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

“Not a huge setup. She called me and told me to meet you guys here.”


Carson frowned. “Uh-oh. You sound annoyed.”


Is it true what they say about you? They say you’ll never, ever, never be true.


“No, no, I’m not annoyed. I mean, it’s really nice to meet you. You seem like a nice guy.” And you’re certainly easy on the eyes, Edwin thought.


Edwin offered what he thought was a friendly smile, even as he gestured dismissively with his hand. “I don’t usually go for ambush setups or blind dates or whatever this is.”


If Carson was offended by Edwin’s attempted brush-off, he didn’t show it. In fact, he smiled, and his blue eyes lit with an engaging twinkle. He was probably accustomed to charming his way through life. Edwin couldn’t even remember being that young, and he was certain that he had never been quite that pretty.


“Can’t it just be two guys having a drink? I wasn’t exactly expecting a date or a hookup or anything.”


Chapter 9