Chapter 56 HELLUVA REQUEST
MERRIELYNN.
"That's... a whole fucking lot."
Emories expression was winded.
And it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it'd been like that for the last five minutes.
I spilled everything. The kidnapping, the blackmail. The pool incident, Cormac taking me home, the panic attacks, the nightmares getting worse, and every single moment that had left me questioning everything about Cormac. I told her how Cormac was more than just the person everyone at Pinnthorpe feared—and how confusing that was.
And… the recent marking.
I sighed, rubbing my forehead. “Yeah. Em, I feel like I’m losing it.”
“You’re not losing it,” she said firmly.
I let out a weak laugh. “You think so?”
“I know so,” she said, her confidence steady. “And you know what? We’re not sitting around tonight while you stew in this. Get dressed—I’m taking you out.”
I frowned. “Out? Where?”
“To the student car races,” Emorie said, her tone already daring me to argue. “It’ll be fun. Trust me, Mere, you need this.”
I wasn’t convinced. “A car race?”
“It’s not just racing. It’s more like a party,” she said quickly. “You’ll love it. Besides, it’s all anyone’s been talking about this week. It’ll be good for you to focus on something else for a while. Things in reality for you are more than anyone can handle.”
Against my better judgment, I found myself standing beside Emorie later that night, staring at the chaotic scene in front of us. She wasn’t kidding about it being a party.
The air was thick with the smell of burning rubber and gasoline.
Music blasted from parked cars with their doors wide open, and students crowded around, laughing, drinking, and cheering. There were no staff or teachers in sight, and the atmosphere felt wild, almost lawless.
“This is insane,” I muttered, my eyes darting around.
Emorie grinned, clearly in her element. “This is freedom,” she corrected. “Come on, let’s get closer.”
I followed her through the crowd, doing my best to stay out of anyone’s way. I could see the cars lined up in a makeshift starting area. Students swarmed around them, taking bets and shouting out opinions on who would win.
Emorie nudged me and pointed. “Look at that one. Recognize it?”
I squinted, and my stomach sank a little when I saw the sleek, black sports car she was pointing at. The car looked expensive, almost too perfect, and I immediately knew why—it was Cormac’s.
Of course he’d be here.
As if on cue, I spotted him standing near the car, leaning casually against it like he owned the world. His expression was calm, confident, the way it always was. He didn’t even glance at the crowd; his focus was on the race ahead.
Leather jacket zipped all the way to his collar.
Hiding his new mark perfectly.
Huh.
Emorie followed my gaze and smirked. “Cormac doesn’t lose. Ever.”
I nodded slowly, unsure of what to say.
A few minutes later, the race began. Cormac’s car roared to life, taking off down the straight road alongside his opponent. The crowd went wild, screaming and cheering as the cars sped off into the distance.
Emorie was right—Cormac was good. His car seemed to glide over the asphalt, its engine a perfect blend of power and so much controlled speed. But his opponent wasn’t backing down either. The two cars raced neck and neck, neither one gaining a clear advantage.
When they crossed the finish line, it was too close to call.
The crowd erupted in mixed reactions—cheers, groans, and laughter. Someone declared it a tie, and the referee, a cocky-looking guy with a megaphone, grinned.
“Well, that won’t do,” he said loudly. “We need a tiebreaker!”
The crowd leaned in, eager to hear what he had in mind.
“How about this,” the referee continued, egging on the roudy crowd. “You two let your women race for you. Let’s see if they’ve got what it takes!”
Laughter and cheers filled the air, and I felt my stomach twist.
Cormac’s opponent turned to a girl beside him, already grinning and giving her a playful shove toward the car. She laughed and rolled her eyes but didn’t hesitate to climb into the driver’s seat.
I turned my attention back to Cormac, curious to see who he’d pick. Juniper was already stepping forward, her excitement obvious.
But Cormac didn’t even glance at her.
Instead, he turned his head, his piercing eyes locking directly onto me.
My heart stopped.
No. No way.
Before I could process what was happening, he was walking toward me, his stride not waveringl. The crowd seemed to part for him as he made his way over, and when he stopped in front of me, I felt the weight of every single stare.
“Get in the car,” he said simply.
I blinked at him, stunned. “What?”
“You heard me,” he said, his tone firm. “Get in the car.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out.
Emorie stepped in, her voice full of disbelief. “Chaos, are you serious? Mere doesn’t even know how to drive a car like that!”
“I’ll guide her,” he said, not taking his eyes off me.
This had to be some kind of joke. Why would he pick me? Juniper was right there, practically bouncing with excitement, and I was… well, me.
“I’m not doing this,” I said, my voice shaky.
Cormac leaned in slightly, his voice dropping low enough that only I could hear. “I’m not asking, Merrielynn.”
The way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine.
There was no anger in his tone, no threat. Just an unshakable confidence, because he knew I’d do what he wanted.
I glanced at the car, at the crowd, at Juniper’s furious expression. My heart pounded in my chest.
I couldn’t say no.
When Cormac handed me his keys, I was still waiting for the ball to drop.
“What…?” I stared at the sleek silver key fob resting in my palm, then back at him.
“You’re driving,” he said.
I blinked. “Cormac, I don’t think you understand. I’ve never driven a car in my life. And you want me to—what? Win your race with this?” I gestured wildly to his car—the same one I had fucking damaged my first week here.
He crossed his arms, looking calm and unbothered. “Yes.”
“Are you insane?” My voice pitched higher than I wanted it to, but could anyone blame me?
Cormac didn’t flinch.
Instead, he stepped closer, his green eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch. “I need you to trust me, Merrielynn.”