The sound sends a jolt through me, every nerve suddenly on edge. My shoulders tense instinctively as I glance over my shoulder. A car’s headlights slice through the darkness, illuminating the gravel-strewn alley in cold white light. My stomach twists as I recognize the sleek outline of Jaxon’s black car rolling slowly up behind me. The tension coils tighter in my chest as I turn fully to face it. The passenger window slides down.
“Get in,” Jaxon says, his tone flat and commanding.
I stop walking but don’t reply immediately, narrowing my eyes at him instead. Shadows partially obscure his face, but there’s no mistaking his expression under the dash lights—the set jawline, the piercing gaze that seems to pin me in place even from several feet away. My pulse quickens for reasons I can’t quit
