Page 32

The day had come and gone—a weight lifting off my shoulders as I woke up this morning. I’d faced one of my biggest fears head-on, and it didn’t end in disaster. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

Colt had done everything he could to make one of the hardest days of my life feel… perfect. No one had ever gone out of their way like that for me before. Everything about last night made it clear just how deeply Colt loved me. He cared in a way no one else ever had.

Colt always put everyone else first. That wasn’t the kind of man I was used to.

Being with Colt was like taking a deep breath of fresh, salty air at the last possible second—right after you’d nearly drowned in the deepest part of the ocean. After work today, I planned to come home and show him how much he meant to me.

A few days ago, I’d done a little online shopping and found something that immediately made me think of him—black lace lingerie with matching thigh-high stockings that clipped to a barely-there thong. The top, though calling it a top was generous, was more of a whisper of fabric than anything else.

This morning, after Colt left for work, I tried it on. The way it hugged my curves and lifted my cleavage had me feeling sexy in a way I hadn’t in a long time. I couldn’t wait to wear it for him tonight. More than that, I couldn’t wait for him to take it off me.

As I changed back into my work clothes, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

It was Cassie.

“Hello—”

“Oh my goodness. Are you on your way yet? Sorry, that sounded kind of jerkish. I didn’t mean for it to come off that way.

Anyway, we’re down to our last sack of sugar, and the delivery guy just called to say he won’t be here until later this afternoon.

There’s no way in hell that one sack is going to last us all day.

Is there any chance you can stop at the market before you come in and buy every bag of sugar they’ve got?

I’ll pay you back, of course. I’d go myself, but I’ve already opened the shop, so I can’t just kick the customers out.

But seriously, what the hell is a coffee shop without sugar, you know? ”

She said it all in one breath. I was pretty sure she was going to pass out if she didn’t inhale soon.

“I’m heading out right now,” I said, laughing. “Mission: Sugar Stockpile is a go. I’ll buy every bag they’ve got.”

“Seriously, you’re a lifesaver. I owe you big time.”

“No worries. See you in like thirty minutes.”

We both hung up after saying our goodbyes .

Before heading out the door, I fed Sadie and kissed her forehead goodbye. She gave me her best puppy-dog eyes, then lay down, knowing I had to go.

As I cruised down the two-lane highway into Silver Creek, a rush of positivity surged through me.

I was definitely high on life. After a few miles of driving, I turned up the radio as an early 2000s pop song played over the speaker, one I hadn’t heard in years.

Something about not looking back after a bad breakup.

Perfect timing.

I belted the lyrics like I was headlining my own sold-out concert. I was off-key, but it didn’t matter—no one was around to hear me anyway.

As I drove, I rolled the windows down to let in the still-cool summer morning breeze. The air smelled like fresh-cut grass and wildflowers, and for a second, everything felt light and easy.

But as I neared the edge of Silver Creek, a truck approached from behind me—getting closer. Fast.

It was speeding like a racecar chasing a checkered flag. I figured once it caught up, it would pass me. But instead, it stayed glued to my bumper, revving its engine again and again, way too close for comfort.

What the hell?

My stomach tightened, and I eased off the gas, hoping they’d take the hint and go around.

They didn’t.

They stayed put, riding my tail like they owned the damn road.

Out of ideas and more than a little freaked out, I grabbed my phone and hit Colt’s number, trying to ignore the unease crawling up my spine .

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, his voice instantly making me feel just a little bit better.

“It’d be a better morning if this jerk wasn’t riding my bumper like his truck’s horny and trying to mount my SUV,” I muttered. “Seriously, if I have to brake, even a little, he’s gonna slam into me.”

“What kind of truck is it?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t recognize it. It’s dark blue and looks brand new, actually. I can’t see the person driving. The tint on the windows is too dark.” As I described it, the truck started to edge into the lane next to me. “I think he’s finally going to pass me. Thank goodness.”

The engine roared as it moved into the oncoming lane, crossing the double yellow line. It accelerated—now side by side with me. Out of the corner of my eye, the passenger window lowered.

“He’s rolling down his passenger window, Colt,” I said, my voice tighter now, nerves buzzing.

I tried to focus on Colt’s voice, but it was getting harder. My attention was splintered—torn between listening and the growing dread crawling up my spine. I turned my head, just enough to sneak a glance at the driver without making it obvious.

He was yelling, shouting over the roar of wind and tires. I knew better than to roll down my window, but curiosity and fear mixed like gasoline and fire. I turned more fully, just to see the face of the man who thought he could scream at a total stranger—a woman—like this.

I gasped.

The air was sucked from my lungs .

The phone slipped from my trembling hand and hit the floorboard, ending my call with Colt.

The man’s screams were clearer now. “You’ll never get away from me!”

The truck slowed, dropping back until it hovered near my rear bumper. My eyes flicked to the rearview mirror.

He swerved right—alongside me—and slammed into the side of my car.

The impact jolted me sideways. I gripped the steering wheel tight, trying to steady it, fighting against the skid. After a few seconds, the wheels aligned again. I was back on the road.

My whole body shook. I fumbled along the floorboard, searching for my phone.

I needed to call 911.

I needed to call Colt and tell him Jason had found me.

Before I found the phone, he hit me again—harder this time.

The world tilted.

My car flew off the road, slammed into the embankment, and went airborne.

They say your life flashes before your eyes when you’re about to die.

They’re right.

My SUV tumbled in the open field, rolling again and again, as my core memories played like a film reel.

Meeting Colt in elementary school.

Riding horses on the ranch, the summer sun warming our backs.

Late-night gossip with Molly .

The night my parents died.

Laughing with Cassie at the coffee shop.

Colt kidnapping me in the bar parking lot, the rain drenching us.

Making love to Colt for the first time.

It all blurred together—memory and reality, blood and glass, spinning and screaming.

Shards tore across my face.

Blood smeared the steering wheel.

Where was it coming from?

My car had landed right side up, and the sun was shining through the broken windows. I was dazed, but still conscious. Pain shot through every inch of my body. My head, chest, stomach, legs—every nerve burned like it had been lit on fire.

I needed to find my phone—my life depended on it—but no matter how hard I tried, my arms wouldn’t move, like they were cemented to my sides.

Tears spilled down my cheeks as defeat settled into my bones. I wasn’t getting out of here alive. Jason had found me, and one way or another, he was going to kill me.