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Then he gives me a look, a promise in his eyes of what’s going to happen the second he stops his truck at the ranch.

We’re halfway back to Copper Run Ranch when Cole abruptly takes a turnoff on the right side of the road. The highway soon turns unfamiliar and desolate.

I stare at him, my heart skipping beats in my chest, and I sit up straighter. “What’s wrong?”

“Taking a back road,” he says and checks the rearview.

We drive a few more seconds in silence, then Cole curses under his breath. “Fuck.”

“Cole? What’s happening?”

“We’re being followed.”

“What?” I twist in my seat to see a white van. It keeps a distance between us, but when Cole accelerates, it does too.

Anger leaks into his voice. “I saw the van last month in town, and then today turning into the alleyway.”

Sammy’s words come back to me. If you don’t run, Delilah, you are next.

“It’s following me.” My skin prickles in dread. I don’t understand what any of this means.

Cole’s eyes flash when they meet mine. “I’m going to keep you safe, Delilah. Understand?”

“Yes,” I say, my voice breathy but sure. Nothing but trust in Cole and his words.

His gaze travels back to the rearview mirror.

He’s furious. It’s written all over his rugged face, the tense way he grips the steering wheel, the white of his knuckles.

“Hold on, darlin’.” He grips the stick shift and jams his boot on the gas.

“Cole, what—”

I scream as the truck is violently rocked. Punched by the reverberation, I lurch forward, held back only by the seat belt.

“Fuck.” Cole slams on the brakes and jerks the wheel to right the truck as it fishtails all over the road. My hand flies to my throat to grip my locket.

Another attack as the van slams into the driver’s side. There’s the groan of metal, the crunch of glass. The truck spins and the air evaporates from my lungs. The world tilts as we take a stomach-lurching nosedive into the ditch.

“Delilah!” Cole’s roar is desperate, ragged, and then—

The truck rocks to a halt. The world blinks in and out as I fight to make sense of it all, to stay conscious.

My ears ring with a terrible pounding. Blurry surroundings come into focus. I cry out in pain as I lift my head.

Cole.

I turn in the seat and gasp.

Unmoving, he’s slumped over the steering wheel. His black Stetson’s slid off to rest on the dash. Blood runs down the side of his face.

“Oh my god, Cole.” Glass crunches as I shift in my seat. Fumbling, I undo my seat belt. Tears form in my eyes as I shove his broad shoulder. “Wake up, please wake up.”

Cole doesn’t say a word.

Panic grips my spine and my muscles lock up.

Please don’t be dead, please.