THREE

      Tessa opened her mouth but the scream stuck in her throat. As the Jeep veered closer and closer to the edge of the mountain, her life flashed before her eyes. Her regrets. Her time apart from her loved ones. Everything she’d been through over the past year.

      She didn’t want things to end this way.

      God, please! It was the second time today she’d found herself praying, something she hadn’t done in months. Maybe it was time to change that.

      Suddenly, the Jeep righted itself. Before three seconds had even passed, she felt Trent press the gas again. They accelerated down the road, her heart pounding radically out of control with each second of forward motion.

      She looked over her shoulder just in time to see the car behind them swerve. The tires screeched before the horrible sound of metal hitting metal filled the air.

      Her eyes squeezed shut as the vehicle charged over the edge of the cliff.

      Tessa felt the color drain from her face as a sick feeling gurgled in her stomach.

      “You okay?” Trent stole a glance her way.

      She nodded, still shaky and queasy. “I guess.”

      “At least they’re not following us anymore.”

      “That’s one positive.” She couldn’t think of many. She’d been plucked from her obscure life and into a nightmare. Now she was hanging on for dear life on a thrill ride she’d never wanted to be a part of.

      Someone was clearly trying to send a message.

      She’d been discovered, and now she was in a Jeep with a stranger who might or might not be trying to kill her. For all she knew, this man was a part of this elaborate scheme. Maybe his plan involved earning her trust just so he could stab her in the back. Some people got their kicks that way.

      Just then Trent pulled off the main road and onto a smaller one. They snaked through the mountains, turning a couple more times before they reached a driveway similar to the steep, narrow one that had led to her own cabin.

      She didn’t ask questions, though her mind raced as she tried to process everything. She needed a plan, just in case things turned ugly. She’d have to take her chances and run if this man turned out to be a thug. The woods were more survivable during the day when she could see what was coming. She’d even risk plunging herself into the wilderness at nighttime if she had to. It wasn’t ideal. But she’d do that before she surrendered.

      The man stopped in front of three cabins, cut the engine and turned to stare at her.

      When he didn’t say anything, she cleared her throat. “Where are we?”

      He nodded toward the closest cabin. “This is where I’m staying while I’m in town. I rented all three.”

      “All three? Why did you do that?” Was it because he’d brought others with him? Because he wasn’t a one-man operation, as he’d claimed? She felt as if the wool had been pulled over her eyes again.

      “I just saved your life. Maybe you can stop thinking the worst of me,” Trent said.

      Her throat tightened at his easy assessment of her. “Why would you say that?”

      “Your feelings are written all over your face. And to answer your questions, I rented all three cabins to lessen the chance that anyone would find me or ask questions. I paid in cash. The only person who should know I’m here lives in Texas. He keeps these for friends to use during hunting season.”

      Despite his explanation, Tessa rubbed her arms, realizing just how isolated she was out here. Trent could kill her, dispose of her body and no one would find her for weeks. “I see.”

      “Let’s go inside and talk.” Trent’s voice left no room for argument.

      He started to get out, but Tessa froze where she was, fight or flight kicking in. Once she left the safe confines of the car, there was no going back. Was this really a good idea?

      “Tessa?” He paused and stared at her, peering into the open door.

      “What about those men who followed us?” She replayed the bullets, the chase, the car going over the cliff.

      “They’re dead. We have some time.”

      “Who are they?” she whispered, realizing the timing in all of this. It couldn’t be coincidental that Trent had showed up on the very day she’d been discovered by Leo’s men.

      “I was hoping you could tell me.”

      “All of this trouble didn’t start until you arrived.”

      “Please, come inside so we can talk.” His voice softened, almost as if she was exhausting him.

      She shook her head, still needing more reassurance. “I could be walking into a trap.”

      “I’d love to tell you more. But we’re safer inside.”

      Finally, she nodded. She was only biding her time right now. Trent could easily overpower her if he wanted to. He was simply being polite at the moment.

      Nausea rose in her gut as he led her to a cabin. Was she out of her mind doing this? What other choice did she have? If she hadn’t willingly come, no doubt Trent would have found a way to drag her here against her will.

      Still, a small part of her wanted to hear what he had to say.

      After all, he’d mentioned her mom. He’d had opportunity to kill her already and he hadn’t done it.

      Lord, if You’re there and if You’re listening, please be with me. Give me wisdom.

      Even though she knew her words probably fell on deaf ears, hope pricked her heart. Right now she wanted to believe again, and that was more than she’d felt in a long time. Funny the things desperation could do to a person.