Page 34 of The Last Good Man

It’s an authentic country retreat with a magnificent lake view about atwo–hourdrive from Manhattan.

I’m in no rush, so I’ll leave around noon.

Planning all that in my head, I don’t even realize a dark car has slowly veered off a long line of parked vehicles before following me with its headlights off.

I only notice it when I reach the next block and check the intersection.

It snags the corner of my eye, and I turn to stone.

The car stops, and its headlightscome on, engulfingme in a bright glow.

Flashing their headlights, the person behind the steering wheel signals to me.

Gesturing, I invite the driver to enter the intersection and leave me alone.

The car pulls up next to me, and the window goesdown,just as its racing stripes shine brightly, burning into my brain.

“Need a ride home, babe?”

A dark-haired man with piercing eyes, green like money and just as dangerous, gives me a triumphant grin.

MELODY

I stare at him, lost for words.

I’m shocked and mesmerized by his audacity.

A smell of smoke, cologne, and vintage leather wafts to me.

He looks relaxed, his left hand resting on the steering wheel, the other draped over the back of the front passenger seat.

“How dare you?” I shoot in a cold voice, struggling to tear my eyes away from his devilishly good looks.

“Ohhh…”

His laughter floats in the air, and I gesture to him to keep it quiet.

Ignoring me, he revs up his engine, and the thick rumbling noise is back.

“Don’t do this,” I say while he elicits even more power with the brakes held.

“Get into the car,” he says in a voice that leaves no room for debate while flicking his head toward the passenger seat.

I take a look at his sports car.

Common sense says never to get into a stranger’s car, especially when that stranger is someone like him.

He pushes his foot against the floor, and stoic, I erase the space between us.

“Just stop doing that,” I snap, sliding into the seat next to him.

The cargoes quietwhile he leans over and closes the passenger side door.

Half-leaning over me, he invades my space with his scent and presence.

His skin is imbued with a smell of danger and testosterone, and I become one with my seat, waiting for him to straighten up and let me breathe for a change.

“Relax.You’re not in danger with me,” he says, moving to his side and checking the rearview mirror.

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