Page 50 of Near Miss

Sophia let out a terrified screech as the other car swerved, tapping her front bumper. The wheel jerked left, and her Prius skidded along the guardrail with a nails-on-chalkboard shriek of metal grinding against metal. Her senses narrowed to a slow-motion reel of her car’s momentum as she wrenched the wheel to the right and pumped her brakes.

The Prius skidded to a stop back in the right lane.

She sat in stunned silence before her lungs screamed for air, and tension escaped through harsh, gasping breaths. She shoved her gear into Park with trembling fingers, her body quaking.

That had been too close.

Her gaze lifted to the windshield. The silver car was stopped a short distance ahead, the beams from its headlights illuminating the next curve. All of a sudden, its reverse lights came on, cold white malevolent orbs aimed at Sophia.

The contents of her clutch lay strewn in every direction. She unlatched her seatbelt and pawed through the items on the floorboard: lipstick, driver’s license, tissues, business cards, ballpoint pen.

Where was her phone?

Lights glowed on the other side of the embankment through a steep thicket of pines, a beacon of civilization and safety. She’d probably break her ankle or worse, trying to navigate the heavily wooded, sloping terrain in the dark.

Her head shot up to peer over the dashboard. The Beamer continued its reverse course in her direction. Slowly, as if the driver were intentionally ramping up her fear.

She toed off her pumps and shoved at the driver’s door.

It wouldn’t budge.

Come on!Her mind flashed back to Lachlan, his mouth exploring hers, his caresses scorching her body, his skillful fingers bringing her to ecstasy.

Whatever happened, he would be the last image in her head.

The silver car was now directly in front of her. The driver’s door swung open, and a jean-clad leg ending in a tan combat boot landed on the pavement.

The shivers wracking Sophia disappeared, replaced by a strange sort of calm. If this was the end, she wasn’t going out without a fight. She snatched the ballpoint off the floormat and gripped it in her palm like an icepick. It might work as a weapon.

As long as her assailant didn’t have a gun.

A sudden beam of light hit her rear windshield, lighting up the interior.

Car.Gripping her door handle, she threw her shoulder against her door until it finally gave way, dumping her onto the road.

Ignoring her stinging knees, she scrambled to her feet and waved her arms. “Help! Help me! Please!”

The approaching car’s headlights blinded her, and she could only pray the driver saw her in time. She’d take her chances of getting hit rather than let the vehicle pass, leaving her alone with a man who probably meant to kill her.

Brakes screeched, echoing loudly against the surrounding trees. Sophia slammed her eyes shut and waited for impact. When none came, she cautiously opened one lid.

Behind her, the silver car’s engine revved, its tires squealing as it fishtailed away. The sound nearly brought her to her knees as relief drained the last of her adrenaline.

“Sophia? What happened? Are you okay?”

Jared.

He exited his dark silver Lexus, mere feet from her back bumper.

“Thank God—that car—he wanted to hurt me.” She stumbled into Jared’s arms, her words a panicked jumble.

He held her, murmuring assurances until her ragged breaths evened enough for her to realize she was clinging to her boss’s waist, her head on his chest, the scent in her nose a mix of citrus and spice rather than pine. She gently extricated herself and stepped back.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He stooped to peer into her eyes when she wouldn’t look up, then glanced at her car.

“I am now.” She twisted to stare at the space where the Beamer had been. “Whoever that was, I think he meant to hurt me.” She took a deep inhale to steady the tremble in her voice.

“Another one of Lachlan’s acquaintances, perhaps?” Jared snapped.

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