Psycho Boys (The Killer Kids Thrillogy #2)

1. Where we left off

ONE

WHERE WE LEFT OFF

ARTIST IN THE AMBULANCE: THRICE

CRASHING

CALISTA

T he familiar glow of bright neon lights flickers enticingly in the near distance, their comfort mixing with the invigorating vibrations rumbling beneath us, awakening every one of my senses and temporarily burying the chaos of tonight's events to the deepest, darkest place in my truly fucked-up mind.

The guys, still visibly shaken from what just transpired with their fathers, sit in silence, their thoughts racing with questions and concerns that threaten to consume them completely. Yet, through it all, we're alive, more determined than ever to keep up the fight for our freedom—a determination that tonight has only strengthened.

I gently nudge Ash's shoulder, drawing his focus to me as he turns with a small, tentative smile. His hand roams to my upper thigh, while his fingers dance delicately across my exposed skin, and I try inching closer to him in a subtle attempt to comfort him.

"Just smile; we’re here now," I say, leaning in to kiss his cheek, coaxing a breathy moan from his bloody, battered lips. "Let’s set all that other bullshit aside for now and just try to enjoy the race."

He sighs heavily, painfully almost. "I’m trying, Cali," he replies, glancing at Dom and Kill for some reassurance.

"How are you holding up, guys?" I lean forward, resting my elbows on the center console as I gauge their expressions.

"I’m fucking pissed, and not to mention, my fucking entire body is sore as fucking hell," Kill admits, still grappling with the weight of the night’s unexpected events.

"Same here," Dom agrees, maneuvering the car into an empty spot behind a line of vehicles participating in the race. "But, fuck, I’m ready as shit to race. We all need this." He turns in his seat, concern etched on his face as he looks at Ash, then back at Kill, sitting beside him in the passenger seat.

"Nah, I’m sitting this one out," Kill declares, his disheveled appearance reflecting his mood, a distant flicker in his dark, tired eyes.

"I’ll join you. I can’t fucking focus on racing right now, even though I’ve been looking forward to it," Ash mumbles, fighting back disappointment, turning to glance out his window.

"Then I’ll ride with you, Dom." I wink, reaching for the door handle, eager to get out and explore this new and exciting territory.

His grin widens as he gives me a knowing look, swinging open his driver’s door. A gust of cold air rushes in, rattling the car as we step out into the rambunctious crowd filled with pulsating music that reverberates through the streets, mixing with the overwhelming scents of exhaust, marijuana, and gasoline that hang heavy in the night air.

We stroll down the street, taking in the vibrant sights and sounds, making sure to stay close to one another. As I scan the crowd, I spot Five lounging on the hood of his car, laughing and seemingly carefree, and a pang of jealousy tugs at me—I wish I could know what it's like to be carefree.

"I'm going to talk to Five and fill him in," I tell the guys, glancing at our surroundings. "Why don’t the three of you go freshen up? That bar over there seems to be open."

They nod, drifting into the sea of eager bodies awaiting the start of the tournament. Once they’re out of sight, I spin on my heel and anxiously head towards Five.

He catches sight of me almost instantly, his broad smile lighting up his face as he opens his arms for a hug. I embrace him tightly, taking a moment to breathe, letting my tension melt away just for the moment.

"I didn’t know you were coming tonight," he says, peering curiously behind me and surveying the street for the guys.

I return his smile, sitting close to him, drawn by his addictive warmth in the cool air. "Yeah, it was a last-minute decision. But there’s been a change in plans with the drivers," I explain. "Only Dom has his car, so it'll just be me and him."

His interest piques, and he raises his brow to match his smirk, both tugging upward. "Are Kill and Ash here too?"

I nod, accepting the blunt he offers as he passes it to me. "Yeah, they’re here, just not in a racing mood. They’ll be watching instead."

"Sounds good to me. Where did Dom park? I need to put his tag on," he says, already eager to spring into action.

I point down the street to the far end, where I can make out the matte black Mustang beneath a flickering streetlight. He nods in approval before sliding off the hood and standing upright. The way he turns to face me, grinning with a mischievous glint in his eyes, sends a shiver down my spine, as if he wants to devour me whole.

But I resist the overwhelming temptation, intending to keep my promise to the guys... even though Five is fucking irresistible, and it's absolute fucking torture to keep my hands to myself.

But I do, because if I've learned anything during the time I've been back with my best friends, it's that there's no doubt in my crazy mind that I am fucking madly in love with all three of them.

I need them more than I had thought, more than I ever anticipated. They keep me grounded. They keep me sane. They continuously shower me with love and affection, making me feel like I'm the only girl in the world. And most importantly, they keep the voices in my head at bay—even Addy—and they've shown me what it's truly like to be free.

As long as time will allow it, I'll stay by their sides. I'm theirs, and they are mine, and together, we are fucking unstoppable.

"Are you racing tonight?" I ask, glancing around in hopes of spotting the guys.

"Nah, I'll be here with the majority of these fuckers streaming the race on my phone," he laughs, graciously helping me off the shiny hood of his car. "Ah, there they are," he says, raising his hand in the air, waving the guys over.

"Well, I'll be riding with Dom, and I can't wait. But I need you to do me a favor," I tell him, feeling slightly worried about Ash and Kill.

"Sure, Little Mystery... anything." He smirks, a flirtatious gleam swirling in his eyes.

"I need you to keep an eye on Killian and Ash for me," I sigh, speaking in a whisper. "A lot happened earlier, and I just want to make sure they're okay."

As they get closer, Five notices their appearances—the cuts all over their faces, their bloody, busted lips, and of course their swollen, black eyes—and his jaw drops slightly, a look of shock etched onto his face.

"What the fuck happened?"

Quickly, I try to think of something to tell him, not wanting the truth about their fathers to be broadcast. "They got jumped by like four guys, I think they said."

The guys walk up to us before anything else can be said, and I'm fucking grateful, not wanting to talk about it anymore.

"Man, you three are looking rough," he states sympathetically. "Are you sure you're alright to race, Dom?"

Dom nods, finally allowing a smile to grace his lips. "Yeah, I'm good. I need this, Five."

"And you two are sitting it out, is that right?" Five looks between Killian and Ash, worried but keeping my secret.

"Yeah, I can't fucking see out of my eyes," Kill admits, hanging his head.

Ash just nods, clearly not in the talking mood, but subtly sneaking glances at me every chance he gets.

"No worries, man. I'm not racing either, so I'll be here if y’all need anything." He offers them a smile before turning to Dom, his grin widening. "Alright, if you'll excuse me," he murmurs, taking some paper out of his back pocket and waving it in the air. "I've gotta go put your tag on your car since the sprint is about to start."

Five walks off, leaving the four of us huddled in a close circle, embracing the cold and relishing the time we have alone. The frigid air wraps around us like a thick fog, magnifying the electric energy of the crowd, but I find solace in the warmth of the guys' presence. I glance over at Dom, who’s rubbing the back of his neck, his eyes scanning the street anxiously, clearly itching to get behind the wheel.

"What the fuck are we even doing here?" Ash finally speaks up, his voice low and laced with frustration. "We just went through hell tonight, and now we’re supposed to cheer for a race? It feels wrong."

Kill nods in agreement, his features tight with concern. "It's all a bit surreal, you know? Like we’re just fucking pretending everything’s fine."

I take in their expressions, weighing their words. Maybe this place isn’t the escape I thought it would be.

"It’s okay to feel that way," I murmur, reaching out to rest my hand over Ash's. "We're still feeling the aftermath of everything that happened. Tonight, maybe we just need to find a moment where we can breathe."

"And where I can fucking breathe is behind the wheel of my car, doing what I love and do best," Dom chimes in, sounding positive. "For me, racing is my therapy, and it's the only thing that I knew would make me forget about tonight... for now, anyway."

Ash’s gaze softens as he meets my eyes, the tension in his shoulders relaxing slightly. "I just want to know we’re safe. It’s hard to shake off the fear when it’s so fresh."

"You will be," I reassure, squeezing his hand. "You’re all going to be safe."

Dom catches my eye with a grateful yet strained smile, and just then, a loud cheer erupts from the crowd, signaling the beginning of the race. My heart thunders in tune with the rumbling engines roaring to life, and I can’t help but take a step closer to the center of the dead end street, drawn in by the thrill.

"Are you ready, Dom?" I ask, watching him closely as Five walks back over to us.

"More than ever," he replies, his resolve hardening. He shifts on the balls of his feet, the anticipation etched in every line of his body. "I’ll win this for us—all of us—to give us something good to hold onto."

My heart swells at his determination, a light barely starting to fight through the shadows. I give him a soft nod, trusting in his ability to channel the chaos into something worthwhile.

"Alright, your tag is on and you're officially a driver, so it's go time, Dom," Five says excitedly, rubbing his hands together.

The sound of the engines creates a symphony of raw power that reverberates through my chest. I can feel the adrenaline pulsing in the air—intoxicating, liberating. In spite of everything weighing us down, the spirit of the night stirs a sense of hope within me.

“Let’s get going," I squeal, making sure to give the guys a hug and kiss before Dom and I head for his car.

We weave in and out of the crowd, laughter and shouts echoing around us, filling me with an infectious sense of freedom. As soon as we're in Dom's car and he starts the engine, listening to it purr beneath the hood, I reach over and grab his hand, anxious but ready to speed off into the night and leave our worries behind.

"Lets win this shit, Dom."

"Anything for you, Calista... anything for you." He smiles sweetly, bringing my hand to his mouth, kissing my knuckles.

And then we're off, flying through the dark streets with hundreds of cars around us.

The rush of the wind whips past us, the roar of the engines drowning out the chaos that once filled my mind. Each turn ignites a new wave of exhilaration, a sensation I’ve craved. Dom grips the wheel tightly, his focus unwavering as we hurtle forward, the neon lights blurring into streaks of color that dance in the dark. I glance over at him, my heart racing, not just from the speed but from the intoxication of being alive—of being here, right now, with him.

“You’ve got this, Dom! Just remember to breathe!” I shout over the roar of the engine.

“Always do,” he replies, eyes glimmering with fire and determination.

We weave through the maze of cars, feeling the vibrations reverberate through our bodies as we chase the high from this dangerous game. As we reach the outskirts of the crowd, I can see others striving for the same rush—a brotherhood of speedsters united by the thrill of outpacing one another through the night.

But there’s a flicker of concern nagging at me as I steal glances in the rearview mirror, searching for Ash and Kill, making sure they’re safe in the midst of the noise. I steal a moment to appreciate how their presence grounds me, fortifying me against the anxiety that threatens to surge again.

“Focus on the road, Calista,” Dom says, his voice steady but teasing. “I need you with me; no distractions.”

He flashes a grin, a clever spark in his eye that reminds me just how much he loves the adrenaline of the race—the momentary escape from everything weighing us down.

I bite my lip, enthralled by the way his entire being lights up. This is his moment, and I refuse to let anything—especially my fears—cloud it.

“Okay, okay, I’m here,” I affirm, replacing the worry with all the pride I can muster.

The long stretch begins, our tires squealing with the high-pitched screech of rubber meeting pavement as we take the narrow on ramp, accelerating onto the highway. Dom maneuvers expertly, edging ahead as we fight for first against our competitors.

As I think about Dom, my stomach knots with anticipation, the thrill of the danger intertwining with the exhilaration coursing through us. But tonight, in this race, we are united— we stand together against whatever darkness looms over us. My heartbeat slows for a brief second as I think of Kill and Ash, both braving their own battles in a different way tonight.

"Dom, I'm worried about the others," I admit, feeling a sinking notion in my stomach, a sense of unease.

His gaze flicks over to me, determination solidifying his features. “I know, Cali, but this is our moment. We have to seize it, even in the chaos. We can’t let fear control us any longer.”

I nod, swallowing the knot in my throat. He’s right. I lean back, trying to relax and allow myself to get lost in the rhythm of the race. My hands grip the edge of the seat as we lurch forward, every turn pushing us closer to the cutthroat thrill of the front of the line.

Dom leans into a sharp curve, the car roaring like a beast beneath us. I can feel the shift in momentum with every turn; he knows how to play this game. His confidence is infectious, giving me a sense of stability. I let out a celebratory cheer as we gain speed, the sounds of distant roars filling the air as we inch closer.

Suddenly, everything shifts. A car jostles between us, cutting too close, too fast. The world blurs; I hear Dom shout something I can’t quite grasp over the blaring horns and the sound of metallic dreams colliding. My grip tightens instinctively, and for a moment, chaos reigns—the world spinning, my life beginning to flash before my eyes as I desperately reach out for Dom.

He pushes the accelerator down harder, sending us racing forward, trying to escape the impact, and there’s no ignoring the anxiety creeping back in. The smell of gasoline wafts heavily throughout the car, making me gag, and I watch Dom scrunch his face in confusion.

"What the fuck is th-"

He doesn't get to finish. Everything happens so fast, and before I know it, we're slammed into the force of the impact, sending us spinning like a dreidel into the pitch black. I reach out to hold onto him, my eyes squeezed tightly shut, the car still spinning into the unknown.

Another hit from a different side sends the car into thin air, flipping dangerously down the wrong way on the highway, throwing us around like ragdolls inside. Glass shatters all around us. The sound of scraping metal piercing my ears. The smell of gas grows even stronger, making me fear what's going to come next.

Drifting in and out of consciousness, my head smacks into the dash and the crushed door, pulling me away from reality. I reach for Dom, trying to feel for him, but as the car continues to flip, slightly slowing down, I feel myself start to lose my grip on reality.

As the mangled car finally comes to a stop, it's final collision being into a guardrail, everything around me is eerily silent, and I can feel myself slowly slipping away. I lie here helpless, waiting for the sound of sirens to signal that help is on the way. But they don't come. Instead, I hear the faint slam of a car door and heavy footsteps approaching in the distance.

I try to scream for help, but nothing comes out.

I try to move my arms and legs, even my body, but I can't get anything to move, and I begin to freak out, especially when I still see no sight of Dom.

The footsteps get louder, closer, and I think I'm about to be saved. A dark figure stands over me, watching me, but it's too dark to see who it is. They crouch down, peering into the badly mangled car, brushing a strand of bloodsoaked hair out of my face.

I feel dizzy and sick to my stomach from the immense pain all throughout my body. I try to reach up again to make contact with the figure, but I can't move, and as they speak, their chilling voice has me frozen in fear as darkness begins to consume me.

"Stupid, move," the man says, an oddly familiar voice, even through my random blackouts. "You thought you could walk away so easily?" I cringe from his evil laughter, feeling like I'm going to pass out. "You'll never be able to walk away from me, Calista, I fucking promise you."

Finally, the sound of sirens blares in the distance, and my hope grows instantly. But it fades just as quickly when my vision and my mind begin slipping, slowly fading to black.

"Let's get you out of here, shall we?" He says in a flat tone, but I can't make out everything he's saying.

Somehow managing to get me out of the car, I'm dumped onto the cold pavement and dragged across what I assume is a street, far away from any help who might be on their way.

As I'm thrown into the trunk of the car, he looks down at me once more, shaking his head. "You're a stupid little girl; did you know that?"

As soon as the words leave his lips, the trunk slams shut, and the car immediately jerks forward, speeding away. And as I try to make sense of everything, suddenly, without any warning, everything around me fades to black, and I can feel myself slipping further and further away.