Edwin Masters has spent his entire life lusting after one car -- a 1962 Alfa Romeo Spider 2600. When he finally buys one, it changes the entire shape and meaning of his world. The car comes with a guest, and the restless spirit is awakened by Edwin.<br><br>Cooper James, the young man who died behind the wheel forty-seven years earlier, haunts the Spider and he wants a life. He wants Edwin. So he reaches out, sucking Edwin into a deepening abyss by exploiting demons from a past Edwin can't break from.<br><br>Edwin resists, struggling against the phantom in favor of an attractive, exciting young man who wants to be with him, Carson Heston. Carson holds the key to Edwin's salvation, but every time he gets close, Cooper terrorizes him. Edwin knows he'll be lost forever if he submits to Cooper's dark promise of release and relief, but that might be the only way to save Carson's life.

On a Bruised Road

“Think you can get out of the car now?”


Edwin checked the rearview mirror again. It was still empty.


Edwin pulled the key out of the ignition. He was being silly. He was lucky that Blake and Cathy had tried to talk to him instead of calling the happy men in white coats.


“I’m sure. I think I might have just had too much excitement for the day. We’ll get a drink, and I’ll take it easy…I know I’m not as young as I used to be.”


“I hope I’m still as spry when I’m your age.”


Edwin smiled good-naturedly, but he felt like it was frozen to his face. He wasn’t that old. Not so old that Blake should call him spry. He was only forty-seven, for Christ’s sake.


Which was nearly twenty-five years older than Blake.


He must have seemed ancient to the young couple.


“Well, work out every day and eat your vegetables,” Edwin said absently as he pushed open the door.


Chapter 5