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I move backward until I hit the wall and wrap my arms around myself. Unable to look at him right now, I shake my head and lower it as the tears start to fall.

“The fire between us while we kiss is why I would kill for you, Annie,” he growls. “Because no one has ever made me feel the way you do.”

“I don’t want a relationship with you. I can never be with a killer,” I whisper hoarsely. My arms tighten around my waist, and I hunch my shoulders. “So you might as well let me go.”

I feel the air move, and when I lift my head slightly, Rowan’s already right in front of me. When he lifts his hands to my face, I pinch my eyes shut. His fingers brush over my cheeks, wiping away the tears, then he presses a kiss to my forehead.

Pulling back, his voice is calm again as he says, “I’ll never let you go.” He points at the bed. “Get some sleep. I think you’ll feel much better afterward.”

I doubt that very much.

Chapter 17

Rowan

Annie hasn’t spoken a word since our falling-out in the motel room.

Even though she got into bed, she didn’t sleep much. The fear is gone from her eyes, but she looks exhausted.

She didn’t even bat an eye when we stopped in Crane to swap the Impala for an old pickup truck.

The ride starts to get bumpy, and she grabs hold of the door and braces her other hand on the seat between us.

I slow down so it’s not as bad, and as the sun sets, I steer the truck deep into the desert until the land opens so wide around us it feels unreal.

Only once it’s dark do I park the truck in the direction we came from and switch off the engine. I kill the headlights and get out of the cab. Annie doesn’t move, and when I open her door, she reluctantly climbs out.

Then she glances up, and her lips part, a look of wonder settling on her face.

For a moment, I stare at how breathtaking she looks as she admires the Milky Way.

Reaching into the cab, I grab the two bags I need from the footwell, and jumping onto the truck bed, I lay one of the blankets out and say, “Come, Annie.”

I hold out my hand to help her up, but she ignores it and climbs on by herself. My eyes drift over her as I roll one of the spare sweatpants up and put it down so she can use it for a pillow.

Running out of strength, I lie down and bend my arm under my head. My breathing slows as I look up at the Milky Way, a white river of stars cutting across the black.

That’s probably what my life looked like when Annie crossed my path. She’s a streak of light slashed through the darkness I live in.

How could I let go of her light after feeling her warmth?

I can do a lot, but not that.

With the smell of dust and salt being carried on a cool breeze, everything feels too open.

I’m used to watching for danger, but as the metal grooves of the truck bed dig into my back, there’s only the vast space and Annie.

Closing my eyes, I listen to her breaths and focus on the calm energy she still gives off, even though she’s upset.

My body slowly relaxes, and when I drift off, I remain aware of the distance between Annie and me. Whenever she moves, I’m hauled back from slipping under before I drift again.

The pattern repeats itself until she lies down beside me, and I feel her shivering.

Opening my eyes, I glance at her. “There’s another blanket in the bag by your feet.”

“Thank God!”

She darts up and pulls it out. I don’t think she’s aware of what she’s doing when she covers both of us. Either that or she’s just so kind she can’t help but care about others.