Zina's POV
The car sped down the empty road, its headlights cutting through the darkness. My heart pounded with every bump in the asphalt, the weight of Asher's tiny body pressed against me the only thing grounding me. His face was buried in my chest, his little fingers curled tightly into my shirt, as if letting go would send him spiraling back into the nightmare we had just escaped.
I smoothed my hand over his messy curls, whispering, "It's okay, baby. Mommy's here. You're safe now."
But even as I said it, the words felt hollow. Were we really safe?
I clenched my jaw and blinked back the tears stinging my eyes. The image of Trina's lifeless body flashed through my mind again, the pool of dark red beneath her like a stain that would never wash away. And then there was Xaden—his cruel smirk, the way he had held that knife to Asher's throat like he meant nothing.
Like I meant nothing.
A shudder ran through me.
