Page 37 of Fueled Hate

Tenderly rubbing along my jawline, his eyes drop to my mouth as he says, “I know everything about you, I’m guessing even more than you know about yourself.”

“I doubt that.”

“Come with me and I’ll show you.” He steps back, allowing mere inches between us. When I don’t make a move, he snakes his fingers around my elbow, moving to pull me along as he walks down the hallway. I attempt to jerk away, but he halts, turning to me. “I’m not asking. You’re coming with me.”

“No, I’m not.” My shaky words aren’t any more convincing to him than they are to me.

“Trust me when I say you’re gonna want to see this.”

“‘Trust’? How can I trust you?” The smugness is gone from him as he steps to me.

“You trust him.” The words sound like an accusation that I’ve already been found guilty of—although I have no clue what the hell he is talking about.

“Who?”

“Either come with me or I will make sure every person you care about, including Frank and Levi, pay the price.”

“How do you know their names?” Looking into his callous eyes, I suddenly feel like I’ve never experienced a real moment with Dylan. From the annoyances to the kindnesses, I’m questioning every second I’ve been in his presence. “Who are you?”

“Finally, you’re asking the correct question.” Turning, he doesn’t say anything else. His hand grips my elbow, leading me out of the house as I woodenly follow. His threat may be empty, but I’m not willing to wager Dad or Levi on a hunch.

Opening the passenger door of his STI, he releases my arm as I stand and stare at him. “Get in.”

“Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?”

“The truth, and you’re the key to finding it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ll explain the details if and when you need to know.”

“I need to know now. Why should I get in the car when you won’t even tell me where you’re taking me?”

“Because if you don’t, you’ll regret it.”

Infuriating. He’s absolutely maddening. All he’s done since the moment he walked into my life is twist and turn my mind, body, and soul. “I hate you.”

“Good.” He puts his hand on my lower back, guiding me into the passenger seat. Pulling out the seat belt, he hooks it as he hovers over me, his lips near mine. “If you run, I will find you. I will always find you.”

“Well, that sure makes me feel so much better.”

“You never know … someday you might be hoping I find you.”

“Not a fucking chance.”

His lip curls into a smirk as he shifts back, shuts the door, and swiftly walks around the car before dropping into the driver’s seat. He wastes no time starting up the STI, the engine rumbling as it cuts through the stillness of the night.

How did I get here? Why is this happening? And more importantly, where are we headed? Watching out the window, the familiar landscape of my hometown flashes by. It’s only minutes later when he pulls into a parking lot, puts the car in park, and looks over to me.

“We’re here.”

Without looking I already know where we are. “Why are we here?”

“The truth, remember?” He gets out of the car and walks over to my door. I step out, my eyes searching across the street—scanning my dad’s auto shop. The garage is usually dark at night, but there’s a light on in the farthest bay away from the road.

“Dylan, what’s going on?” The words leave my mouth as a breathless whisper.

He doesn’t say a word, simply looks to me, threads his fingers with mine, and slowly leads me across the deserted street. Walking behind the shop, I stumble a bit as a stick snaps beneath my bare foot.