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

But it wasn’t a customer who pulled Edwin from his inventory. Carson stood at the counter, still as boyishly handsome as he had been when Edwin met him. Cooper didn’t have to wonder what Edwin could possibly see in Carson. Anybody with eyes knew the answer to that question. His eyes were a bright, wide-open blue. Like he wanted to take in the entire world. There were laugh lines around his eyes, acting as a sort of warning and a sort of promise—he didn’t take the world or himself too seriously. Even if Edwin found Carson’s personality lacking—and there was no evidence to believe he did—anybody would be flattered and pleased to receive attention from the younger man. Edwin would be no exception.


Chapter 26