I yank my arm free. “Don’t tell. Please?”

  His eyes narrow on me and he motions his head toward the hallway I just came through. I follow him even though I don’t want to. “I won’t but you aren’t staying.”

  “Cole. I’m not doing anything bad.”

  “You sure as hell aren’t doing anything good.” He snatches the wig from my head. “Did you think I wouldn’t recognize you?” He shakes his head and cups the back of his neck. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was curious.” I kick my feet at the baseboard that runs along the wall.

  “Well now you saw. Let’s go.”

  “No. I wanna know why our mother is dancing with Romeo and our old man seems fine with it?” I cross my arms over my chest.

  Cole shrugs his vest off and puts it over my shoulders. “Cover up. You look like a damn clubwhore. Dad would kill you and then he’d kill me if I don’t get you back to Rebel and Chelle’s. I’m not playing, Sara.”

  “You didn’t answer my question,” I point out, shrugging my arms through the large holes and hugging the leather to me.

  “I don’t know what mom is doing. It’s not my business, nor is it any of yours.”

  This time he doesn’t give me a chance to fight him. He picks me up and throws me over his shoulder, folding his arm to shield my butt.

  When we get outside he leads me to his car. “Get in. I’m not asking.”

  “Whatever.” I roll my eyes and slam the door.

  When he gets in he wants to know where Harley is. Even though she deserted me I tell him I don’t know. I won’t betray her trust.

  “I know she brought you here, tell me, Sara. Where is she?”

  I change the subject. “What do you know about a guy named Kyler?”

  “Tread’s son? Why do you wanna know about that little shitstain for?”

  I tap my finger on my bottom lip. “Hmmm. I don’t know. He seems...nice.”

  “So that’s where Harley is and how you got here, huh?”

  “Don’t tell on her, Cole.”

  “I’ll keep it to myself, but I will be talking to him.”

  Chapter 14

  Danny

  Somewhere, Kentucky

  “YOU OWE ME A REBEL daughter. You owe me!” Marek roars in my face. “Get in the truck. Drive to the local high school. There is a basketball game, she will be cheering.” He flashes a photograph in my face. “Grab her and bring her to me. I don’t care what you must do to get her. We clear?”

  Flexing my prosthetic hand, I still haven’t grown accustomed to it. It allows me to grip like a real hand. Biomedicine is so advanced that I can even do just about anything that I would with a real hand. My sister spared no expense to make sure I have the best that there is. My hand, is worth more than I deserved.

  Staring at the photo, I don’t want to go through with this. Fuck, she’s young. I can tell because she still has baby fat in her cheeks. Crumpling the photograph, I toss it in the trash.

  Getting in the truck, I hate who and what I have become and what I must do. If I don’t comply, Marek will kill Harper, not that she probably doesn’t deserve it after all the terrible shit she has done, but she’s my sister. Allowing him to hurt her more than he already has isn’t an option. Besides that, she’s pregnant.

  Her child deserves a mother, even if it will be her, as sadistic as she is. I will do anything to protect my sister and her child. I’m the only person in the world who truly cares about them. Marek doesn’t even want the child. He suspects it isn’t his although Harper swears she hasn’t been with another man other than her husband since Cole. In her own sick and twisted way, I do believe she loved Cole. As much as she was able to. Harper only really knows one love and that is for herself.

  Arriving at the school I buy a ticket for the game, attempting to blend in, avoiding making eye contact with anyone.

  Taking my seat in the stands I scan the cheerleaders, looking for my target. Spotting her is easy enough. She’s beautiful and stands out so much more than the rest of the girls, appearing more mature for her age than she appeared in the picture. That is until I see the girl who brings her a water. Her red hair flames with a golden hue, emanating wildfire next to the bleach blonde hair of her friend.

  I watch as they talk briefly and then she starts toward the bleachers, coming up and sitting in my section; I can’t take my eyes off her. I shouldn’t be checking her out. I’m a twenty-six-year-old man at a high school basketball game for Christ’s sake.

  She sits three seats away from me, perched on the edge as though she’s nervous. I can’t help but wonder why.

  Her eyes meet mine and they are so striking. Yellow, gold, with flecks of brown; I can’t look away. I feel damn near entranced. Her lips lift into a smile.

  I can’t stop myself from asking, “What’s your name?”

  “Sara.”

  “That’s real pretty. Pretty like you.”

  “Thanks,” she says, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “What’s your name?”

  “Danny,” I tell her my real name knowing that I shouldn’t. “You go to school here?”

  “No, just visiting my cousin, Harley.” She points to the blonde as she shouts a cheer. “I’m here for a funeral and to see my brother, Cole.”

  Fuck. I’ve just hit the jackpot. Cole is the fucker who put us all in this mess. If Harper hadn’t been so hung up on him...I never would have had to choose. I never would have lost my hand. If I deliver the sister of that fuck to Marek, maybe he will consider my debt paid, and maybe he will let my sister go. He sure as hell isn’t interested in the baby in her womb.

  “How long are you here for?”

  She shrugs. “A few days.”

  “I’d love to show you around while you’re here,” I tell her.

  “Thanks, but my folks would never go for it.”

  “Who says they have to know.” I wink, then I glance at the scoreboard. “There’s over thirty minutes left. Plenty of time to take you on the grand tour of Drag Creek,” I lie.

  “I don’t know...”

  “I don’t bite, unless you ask me to,” I say with a laugh.

  “You’ll bring me straight back?” She pulls her purse up on her shoulder.

  “Of course.” I smile and stand. She holds out her hand to mine, and I help her up, loving the way her hand feels in my good one. I don’t think she has noticed my prosthetic. It doesn’t matter. I don’t plan on spending enough time with her for it to matter.

  Sara

  I don’t know what I am doing but this guy, Danny, he’s cute and older. I can’t believe he is even paying attention to me. With my hand in his, I follow him outside to his truck.

  “So, what does the grand tour entail?”

  “You’ll see.” He cocks his head to the side and smiles at me. “Buckle up, pretty girl.”

  Is he flirting with me? My cheeks pinken and I pull the belt across my chest and secure it with a click.

  “Good girl.”

  I laugh as he starts the truck. “I’m not a dog.”

  “I know that, Sara. You’re a rebel.” His eyes sparkle with excitement.

  “What did you say?” My stomach tenses as he pulls out onto the road.

  He takes a curve fast and my purse goes sliding across the seat.

  Gripping the steering wheel and pressing his foot down on the gas, he looks to me and says, “I said you’re a rebel. You look like you have a wild side that is dying to get out and have a little fun. Do you want to have fun with me?”

  “Um... I guess.” I stretch my arm out, reaching for my purse but Danny snatches it away and presses harder on the gas.

  “Please, slow down.”

  “I bet you always do what you’re told. Don’t you ever just wanna get crazy and do whatever you want?”

  “Danny, you’re scaring me. I think I wanna go back.”

  He unzips my purse and takes my cellphone out.

  “Bet you were wanting this, right?” He shakes his head as I grab the door handle, debating on if I could survive it if I tumble out.

  “Listen, you seem like an okay dude, but you are really scaring me.”

  He laughs, throwing his head back. Not even looking at the road.

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Nothing. A lot,” he says with this sadness in his eyes.

  “Why are you doing this? I won’t tell anyone if you take me back. I swear it.”

  “Sorry, I can’t do that.”

  Then he does the unthinkable. He rolls down the window and tosses my lifeline onto the freeway.

  “Why did you do that!” I screech at him. I need a plan. My chest squeezes, and I feel like I can’t breathe.

  “Don’t you wanna just ever say fuck it all, Sara. Do something crazy. Be wild and free. Do you ever just want to run away from your life?”

  “Every day,” I answer shocking myself more than him.

  “I knew it.” He laughs, easing off the gas, finally doing a normal speed.

  “You’re crazy.”

  “I never claimed to be sane.” He grins at me and I don’t know what compels me, but I undo my seatbelt and slide across the seat of the truck next to him.

  “I guess not,” I whisper as I look at him, studying this crazy stranger’s face.

  “I’m sorry, Sara. I shouldn’t have thrown out your phone. That was a real shit thing to do.”

  “Yeah. You think?”

  He taps his thumb on the wheel. “I guess you could say I get a bit impulsive.”

  “You can say that again.” I laugh feeling a little more at ease now that he isn’t driving like a whackadoo.

  “So, what are we doing?”

  “I don’t know. I just saw you and I thought this girl. This girl’s special and if I don’t get to know her I’m going to regret it the rest of my life.”

  “Really.... Sorry to burst your bubble, pal, but I’m not falling for that line. I may not be the brightest girl, but I know a line when I hear one.”

  “I won’t argue with you on the smart part, but honestly, there is something about you.” I smack at him as we pull off on a dirt road.

  “You’re not bringing me out here to kill me, are you?”

  “No. I told you I want to get to know you. This place is the best kept secret in Drag Creek. Trust me, Sara.”

  Chapter 15

  Danny

  SARA IS SITTING ON the tailgate of the truck next to me. I should have taken her to Marek about an hour ago. I can’t keep prolonging it. For a moment when she first got in my truck, I was tempted to let her go, but most of all I was tempted to just keep driving until I ran out of money or gas, whichever came first. I knew if I didn’t get rid of her cell phone we could be tracked by it and I made up my mind to see this through. I have my sister depending on me to save her. Because for the first time in her life she isn't able to save herself.

  I’ve never believed in love at first sight, but I do feel a connection to Sara. The more she talks and the more time I spend with her my pull to her grows stronger. Which is exactly why I need to end this now. Besides, she’s too young for me.

  I know she has seen my hand by now, but she hasn’t brought it up. She’s the first person who hasn’t asked me how it happened. It’s like she accepts that it’s just a part of me.

  I got lucky with this road. I had no idea where it would lead. But somehow, we have found ourselves at an old fishing hole.

  “So, what were you doing at the game?” Sara looks at me expectantly.

  I pull my zippo out of my pocket and flick the flame. Do I make up a beautiful lie or do I crush her with the ugly truth?

  “Look,” I tell her pointing to the edge of the field. There’s a buck coming toward the watering hole for a drink.

  “Wow, he’s beautiful.”

  “Sure is,” I agree, tucking my good hand in my back pocket and pulling out the syringe.

  “I’ve never seen one in real life before.” She jumps down from the tailgate and freezes when the animal stops and returns her gaze.

  I go to stand next to her and she is smiling at me, taking my breath away. I don’t want to give her to Marek, but I have to protect Harper. I know what I must do.

  “You never answered my question.”

  Placing my fake fingers under her chin, I force her eyes to mine. She has all these freckles sprinkled like confetti on her T-zone. It’s sexy. I shouldn’t be thinking she’s is sexy considering she must be a good ten years younger than me, but she’s gorgeous. Her eyes are so damn captivating, I could get lost in them for hours.

  “Sara, I need to tell you something.”

  My phone rings from inside the truck interrupting the moment.

  “Sorry, I have to get that.”

  She gives me an odd look but nods.

  “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”

  Fucking Marek. I know it’s him.

  “Yeah.”

  “Where the fuck are you. The plane is waiting. We need to go before the bad weather rolls in.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “You have twenty minutes, Danny, or I pay special attention to my whore of a wife.”

  Fuck.

  I toss the phone on the seat, and when I turn around, Sara is right up on me.

  “You okay?”

  “Fine,” I grit through my teeth.

  “We should probably head back to the school. My parents are probably looking for me by now.”

  I nod my head, digging my teeth into my bottom lip. I can only hope she doesn’t hate me too much after this, but I shouldn’t care if she does. I don’t plan on sticking around. I can’t become invested no matter how tempting she makes it.

  Once Marek has her, I can free Harper from his psychotic ass for the sake of her baby.

  “This was...fun.” She smiles, and I lean in, playing the part of the seductive older man.

  “I had fun with you too, Sara.” I wet my lips feeling like an evil bastard.

  She moves upward on her tippy toes wanting me to kiss her. Wrapping my arm around her waist to keep her from falling, I pull her body into mine and then I sick her with the shot in the side of her neck.

  Her eyes go wide. “What are you....” is all she manages to get out before her eyes roll back and her body goes slack in my arms.

  It would have been easier to do it while she was in the truck already but oh well. I did what I had to.

  It will be better for her this way. By the time she comes to it will all be over.

  Chapter 16

  Harley

  “HEY, HAVE YOU SEEN my cousin?”

  “The girl who was with you earlier?” Coach Miles asks.

  “Yeah. The redhead with a lot of freckles.”

  She taps her chin for a moment before answering. “Actually, I watched her leave with her boyfriend a while ago. Though he did seem a bit old for her.”

  “Thanks,” I mutter, confused, because I know good and well Sara doesn’t have a boyfriend. At least not one in Drag Creek. She didn’t mention meeting anyone when we snuck into the Roadhouse.

  I pull my phone out of my bag and try her cellphone again. It keeps going straight to voicemail. I’m gonna be in deep shit if I don’t find her soon. My mom will be here any minute to pick us up.

  Why the hell did she leave without a word? Who was she with? I call the only person who may be able to help without getting me grounded for life.

  “Hello, little sister. What’s up?”

  “Morg, can I talk to Cole?”

  “He’s not here. Why do you want Cole?”

  “Um, is Sara with him by chance?”

  “I don’t think so. Why are you being so weird? What is it?”

  “Okay, don’t tell anyone yet, but Sara came to my game with me and well...I can’t find her, and my coach said she watched her leave with an older guy.”

  “Damn. Double damn,” she curses.

  “I know. What do I do?”

  “You tell her folks, Harley. Now!” She snaps at me.

  “I don’t want to get her into trouble,” I hedge.

  “Harley, what if she’s in danger? Did you think about that?”

  “No. Shit,” I hiss.

  “What?”

  “Mom’s here. I gotta go.”

  “Do the right thing, and tell mom.”

  “I will.” I end the call and pray Sara is okay for both our sakes.

  Hiking my bag up on my shoulder again, I get in the car.

  “Where’s Sara?” Mom asks immediately.

  I shrink back in the seat. “I don’t know,” I mumble.

  “What do you mean you don’t know?”

  “Just as I said. I don’t know, Mom. She brought me a water, and I saw her go to the bleachers, but when the game was over, I couldn’t find her. Plus, she isn’t picking up her phone. I looked everywhere. I keep calling her.” I look to the window, hoping to see her.

  “Harley, look at me.” I twist around to face her. “I need you to think. Has she said anything? Do you know anything?”

  “No,” I grumble, folding my arms over my chest. I’m afraid to tell her she left with a man. I am gonna be in deep shit.

  “You better not be lying to me because heaven help you if you aren’t telling me everything. Your dad will go ape shit not to mention your aunt and uncle.”

  “Okay. Don’t be mad at me.”

  “What is it?” She growls.

  “COACH MILES SAID SHE watched her leave with an older guy.”

  “Oh, for fucks sake.” She speeds out of the school lot. “Call your father and tell him. Now, Harley!”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” I’m dead. My father will ground me for life.

  Karly

  “What do you mean they don’t know where Sara is?”

  “Fuck!” Nash roars while he punches the wall. He tosses his phone on the bed in the guestroom at my dad’s house.

  “All I know is no one has seen our daughter since she went to the ballgame with Harley and her phone is going direct to voicemail. Truth is trying to track her phone but there are only two cell towers in Drag Creek which means she could be anywhere in the county.”