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 beamed at him and stepped back, giving Edwin the room to move. Cooper opened the door with a flourish, and if anything should have given Edwin a bad feeling, it was the obvious excitement and satisfaction in Cooper’s green eyes. But Edwin slid behind the wheel, making it a point to keep the door open and one foot flat on the garage floor. Cooper joined him in the passenger seat, the look of satisfaction never fading.


“What?” Edwin asked. “I don’t see anything different in here.”


“There’s not a difference in here. The difference is you.”


Edwin wanted to ask just what the hell Cooper was talking about, but he had the feeling no real explanation would be forthcoming. There was no choice but to do what Cooper said and study his reflection in the rearview mirror. But one glance sent the color from his cheeks and his heart kicking into overdrive.


Chapter 63