My heart slammed against my ribs.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said with more strength than I felt. I kept my eyes on his, my chin up. I was scared, but I wasn’t going to let him see any of that.
“Oh, Rowan,” he tutted, shaking a finger at me.
In my head I was counting the miles back to the ranch. The miles to the road. And the miles to the police station. But I already knew there was no chance I would make it to any of them before he caught up with me.
“What do you want from me?” I demanded, forcing my voice to stay steady.
“Just to talk.” He cocked his head to one side, examining me. “You’re prettier than I imagined. I’d like to keep it that way, if I can.”
A chill ran down my spine, the threat obvious. “I have nothing to say to you. And you’re on private land, so I suggest you get the hell off it, now, before I call the cops.”
I scrunched my hands up in my lap, my nails biting into my palms. The pain was good though. It kept me steady, and calmer than I felt.
The man’s smile crawled higher up his face. “That wouldn’t be a good idea.”
I narrowed my eyes and unclenched my teeth. “I have things to do, so get off my land before I make you.”
He pursed his lips and sighed. “You’re about to learn why your father’s mistakes didn’t die with him.”
A knot formed in my stomach at the accusation, and the threat. My thoughts scrambled for purchase on any memory that might explain what this man was talking about.
My fear fed into my resolve and gave me a surge of strength. “My father didn’t make mistakes,” I snapped, “I think it’s you that’s mistaken.”
Another pause.
“Oh, Rowan,” he said with a heavy sigh, “what is it with your family always wanting to do things the hard way.”
The way he said my name made my blood run cold.
“You don’t scare me. This ismyland.My property!”
My hands trembled in my lap, and before I could stop myself, I gripped the wheel and revved my engine.
What the hell was I thinking?
“You’re making this harder than it needs to be. I promise this won’t end well for you. Or for the Kings.” The man chuckled and walked back to his SUV and climbed in. He flashed its headlights twice and leaned out of his window. “Be sure to tell them you had a visitor. In fact, I believe they’re out looking for you right now.”
Then he roared past, gravel spraying against my truck. For a split second I saw the man behind the wheel close up—dark sunglasses, a calm smile, dark hair. There was nothing spectacular about him and I knew I could walk past him in the street and I likely wouldn’t recognize him again.
Then he was gone, the black SUV disappearing down the highway in a cloud of dust. Just like that.
“What the hell is going on?” I whispered, loosening my grip on the wheel.
My phone buzzed again, and this time I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed it.
“Unless you’re going to tell me exactly what you want, stop calling me!”
“Rowan?” Tex’s voice barked down the phone, and relief washed through me so fast my chest hurt.
“It’s me, it’s me,” I said, my voice breathy as the realization of what just happened hit me and I gripped the phone tighter.
Tex’s voice was sharp and tense. “Where are you? Who are you talking to?”
“I’m just south of the main road,” I said, still trying to catch my breath. “Someone was following me. They forced me to pull over.”
There was a beat of silence before he spoke again, his voice lower, deeper, like he was struggling to contain his anger. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
