewhere behind the car's dark tinted windows, its stereo was still playing, heavy metal if I wasn't mistaken.
The side facing me – the driver's side – looked absolutely pristine, with no damage whatsoever. But the other side? The side Icouldn’tsee? Well, I didn't even want to think about it.
With my heart in my throat, I plunged forward, desperate to make sure they were okay.
I'd gotten barely two steps when a hand clamped onto my elbow. I felt a yank and turned to look. My mother was yelling again. "For God's sake, Cassidy, get back in the limo!"
If I weren't so worried, I might've laughed in her face.Dream on, psycho.
But Ididn'tlaugh, and I didn't say what I was thinking. Worry aside, this was the woman who'd given me life twenty-two years ago. Unfortunately, this wasalsothe woman who'd just suggested a three-way with her latest sugar-daddy.
I shuddered with revulsion, even as she gave my elbow another yank. "Come on!" she urged, as if oblivious to the accident.
But even my mother couldn't bethatclueless. We'd caused that collision, plain and simple. And besides, wasn't it against the law to leave the scene of a crash?
I dug in my heels and refused to budge. "No."
My mother was petite and brunette, with stunning cheekbones and full, pouty lips. She looked barely thirty, even if she'd be forty-four next July.
She was dressed to kill in a burgundy chiffon cocktail dress and silver stiletto heels. The dress was stylish and expensive with a short, flared skirt and a neckline that plunged halfway to her navel. She looked good, fabulous actually. But then again, she always did, even now, when she was giving me that look – the one shealwaysgave just before she popped.
But so what? She could pop all she wanted. There was no way on Earth I'd be getting back inside that limo – and not only because of the accident.
After all, I'd fled that thing for a reason.
"Forget it," I told her. "I'm not going anywhere."
Yes, it was a stupid thing to say. After all, I had to gosomewhere. We weren't in the best part of town, and in my current outfit, I wouldn't exactly blend. Hell, I'd probably be robbed – or worse – within five minutes, ten tops.
The sad thing was, I had nothing worth stealing, even if my appearance suggested otherwise.
Still, I stiffened my spine and waited for the fireworks.
But for once, my momdidn'tpop. Instead, she took a deep, calming breath and summoned up a fake smile. "Oh, come on," she said, "be reasonable."
I gave her a hard look. "Why?"
"Because Dominic's waiting."
Un-freaking-believable.My fingers clenched, and I fought a sudden urge to slap her. "Fuck Dominic."
My mother gasped. "What did you say?"
