Page 23 of Carver’s Crusade

Paul.

I recognize him instantly from the photos. Same smug face. Same dead eyes. He smiles like he’s been waiting for me.

“Wrong way,” he says casually.

I choke on a breath and spin around, running back the way I came.

Tony laughs.

The sound echoes. It’s everywhere and much too close.

I take another turn—left this time, faster, desperate—

Andrew blocks the sidewalk.

He leans against a lamppost like he’s got all the time in the world. “You’re making this harder than it has to be.”

“No—” My voice breaks. I back up, shaking my head.

I run again.

Every street twists into another trap.

Scott steps out from between two parked cars that weren’t there a second ago. Jay stands in the middle of the road, arms crossed. Cliff watches from the mouth of an alley, grinning like this is a game.

They don’t chase me.

They don’t have to.

Because they’re herding me.

My chest tightens, panic clawing up my throat as I spin in a circle, searching for an escape that doesn’t exist.

“Nowhere left to go,” Tony says softly.

He’s behind me.

I feel it before I see him—the heat of his presence, the weight of his gaze. My body locks up, terror rooting me to the spot.

Something rough brushes against my neck.

I gasp as a rope slips over my head, tightening before I can react. The fibers bite into my skin, digging in, stealing the air from my lungs.

“No—!”

Tony leans in close, his breath hot against my ear.

“Told you,” he whispers. “You’re mine.”

The rope jerks tight.

Everything goes black—

—and I wake with a violent gasp, hands clawing at my throat, heart racing like it’s trying to escape my chest.

I fight to control my breathing and racing heart as I fumble with the lamp next to my bed. Even with the lights on, my eyes flick around the space, searching for danger. Damn, that was worse than I expected. I knew I’d have a nightmare, but that felt too real. Especially the noose at the end.

Shuddering, I climb out of bed and head for the shower. Hot water and coffee. That’s what I need and in that order.