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

“Come with me tomorrow,” Cooper whispered. “Take the car to work. Let me touch you.”


“I can make it better, Edwin. Better than this. Better than anything you ever felt.”


Edwin laughed a little. The words made sense. He understood what they meant separately. But when Cooper spoke, they blended and bled and turned purple and drifted backward into the widening void.


“I can make it so you don’t feel any pain…you never get old…you never get tired…you can just be happy.”


“Is that what it’s like to be dead?”


“Same thing,” Edwin said, the laughter still in his voice. “And lonely.”


“No…no…it won’t be lonely. Not with the two of us together.” Soft lips touched his. Edwin relaxed further beneath the contact. “Sleep now, and I’ll show you.”


Chapter 41