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’s fingers began to move, sliding up and down Edwin’s arm. Each time he reached Edwin’s shoulder, Edwin inhaled. Each time Cooper’s fingers touched his wrist, he exhaled. “You don’t need to be nervous about anything.”


“No. It seems like you already know what you’re doing. And you know I know what I’m doing.”


“I’d like to think so. Nobody knows you like I do, Edwin. Nobody else ever will.”


“How will it feel? I mean, are you going to be cold?”


Cooper touched the side of Edwin’s neck. “Do I feel cold?”


Edwin exhaled slowly. “No. No, you feel good.”


“This’ll be easier if you join me in the backseat.”


There was no doubt of that. Edwin wasn’t sure if two grown men could fit in the backseat comfortably. On the other hand, he wasn’t sure how a grown man could meet a ghost for a nooner, so he supposed he had larger problems than the size of the Spider’s backseat.


“Maybe if you join me in the front,” Edwin suggested.


Chapter 47