Aligned: Volume 2 Read Online Free PDF

When I wouldn’t pay her, she went public with this story about how I was abusive. How I had cheated on her.”  
    “That lying fucking bit-” She looks up at me with embarrassment covering her burning cheeks. “How awful, I mean.”  
    I smirk. “But what she didn’t count on is that Drew had hired a private investigator to follow her. He had pictures of her cheating on me. She retracted her story, but the damage to my heart was already done. It completely shattered me. It took me a while to realize she was in it for the money. That’s all she wanted.”  
    “Well, you don’t have to worry about that with me. I have more money than I need,” she says, covering her mouth with her hands in horror as she insinuates that we could have more.  
    Desires spring to life inside me at her words, at even the possibility. “I’m not sure how I feel about the girl I’m seeing making as much money as me in a hypothetical way.”  
    “I think technically I’m worth more than you,” she teases.  
    I growl. “You’re worth a lot more than how much is in your bank account.”  
    Her legs start bouncing nervously as I continue driving. “All right, turn back. It’s my turn.”
    I turn back.  

CHAPTER FIVE
Alexa

    He stands up; I think he’s going to leave me alone, but he kicks me hard in the side.   I let out a gasp as I try to catch my breath. He kicks me over and over, continuously knocking the breath out of me. All I can feel is the pain.

    He pulls my car into my parking spot, and I jump out needing some air, some space. What in the hell am I doing? I’m supposed to be keeping my distance and getting over him, not getting closer to him. But I can’t help myself.  
    I watch as he reluctantly climbs out of my car. “My turn!” I say.  
    His lips curl downward. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You had your car modified so you could drive it. My car has no such modifications.”  
    “Nope, a deal is a deal. I let you drive mine, and now, it’s my turn to drive yours.”  
    He chuckles. “Man, you are dirty when you want to be.”  
    I laugh too. “Keys.”  
    He reaches into his pocket pulling out the keys to his Porsche. I grin, ready to feel the adrenaline and excitement of driving a fast car. The freedom it brings is like nothing else. We walk through the parking lot until we find his car. I climb in and watch Landon as he settles in the passenger seat next to me; I swear he’s sweating more, and if I look closely, his hands are trembling. I begin to remove my prosthetic leg so it won’t get in the way of the pedals. I try not to let Landon’s stares bother me as I take off my prosthetic leg and hand it to him, but I’m still not comfortable with my deformed body. He doesn’t seem bothered, though, as he places it next to his feet.  
    I adjust the seat and mirrors so I can see, feeling small in the large car. I test the foot pedals with my left leg; it will do. I look over at Landon. “You ready for this?”  
    He closes his eyes, gripping the armrests tightly and bracing himself. “Yes.”  
    I put the car in drive and zip out of the parking garage, making the tires squeal as I do. I glance over at Landon and see the panic rising in his eyes; it brings me joy to see the cool, confident bad boy in such a panicked state.  
    “Slow down,” he says. Instead, I speed up as we zoom down the highway. I roll my window down to let the wind blow on my face, feeling the fresh, salty air and feeling alive.  
    “Silvia drives really well.” I look over at Landon still stuck to his seat, his eyes only peeking open slightly.  
    “Silvia is about to have a heart attack. Keep your eyes on the road.”  
    I laugh and turn my attention back to the road. I love driving this car, but as I drive, my thoughts go back to Landon. After I drop him back off, what are we going to do? Are we going to go back to ignoring each other? Are we going to try being friends? I can’t handle more … can