Page 5 of Saint

I’m in a white, long-sleeved sweater and shorts. I’ve paired it with fishnets that provide no protection from the chill of the night air. It’s rare I try to be sexy or exciting with my outfits, and as goosebumps prickle my legs, I can’t help but wish I hadn’t tried tonight.

“It is for some.” The stranger responds when Liam doesn’t, and his voice sends a shiver up my spine.

I roll my shoulders back, trying not to let him see I’m nervous. “So what are you? An anti-Cupid or something?”

“Or something.”

I roll my eyes, unable to help it. “How creative.”

Liam releases the steering wheel to plant his hand on my bare leg, squeezing a little harder than necessary. “Chill, Violet. You’re being a bitch.”

I glare at Liam. Because it’s not my fault that he picked up a serial killer on the side of the road, and I’m the only one of us who is smart enough not to try to make friends with him. But Liam tightens his grip on my thigh, and it’s clearly a warning to be quiet, so I swallow my irritation.

I’m not letting this go, but I don’t feel like getting into an argument with my boyfriend when there are worse possible threats in the backseat. A united front is our safest option.

“Sorry.” I bite the inside of my cheek, glancing back at the stranger.

He doesn’t answer. And still, even if I can’t see his eyes, I feel them watching me.

Liam takes another hard turn and the car jerks. A loud pop rings out into the forest, and Liam has to grip the steering wheel to keep control of the car.

“Fuck.”

“What was that?” I grip the armrest as the car starts to swerve.

“I don’t know.” Liam slows the car and pulls us off to the side of the road.

“Was that the engine?” I sit upright to see if any smoke is coming from it. “Or a tire—”

“Violet.” My name makes me jump as Liam practically yells it. “Shut the fuck up for five seconds so I can think. I don’t know.”

The car rolls to a stop, and Liam climbs out, slamming the door behind him. He circles to the front driver’s side tire, crouching down to look at it, and I’m frozen in place. It’s one thing for him to be an asshole, but I refuse to sit here and let him yell at me.

Movement in the backseat catches my attention, reminding me that I’m not alone in the car and that Liam just left me with the masked stranger.

He leans forward, and I’m suddenly very aware of every inch of space he closes. His pine scent floods my nostrils, and my skin prickles. If we weren’t in danger already, now that we’re stranded, I have no doubt this just got worse.

I glance down at my purse, sitting on the floor. There’s no easy way to grab my phone and call for help if thingsgo sideways. And even if my boots don’t have heels, they aren’t fit for running.

“Violet.”

The way my name rolls from the stranger’s mouth makes my core clench. It rattles around something unfamiliar in my chest.

He leans in closer, almost brushing my shoulder as he looks me over. “Why do you let him speak to you like that?”

His question catches me off guard, so I turn my face to his. I stare into those neon blue Xs that hide his real eyes and wonder why he cares.

“He’s just frustrated,” I defend Liam.

Like I always do. A byproduct of not feeling like I’m good enough for him—or anyone, for that matter.

“Is that what you tell yourself?” The stranger leans closer, resting his hand on the back of Liam’s seat so we’re almost face-to-face. “That you’re less important than his possessions?”

“I—” I don’t know how to answer that question.

Iamless important than Liam’s possessions. At least in his eyes.

The stranger hums when I don’t respond, leaning back again. But even if he creates some physical distance, I can’t ignore the pine scent he leaves behind, like the forest of energy surrounding him. A step into his darkness, and it’s a void I can’t find my way out of.

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