I Took Back the Wheel

Chapter 2 Friction Point

I tried to pull my leg away. Jaxon tightened his grip before letting go, and the print of his palm stayed hot on my skin. "Drive."

Sweat slicked my palms, and the steering wheel shook with them. I could remember every motion until I tried to make it. I pressed the clutch, shifted into first, and eased onto the gas.

The car lurched forward and died.

A groan rose from the viewing box, followed by laughter. One voice carried through my helmet. “Looks like Ashford’s trophy can’t handle a real machine!”

My face burned. I tried again. The engine screamed, the tires squealed, and the car spun through half a circle before it stalled. Jaxon sat with his arms folded and let the silence do the work.

I fought the harness clips until they opened, shoved the door out, and crossed the asphalt in stiff racing boots. Arthur waited in the glass box, still wearing that smile.

His smile slipped when I came through the door. “Did you see that?” My voice shook. “Did you hear them? You put me in this position!”

He raised one hand, concern settling neatly over his face. “Willa, darling, this is part of the process. You have to break down before you can build back up.”

“He touched me, Arthur! He’s intentionally cornering me, and you’re watching!”

Arthur stopped smiling. He held my gaze while he took out his phone, tapped the screen, and switched to speaker.

“Jaxon.”

“Ashford,” Jaxon answered.

“She’s having trouble. She’s too afraid of being pushed. I’m paying you for results, not coddling. Use whatever it takes to break her fear. Am I clear?”

Jaxon left him waiting for several seconds.

“Crystal,” Jaxon finally said, and the line went dead.

*Whatever it takes.* Arthur had turned permission into an order. He watched my face while he did it.

I walked back to the car without answering. Fear still cramped my stomach. Anger got my feet across the asphalt.

I slid back into the seat. Jaxon watched me more closely now. He had heard the order too.

He stayed outside the car. He opened my door, leaned in behind me, and pressed me into the seat. His arms closed around mine; his chest was hot against my back. Then his hands covered mine on the wheel.

“Your husband wants results.” His breath touched my ear. “He wants you broken. So let’s find the breaking point.” His grip tightened and forced my hands around the wheel. “The friction point. It’s where the power catches. You spin out, or you learn to fly.”

Jaxon held me against the seat while Arthur watched from above. I had spent years swallowing every objection before it reached my mouth. I was done swallowing this one.

I wanted the wheel. I wanted the car moving fast enough to tear me out of the life Arthur had arranged.