Page 40 of Baited

What the hell did she have to lose? She punched his number in then pulled out onto the highway.

“Hello?”

“Ethan, its Riley.”

He chuckled. His laugh warmed her body, and pushed away the anxiety of the drive. “I know it’s you. How was your visit?”

“It was good. I’m on my way home now.” She kept her eyes glued to the road. The headlights caught the shimmer from the rain. A set of lights caught her rearview mirror, making her squint against the glare.

“Do you want to get together and chat?” His voice dropped to a low, husky timber. Her heart rate kicked up.

Oh god. Yes, yes, she did. After Ethan’s display of affection the past couple of days, it was clear where his thoughts were going. He may intend to keep his promise, but did he have another agenda?

“I—” The vehicle behind her closed the distance between them. The headlights blasted into her mirrors, she accelerated to give her more space. The car jerked forward, its bumper nearly in contact with hers. “Go around me, asshole.”

“What’s going on?” Ethan’s voice boomed through the speakers in her car. “Nothing, just some jerk riding my ass. He won’t pass me though,” she breathed. The rain hadn’t let up, and she was driving at a safe speed, but not slow enough to warrant this persistence.

“Tap your brakes.”

She snorted. “I can’t, he’ll slam into me.”

“He’s that close?”

“Yeah.” Her voice shook. Her knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. She punched the hazard light button with her index finger.

He didn’t slow or pass. Instead, he got closer.

Acid crept up the back of her throat. “Ethan, I think he’s trying to scare me.”

“Where are you?” She told him exactly.

“Stay on the line with me, don’t disconnect no matter what, okay? I’m going to meet you and follow you home.”

“Okay.” Relief washed over her. Disconnect him? Not on his life. The lights whipped to the side, a scream caught in her throat.

Vrooooom!

The lights reflected off her driver’s side mirror. He was going to pass her. The truck shot forward next to her.

“I think he’s passing me.” Her foot eased off the gas. She adjusted her hands on the wheel and exhaled. Her chest tightened on the release of breath.

“I’m already in the car. I’ll flash my lights when I see you.”

The truck flew up beside her. Its passenger door in line with her driver’s door. He didn’t pass. Her back straightened away from the leather seat.

“Ethan, he’s—”

Crash!

The steering wheel tore from her grip. Her car careened toward the side of the road. A scream ripped through her. Her hands tightened on the wheel and she yanked the car back onto the road.

“What happened?” Ethan’s voice crackled around her.

A whimper sounded from her throat. “H–He slammed into me!”

Ethan swore. The truck jerked to the left, she stomped on the gas just as he threw it to the right. He caught the rear of her car and her vehicle fishtailed before she righted it. Her grip kept the car on the road.

“He’s going to kill me.” The words landed in the empty air of the car. Her hands shook on the steering wheel. The truck weaved back in behind her. Its bumper nudged her forward.

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