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

“More like warts. I thought you’d be the person to ask.” Carson grimaced slightly, realizing how awful the words sounded. Where did his brain go? Had it just deserted him to this impossible task? Hoping to salvage the situation, he added lamely, “Since you’re a pharmacist.”


Somehow, Edwin managed to keep a straight face. “I guess it would help if I knew all the symptoms.”


“There are myriad symptoms,” Carson said with misery that was mostly genuine. “But I think the most troubling is the sudden and unexplained disappearances. I mean, one minute, I’m having a good time with a guy I like, and the next minute, I’m running away for no reason.” With strangely aching balls, but Carson decided he’d keep that part to himself.


“I’m not sure I have anything for that,” Edwin said, his voice light but his eyes somber


Chapter 22