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

Cooper floated above the counter, indulging in his new favorite pastime. Edwin made regular mention of his age, but the man never took into account the fact that he looked amazing. Even the tiny gray hairs that curled at his temples and his nape only contributed to his distinguished look. And he had kind eyes. He treated everybody with a certain baseline of kindness. Cooper liked to think he had treated people the same when he was alive, but he had been eighteen. He assumed he hadn’t been a particularly considerate kid, though he couldn’t really remember.


Chapter 24