#1 | The Aftermath - Phantom Rider Series

#24 | Collision of Hearts

Mila's POV

Two weeks flew by. I felt much better already - physically, at least. Emotionally, every passing day made it worse. Every day spent in bed meant getting closer to Bill's death. There wasn't a question of if he dies - the question was when. And my biggest question was. "Why?"

Why does he have to die? Was it Matt's whining to my father that made him decide to eliminate him? Was it something else I don't know about? Or was it as simple as - he wanted it for no reason at all? The last one is the worst thought, killing him for nothing. Living, fighting, and then vanishing from the earth, leaving nothing behind.

Bill's POV

I gave her space. Didn't disturb her, didn't ask questions. Didn't visit her. I knew she was strong and knew how to take care of herself. She never called me, so I assumed she wanted to be alone while healing. Also, I was scared. But I won't admit it to anyone.

I turned Tokyo upside down. I was really busy tracking that lowlife man, but he vanished like he'd never existed. No one knew where he was. He was hiding, and he should hide because that bottle he used - it will teach him to love anal sex, and he will never touch any woman again after that. And this is me being still polite and respectful with him.

Today was race day. It had me on edge. There was no one worthy to fight anymore. I knew she would not be there, nor would the Phantom Rider. Nor would Tom. It would be just me against these shallow, unimportant people. Why do I even do this?

Laura called me every day, crying on the phone. She couldn't understand why I ghosted her so suddenly. She was clingy and got on my nerves. She couldn't understand the word - no. I was not able to spend time with any woman who wasn't Mila. They made me sick.

I snorted coke, as I usually did before a race. It made me feel more confident. I waited at the starting line but felt like there was no use in riding. For the first time ever, I arrived as I am - no makeup, no fancy clothes. I didn't give a fuck about leaving an impression on these peasants anymore. I wanted to finish the race and go home. The crowd was different this time. Maybe it was just me feeling naked without my usual attire, but the crowd really felt more dangerous, darker than usual. There was this vibration of energy - not welcoming.

Ready... set..."

Silence.

A dark purple Bugatti Veyron slowly pulled next to me. My hands started shaking.

"Ready! Set! Go!"

I pushed the pedal a second too late. The purple car shot like a bullet in front of me. I won't let you go! I sped up to catch her.

Her.

Realization hit me - my girl was the best racer in town. Just like my brother was. I do choose similar people to love, don't I?

"My girl... fuck it! Who am I lying to anymore?" I held the wheel tighter and concentrated on the road, catching up to her, almost riding next to her car.

Mila's POV

Bringing Phantom Rider back into the game was part of my plan. I hoped I would be able to push Bill out of the scene, lower his influence over drug cartels and desperate fans. Winning him again would show people that he is not the leader they are looking for. Two weeks might not be enough, so I sent people to race, to attack him. They were instructed to not kill any of his men or him but to force an open fire for people to see the show and get scared for their lives being connected to him.

Two weeks is not enough, but that was all I could think of. I stopped next to his car, and I felt him. I almost heard his thoughts. He hesitated, so I sped off as fast as I could, taking advantage of the moment. He was an insanely good racer, better than me, but he lacked confidence. It felt as if he's used to always being second. But this time, he caught me too soon. His car was right next to me, not behind me.

It started raining, which made the race harder. Raindrops hitting the windshield and the road getting slippery slowed me down a little bit. He kept riding in close touch with my car.

"Shit, shit, shit... he will win!" I got nervous. "Not today, honey!"

Bill's POV

Rain turned the track into a slick of water and oil, making me lose speed. The purple Bugatti went ahead, but I held close by. My heart raced faster than the car as I kept pace. Suddenly, her car skidded, the tires losing grip. I saw her struggle to control it, and for a moment, fear stabbed through me. Not because she might win, but because I might lose her.

"Mila!" I shouted, though she couldn't hear me. My own car slipped, the rear fishtailing. I fought the wheel, trying to keep steady, but the rain made it almost impossible to see.

We collided.

The impact was brutal, metal grinding against metal. Both cars spun out of control, slamming into the barriers on either side of the track. The world became a blur of noise and pain.

Mila's POV

The crash was violent, the force throwing me forward, the seatbelt slicing into my skin. The world spun out of control, and then it stopped. Silence. Pain. The smell of burnt rubber and gasoline.

Through the haze, I saw him. His car was crumpled, steam rising from the hood. I wrenched my door open, stumbling out into the rain. My legs felt like jelly, but I forced myself to move, to get to him.

Bill's POV

The pain was sharp, but my fear was sharper. I struggled to open the door, my hands shaking. Then I saw her, through the rain and the wreckage, crawling out of her car. She wore my jacket, her hands covered with blood, her face full of fear. I pushed my door open and, while my own body hurt insanely, I ran to her. She got up and also ran. Gosh, how strong that woman is.

I caught her halfway in my arms, as she collapsed on me. I was so afraid for her, I desperately checked her, looking for injuries on her body.

"Bill, you're bleeding," she looked at me, and I realized she'd been as desperate as me, looking for my injuries.

"It's okay, baby. It's okay." I held her tightly, the rain pouring down on us, washing away the blood and the world around us.

Mila's POV

I clung to him, feeling his warmth through the cold rain. "I got scared," I whispered.

"Losing you..." he whispered, snuggling his head in my neck.

"I thought I..." I tried to melt into his chest as close as I could.

"I won't ever let you go," he looked at me, rain falling over his eyes, but maybe those were tears. I couldn't tell.

"Mila, I love you!" he sent those words through my eyes right into my soul. It hit me like a lightning strike.

"I love you too!" I crushed my lips against his.

Bill's POV

Her words were a lifeline, pulling me from the depths of fear. I kissed her, fiercely, desperately, needing her to know how much she meant to me. The rain poured around us, but in that moment, nothing else mattered.

"I love you," I repeated, my voice breaking. "I love you so much. I can't live without you."

"I will die for you!" she looked at me completely serious. "I love you, Bill!"