“Yeah, his crew are real monsters. You’re on your own—you’ll get crushed.”

“You’re too young to throw your life away over pride.”

I was baffled.

He was the drunk driver, yet they expected me to run? Just because he was some mob boss, he could defy every law?

And what about the college girl in my back seat—the one he’d killed tonight? Was her life worthless?

My fists clenched until my knuckles popped.

“Calling in backup, huh?”

“Fine. But until you apologize to my passenger, I’m not going anywhere.”

Tony burst out laughing.

“Didn’t think I’d meet such a crazy bastard tonight. All right, I’ll show you exactly what the Morettis can do in the Midwest.”

I ignored him and slid back into my car.

My defiance earned me a grateful look from the spirit.

“My name is Emily Carter. Today was my twentieth birthday.”

No wonder her resentment burned so strong. It had been her birthday when she died.

I began to chant the calming incantation, trying to ease the spirit’s fury.

Tony Moretti, however, had grabbed a steel pipe and started smashing my car.

“You still putting on an act? I’ll smash your ride to pieces!”

Dozens of swings later, the only mark on my car was a faint scratch.

The scene should have unnerved him—but instead, he grew more frenzied.

He gunned his Phantom, ramming it straight into my driver’s side.

The impact spun my world. Even with spiritual protection, the door crumpled inward.

If I’d been in an ordinary sedan, I’d be crippled—if not dead.

I staggered out, testing my limbs. Just numbness in my leg—nothing fatal.

Tony stepped out grinning, gold teeth flashing, then lazily rolled down his window.

“You dare dent my car? I’ll run you down myself!”

My anger finally snapped. I charged at him with clenched fists—only to stumble and collapse before reaching him.

Pain seared my ankle. Blood seeped down. Must’ve been cut earlier.

The crowd of onlookers rushed to call an ambulance. But Vince leaned on the horn and roared:

“Anyone who helps him is crossing Tony Moretti. Think carefully!”

At once, the phones lowered. Silence.

Tony swaggered toward me.

“Where’s that tough guy act now, kid? Crawling on the ground already?”

I glared up at him through gritted teeth.

“You just tried to run me over, Tony. You really aren’t afraid of death, are you?”

He smirked.

“So what if I did? I’ll break your legs next—leave you crawling forever.”

I pointed at the traffic camera overhead.