A tear slid down Grace’s cheek, but she quickly scrubbed it away. She didn’t want to cry. She knew it was important to let her emotions out, to feel what she needed to feel, but right now, all she wanted to do was switch it off and be numb.
Lifting another T-shirt from the drawer, she folded it carefully before placing it in her suitcase on top of the rest.
Just when she’d thought she was moving forward, maybe even starting a friendship with a man who made her feel things—beautiful, new things—it all came crashing down.
Shaking her head, she went to the bathroom and grabbed a handful of her toiletries.
The worst part was, Logan was probably right about the girl being taken because of them—because of her. Anything else was just too convenient.
Grace dropped her toiletry bag into her suitcase.
She just had to hope that they’d find this girl in time. She’d heard the harrowing stories of the other women. She couldn’t be responsible for it happening to this latest victim.
Sucking in a calming breath, Grace zipped up her bag, throwing it over her shoulder. Her footsteps were loud in the otherwise quiet house as she made her way downstairs. Logan had left almost straight after their fight. The resounding click of the door as it closed behind him had felt like he was dropping a brick right onto her heart.
Pausing at the front door, Grace cast a quick glance around before heading into the kitchen.
She should leave a note. Tonight, the man had hurt her, but before tonight…
Thank you for allowing me into your home. You are a wonderful man, and you have helped me more than you know.
Grace xox
Things might not have ended the way she’d hoped, but the man had taken her in when all he should have felt was distrust. He’d made her feel safe. Reminded her that a man’s touch could feel good.
Her eyes misted again at the thought, but she shoved the emotions down. She could feel it all later. For now, she wanted to leave. Get out of this house and into a motel before he returned. The last thing she wanted tonight was to face more of his anger-fueled accusations.
Tugging the door open, Grace clicked the lock before pulling it closed behind her. She climbed behind the wheel and took a steadying breath before driving down Logan’s long driveway.
Using the car’s Bluetooth, she called her dad, wanting to hear his familiar, calming voice. Talk to someone who loved her.
The phone rang. And then it rang some more. A solid five rings later and Grace knew he wasn’t going to answer.
Logan’s words repeated in her head.
“You shone a light on us for the world to see, Grace. Is it any wonder he’s taken a woman so close by?”
And she’d shone that light on them to take the light off herself.
Pain shot through her, so sharp she had to press a hand to her chest. Selfish. So damn selfish. To save herself and her father, she’d hurt others. She hadn’t known that there would be such massive repercussions. But it didn’t change the fact that everything was her fault.
What made it worse was that, even if she could go back, she wasn’t sure she’d do anything differently. She wasn’t sure she could do anything differently.
Was she capable of allowing her father’s actions to be found out?
No.
When tears pressed against her eyes yet again, blurring her vision, she pulled to the side of the road. Turning off the engine, she leaned her head back, closing her eyes.
There had been a flicker of hope today. A small possibility of starting a relationship. But she couldn’t have any of that. Not at the moment, anyway. And that was just something she needed to accept.
“You’ll be okay, Grace.”
What she needed was a good night’s sleep.
She’d just switched the engine back on when a car in her rearview mirror drew closer before pulling over to stop behind her. Even though it was probably just a concerned local checking on whoever was on the side of the road, she flicked her locks, safety always at the forefront of her mind.
She waited a moment for them to get out and check on her. A few seconds passed. Then another few.
When the car remained idle behind her without any doors opening, a sliver of unease trickled down her spine. Who was in that car? And why had they pulled up behind her, on an empty road, under the dark night sky, just to sit and do nothing?
Easing the car out onto the road, she said a silent prayer that the person wouldn’t follow. The hope was short-lived. A second later, they were on the road behind her.
When their high beams flicked on, Grace’s heart began to pound against her ribs. They followed so closely that she had to angle her rearview mirror away so the light didn’t shine into her eyes. Blind her.
Pressing her foot down harder, Grace upped her speed. In the side mirrors, she could see the person behind copying her action, the distance between them remaining constant.
Who the hell was this person and what did they want?
Turning a corner, the car did the same.
Were they closer now? Their engine definitely sounded louder. She sped up again, knowing she was surpassing the speed limit.
At the sudden sound of her phone ringing, Grace jolted in her seat. She answered the call without checking who it was. “Hello?”
“Grace. It’s Logan.” There was a small pause. “I can hear that you’re in the car. I don’t blame you for leaving. I was wondering if we could talk?”
Her eyes flew to the side mirror again. Oh, God, he was so close she could barely see his headlights now. “Logan, I—” She gasped when a pedestrian almost stepped onto the road in front of her. Swerving, nearly losing control of the car, she only just regained it. The man jumped back just in time.
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know.” She raised her voice over the deafening sound of the engine. “There’s someone behind me. He’s close. Really close. And his lights are so bright I can barely see. I’m scared whoever it is is going to hit me. And I’m driving way too fast.”
She was now driving more than fifteen miles over the speed limit. Fear rushed through her limbs, making her fingers tremble.
“Where are you?” Logan’s voice had hardened. There was an edge of worry lacing his words.
That was a good question, where was she? She had no idea. She’d stopped paying attention to street names the second she noticed the car.
Scanning the street, her eyes landed on a roadside diner.
“I’m just about to pass a diner. Albert’s Diner, maybe? Or Allen’s.” Her words were running into each other. Her eyes flicked from the road to the mirror and back again.
“Take the next left. I’m at Tucker’s Bar. It’s not far down that road.”
“I don’t know if I can slow down without them hitting me.” And the idea of trying terrified her.
“That road’s going to end in about two miles anyway.” Oh, sweet Jesus. “You can do it, Grace. Release your foot slowly off the accelerator and gently press on the brake. If he hasn’t tried to hit you so far, maybe that’s not his goal.”
The calmness in Logan’s voice eased some of her own panic.
Slowly, Grace eased her foot onto the brake. She was careful to keep her eyes off the car behind, knowing if she saw him inch closer, she’d lose her nerve and speed up again.
When the turn suddenly came up, she knew she was still going way faster than she should be. But she was out of time.
Holding her breath, she spun the wheel. The sound of rubber squealing against asphalt was loud, the smell almost as overwhelming. The car slid sideways, and it took a lot of maneuvering to maintain control and get back into her lane.
The car behind made the turn in exactly the same manner, high beams yet again threatening to blind her.
What was this guy’s plan? How long did he intend to tail her?
“Are you okay?”
She brought herself back to the sound of Logan’s deep voice. “I made the turn but he’s still following me.”
“The bar isn’t far down the street.”
“Okay.”
She just had to pray that the guy behind didn’t do anything rash.
At the sight of the bar ahead, Grace’s limbs began to tingle with an odd mix of dread and relief. There were people standing out front. Half a dozen maybe. She spotted Logan immediately, his huge outline noticeable as he stood close to the road.
Pressing her foot on the brake slowly, she almost sighed in relief when the car behind did the same. In fact, the distance between the two cars began to increase.
Was he finally leaving her alone?
She’d almost made it to where Logan waited when suddenly the car behind her sped up again, ramming into her.
Grace screeched as he hit her back right corner, sending her careening toward Logan and the other people outside the bar.
Logan jumped out of the way just in time, sweeping others aside with him.
Grace was still trying to gain control by madly turning the wheel. But it was too late. She saw the utility pole a second before the car collided with it.
The seat belt cut across her chest at the impact, air bags exploding.
Then, there was stillness.
A second later, her door was pulled open.
Without a word, Logan reached across her body, unclasping her seat belt and lifting her out.
Logan stood to the side, watching as the tow truck drove away with Grace’s rental car on the back. She’d argued that the thing was still drivable, but Logan wasn’t taking the chance.
His muscles were just as tense as they’d been an hour ago when he’d watched her crash into the pole.
“You’re okay to go home.”
Grace smiled at the paramedic as she stood. Logan slid an arm around her waist, hating the way her body tensed at his touch. “I’ll take you home.”
She didn’t say a word but at least she allowed him to lead her across the parking lot.
The police had only just left. Grace hadn’t been able to see the car, only the headlights, but Logan had gotten a glimpse. The vehicle was a dark green Honda. That was all he knew. It wasn’t a lot to go on. And certainly not enough to get an identity of the driver.
Had it been a reporter? Or was it someone else? The idea of the latter left a sick feeling in his gut and had him tightening his grip around her waist.
Stopping at his truck, he helped her into the passenger seat, not missing how stiff her body felt. On his way around, he threw her bag in the back before sliding behind the wheel.
She’d been leaving him, probably heading back to the motel. And he didn’t blame her at all. Not after how he’d spoken to her. The things he’d said. But he couldn’t let her stay on her own. Someone had just been trailing her. Hit her car with their own and sent her into a damn pole.
Pulling out of the parking lot, he headed toward his house. It took about four minutes for her to notice.
“Logan, I’d like you to take me to the motel. I’ve called ahead and they have a room for me.”
His hands tightened on the wheel. “I can’t do that.”
He expected an argument. Strangely, he didn’t get it.
He shot a glance her way, hating how tired she looked. Hating the sight of the small bandage on her forehead from where the airbags had forced her into the window. More stitches.
When they arrived back at his place, her door was open before he had a chance to get around. He tried to put his arm around her again for support, but she pulled away so quickly she almost fell down.
Jaw tensing, Logan grabbed her bag and trailed behind. It wasn’t until she moved into the guest bedroom that he finally said what he needed to say. “I’m sorry.”
She paused, partway to the bed. Her back was to him, so he couldn’t see her face, but God, he wished he could.
“You don’t need to apologize for expressing how you feel.”
Her words were frustratingly formal and detached. It was only the slight shake in her fingers that gave away her nerves.
He took a small step forward. “I was angry at the situation and projected that anger onto you. That’s not how I feel.”
Sure, he’d been frustrated that she wouldn’t explain her actual reason for talking to the reporter, but he didn’t blame her for the woman in Ketchum being taken.
Grace turned, dark shadows under her eyes and exhaustion visibly weighing her down. “There was truth to what you said, Logan. I felt the honesty in the emotions you expressed. And that’s okay. You’re entitled to be angry with me. If I were in your position, I’m sure I’d be angry, too.”
“Grace.” Another small step forward. Almost close enough to touch her. “I screwed up. I shouldn’t have lost my temper. I promise you, it won’t happen again. Ever. The only person responsible for the woman going missing is the man who took her.”
That’s where the blame started and ended.
“We’re going to find her.” Another step. When she didn’t retreat, he raised his hand, grazing her cheek. “And we’re also going to find out who caused you to crash your car today.”
For a second, there was silence, her brown eyes flickering between his. “I don’t want to be a burden for you.”
The last thing she represented in his life was a burden. “You’re not. You’re my guest. And I want you to stay. I want you close. And not just to keep you safe.”
The smallest flicker of emotion in her eyes. Then, finally, a small nod. “Okay.”
Some of the dread that had been twisting away at his stomach, clawing at his insides, eased. She wasn’t leaving him. Not tonight.
