Falling Apart (GANG Series)

Chapter 35

Aria's POV

      I go into a turning lane and drive to the left. I speed up as much as I can. I think about going into this store center but just pass the entrance. I keep making random turns hoping I'll lose him. My eyes check all my mirrors every five seconds. I almost let myself breathe until I spot him again on my right hand side. I am praying that Jacob noticed I disappeared.

I huff in frustration as I am forced to stop at an intersection. Rick is only a couple cars behind me. I need to decide where I'm gonna go as soon as this lights turn green. I try to find a focus point so I steady my breathing and loosen up my hands when I see how white my knuckles are. I get startled by the vibration of my phone resting right below my radio. I answer the phone and put it on speaker.

"You take a detour or something?"

"Rick is following me." I just get it out."I don't know what to do."

"Aria, listen to me, you're gonna be fine, alright? Try your best not to panic. I know that's hard baby but I need you to really try. You're in your car, safe from him. Look at your surroundings and tell me where you're at."

I can hear him speeding up by the sound of his engine.

"I don't know. I just turned down the street we were last stopped at and then turned left at the next light. I passed a small shopping center with a salon, a grocery store, and I think a pizza place. I don't know." I breathe.

"Okay, I'm coming. You're doing good. Can you see him anymore?" His confidence soothes me.

I look at my rearview. "Yeah, a couple cars behind."

"Okay, go back to the shopping center, I'll be there in less than a minute. Just circle the parking lot until I get there."

"Okay," I decide to drive a route in the shape of a square to get back to the little shopping center. "Don't hang up though."

"Wasn't going to." He pushes more on the pedal and I'm pretty sure he's exceeding the speed limit. "Just a little more."

I get more freaked out when I notice Rick right on my tail when I enter the lot. I drive around until I see the black 1970s Camaro roaring into the parking lot.

"Aria,"

"Yeah?" I swallow my fear.

"Go park somewhere. I'll pull up in front of you."

I'm reluctant because Rick is closer to me then he is but do so anyway. He knows I saw him. I pull into a space right in front of a party supply shop. My breaths are shaky as I unbuckle my seat to look behind me. Just as he said, Jacob blocks my car. Rick parking right across from me. No subtlety anymore. That's what scares me. They've grown so impatient, that they'll attack in broad daylight where families are going in and out of grocery stores. I flinch a little when Jacob knocks on my window. I unlock only my door and push it open. I slowly get out.

"Are you okay?" He brushes my hair out of my face.

"Yeah." I nod. We look over to where Rick is out of his car, leaning against it and staring at us.

"Here," Jacob puts his car keys into my hands. "Go to the penthouse. I'll talk to him." I don't miss the emphasis on talk.

"Seriously?" I don't want to leave.

"Yes, seriously."

"What if he's not alone?" I worry.

"More reason for you to go."

"J-" I'm interrupted by footsteps on the gravel of the cut up asphalt. Rick is now only six feet away.

Jacob's expression completely hardens. He looks like the unfriendliest person in the world. He brings out his arm in front of me and slowly moves to shield my body.