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2
Jessica
Jessica’s whole body trembled. She clutched the upholstered cushion beneath her and stared wildly out the back window. Her breathing erratic, she couldn’t focus on anything other than the monsters who would no doubt emerge from the shadows.
Images of Tucker’s lifeless body mingled with all the other horrific thoughts that assaulted her. She’d barely escaped with her life, and it was all thanks to Ian that she’d survived.
She froze. After nearly being killed, it had been an obvious choice to allow Ian to whisk her away to safety. But what did shereallyknow about him? Aside from the fact that he always ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and a slice of apple pie, nothing. She knew absolutely nothing.
In the shadows, she could see his set jaw and the way he gripped the steering wheel like it was the only thing keeping them alive. It very well could be. Her gaze cut to the glowing speedometer. “Ian! Slow down! You’re going too fast.” The little red line continued to rise, passing eighty miles per hour and moving up to ninety. “Ian!”
His focus ticked to the speedometer, and he sucked in a breath. Bit by bit the indicator lowered back to sixty-five where it was meant to be. His knuckles were white as they gripped the steering wheel. Ian stared out the front window, his whole body rigid.
Her gaze lowered to his arm. She squinted, then gasped. “Ian! You were shot!” She reached out, nearly touching it.
“Don’t!” he barked. “It’s nothing. I think it just grazed me.”
Her features pinched. Even in the dim lighting it didn’t look like nothing. “Maybe you should pull over and let me take a look at it.”
He shook his head. “It’s more important that we get you somewhere safe.”
“I guess you’re right. The sheriff will be able to help both of us.”
He shook his head vehemently. “The sheriff won’t be able to stop those guys back there. They opened fire in a public place. I wouldn’t be surprised if they killed off every one of the people in there so they wouldn’t leave any witnesses.”
The blood drained from her face. “You really think they’d do that?”
He made a face. One that clearly said she was an idiot if she didn’t understand what had just happened in front of her. “Do you have any idea what Tucker was involved in?”
Her brows furrowed.
He let out a sigh and dragged a hand down his face. “He sells drugs, Jessica. And not the legal stuff. Pills and all that other hardcore stuff. I’ve seen him selling outside the diner a few times.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re wrong.”
“How can you not know?”
Jessica sat back in her seat and folded her arms. “You don’t know anything. Tucker had his flaws, but he loved me.”
Ian’s features hardened, but he didn’t say another word. He went back to staring out into the darkness. There were no other cars on the road. Not one taillight in front of them nor a set of headlights behind them.
“I think you got away. Now we can turn around and go talk to the sheriff.”
“Didn’t you hear a word I said? Those guys are drug dealers. Your boyfriend was one of their distributors. He probably got killed because he had a big mouth and didn’t know when to keep it shut. Our local sheriff won’t be able to keep you safe.”
“And you think you can?” she spat angrily at Ian. “I don’t even know you—other than your choice in food. With how small this town is, you’d think that was an impossibility. But for all I know, you’re some abusive freak who takes joy in other people’s pain.”
If it was possible, it looked like Ian’s grip tightened further on the steering wheel. His jaw twitched and his brows lowered over his eyes. She scooted closer to her door. That was the wrong thing to say. She should have kept her mouth shut. To be honest, Ian had been nothing but respectful every time he came in. He was even her best tipper. He always sat in her section, and even though he was quiet and barely said more than his order, he didn’t look like the type of guy who would hurt her.
But appearances could be deceiving. She’d learned that the hard way. She swallowed hard. “I’m sorry.”
He didn’t say anything.
“I’d really like to go back now. We just left my car and my phone—”
“You don’t want your phone.” His tone was low, almost a growl. She must have really hit a nerve.
“Of course I do. If my mom hears what happened, she’s going to be sick with worry. She’ll think I’m dead. I couldn’t do that to her.”
