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Eli wanted Cole to question her. A good idea, since it was likely whoever was behind this was someone Olivia knew. They needed to identify him as soon as possible. Based on tonight’s attack, the stalker was getting bolder. It wasn’t a question of if he would attack again.
It was a matter of when.
FOUR
Olivia couldn’t stop trembling. Months of living in fear coupled with the attack left her exhausted and uncertain.
She was being hunted.
And the man was still out there.
Darkness pressed against the windows of Cole’s truck. Olivia buried herself deeper into the passenger seat and absently touched the nick at her neck. She could still feel the blade pressed against her throat, the attacker’s hand over her mouth, silencing her screams. He’d broken the window on her SUV before dragging her from the vehicle. Olivia had fought, but not even the skills she’d picked up from a self-defense course had prepared her for the attacker’s brute strength. He’d overpowered her easily. It was terrifying to realize just how ill-equipped she was to protect herself.
“Are you warm enough?”
Cole’s voice cut through her train of thought, and it took Olivia a moment to process his question. She lowered her hand from her throat. Every vent in the truck was aimed in her direction, warm air blowing across her skin, but it didn’t remove the chill deep in her bones. She doubted anything would. Not while her stalker remained free.
Olivia twisted her fingers together and willed herself to stop shaking. “I’m okay.”
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. His gaze was fixed on the dark country road, his shoulders relaxed, one capable hand manning the steering wheel, the other casually resting on the console between them. Before tonight, they’d been acquaintances. Now, from this day forward, Cole was forever a part of her. He’d saved her life. It was a weird feeling, especially since he was little more than a stranger.
She struggled to come up with something to say. Normally, Olivia was good at making small talk, but after tonight’s events, she didn’t have it in her. Fortunately, Cole seemed unaffected by the quiet.
The truck’s tires hummed against the asphalt. Olivia’s head was pounding. She removed the bobby pins from her twist, freeing her hair to relieve some of the pressure before resting against the seat and closing her eyes.
The truck slowed. Olivia winced at the harsh fluorescent lighting pouring through the windshield. This wasn’t home. “Where are we?”
“Jax’s Burger Joint.” Cole pulled into a parking spot and then turned to face her. “We didn’t eat dinner. I figured you might be hungry. If not, say the word, and I’ll take you straight home.”
Her stomach lurched and rumbled as the enticing aroma of french fries ignited hunger pains. Breakfast was a long time ago, and she’d worked through lunch. Food would ease her headache too. Olivia reached for the seat belt release. “A burger would be great.”
Cole’s lips lifted in a heart-stopping grin. He exited the truck, circling around to open her door for her. Olivia tried not to wince as she used the running board to get out of the truck. Every muscle in her body hurt from struggling against her attacker. She’d be sore tomorrow.
The bell over the door jingled as they entered the all-night diner. Red-and-white striped booths lined the walls and silver-rimmed tables crowded the center. Most of the seats were empty. A waitress wearing an apron over her jeans and T-shirt instructed them to sit where they pleased.
Cole claimed a table with a view of the entire room. “This all right?”
“Fine.” She dropped to a chair. Her stomach rumbled loud enough to be heard by the kitchen staff. She blushed and pressed a hand to her midsection. “I’m starving and didn’t even realize it.”
He chuckled and passed her a menu. “Have you eaten here before?”
“Many times. This is one of my grandpa’s favorite restaurants. The burgers are great. So are the chicken wraps.” Olivia didn’t bother opening the menu. She wanted a cheeseburger with the works and fries, along with a soft drink. Maybe even an ice cream sundae for dessert. The thought brought a wistful smile to her face. “When I was a teen, Grandpa and I would come here and order ice cream sundaes first. Then we’d eat dinner. Grandpa would say it was okay to break the rules now and then, as long as no one got hurt in the process.”
“Wise words.” Cole studied her over his menu. “Are you a rule follower?”
“I am now. I wasn’t as much back then.” Olivia had nearly failed out of high school. “I lost my parents, one after the other. Mom died of cancer. Dad had a heart attack a month later. People told me it was from a broken heart. Probably true. He loved my mom something fierce. When I came to live with my grandparents, I was grieving and acted out. It took time, and a lot of patience, but with my grandparents' support, I got through it.”
“They sound like wonderful people.”
“They’re the best.” She tilted her head. “What about you? Have any family nearby?”
“Nana, my paternal grandmother, lives in Corpus Christi.” He hesitated, and for a moment, Olivia thought that was the only answer she was going to get. Then he said, “My parents died in a car accident when I was eight. Nana raised me.”
“I’m sorry. You must miss them.” She missed her own parents. Deeply. Grandpa and Granny were amazing. Olivia never wanted for love and affection, but there were times she wondered what her parents would think of her decisions. Would they be proud of her? She hoped so. “What’s your grandmother like?”
His lips turned up at the corners. “A firecracker. She’s a petite little thing with a backbone of steel and eyes in the back of her head. Nana never took a lick of nonsense from me.” His gaze turned distant. “But underneath all that hardness was a warm and caring person. She helped me through a lot after my parents died. More than I can put words to.”
“I’m glad you had someone.” Olivia laid a hand on his arm. She’d always been an affectionate person, a byproduct of being raised by her big-hearted grandmother. There wasn’t a person in the world Granny didn’t hug in greeting. “No one should go through grief by themselves. Especially a child.”
