Page 2 of Deadly Promise
“Seasoned hunter, looking for more challenging prey to kill,” Hayden said. “Crossbow through the forehead.”
“Isolated hermit in need of human meat for a special recipe.” Teagan swallowed, glancing away from the blinding lights. “Front bumper breaking every bone.”
Please be a douchebag who doesn’t stop to help strangers.
The roaring engine quieted into an idling purr, fog lights replacing headlights. Instead of hauling ass like they had an ounce of self-preservation, Teagan and Hayden turned around and stood there, clearly welcoming their demise.
A massive black pickup idled on the shoulder of the road, Teagan imagining the entrance to hell was just beyond the driver’s door.
Jump in for a free ride, stay for the fiery damnation.
Teagan snickered.
Hayden glanced at him with a puzzled expression.
“Monster truck rally announcement.” Teagan tapped his temple. “It’s a goddamn mess up there right now.”
The driver’s door opened. A stranger unfolded from the cab like a switchblade, impossibly long legs appearing first, stylish black boots planting on the ground.
Teagan’s jaw dropped when the stranger eased the rest of the way out, revealing a silhouette so tall and muscular the truck should’ve groaned as he exited.
Instinctively, Teagan stepped sideways with the need to hide behind Hayden.
His jacket hung open, revealing a black T-shirt pulled taut across a chest broad enough to take a nap on, a jaw carved from granite, and the thickest, prettiest lashes Teagan was envious of.
The eye color remained a mystery with the angle of the guy’s head.
He was a smoking-hot skyscraper, and Teagan was going to look away before Hayden caught him eye-fucking the stranger. Which shouldn’t have been a concern since he noticed his boyfriend was staring just as hard.
When Teagan finally managed to look up, he found himself staring at a face that belonged on a magazine cover—jaw like granite, gorgeous eyes and thick lashes, and eyebrows dark as thunderclouds. Handsome didn’t begin to cover it. Powerful in a way that made Teagan’s knees weak. The stranger’s silky hair completed the image of someone who solved problems with his fists while making you swoon at the same time.
Teagan couldn’t make out the color of his eyes in the dark, but he felt the weight of that gaze like a physical pressure. He was six-and-a-half feet of pure intimidation. We’re so dead.
“That your beige sedan I just passed? The man’s voice rumbled so deep Teagan felt it in his ribcage before his ears registered the sound.
Hayden stepped forward despite Teagan trying to yank him back. “Yeah. Just cut off while I was driving. I looked under the hood then remembered I know dick about fixing cars. You heading into town? We’re late for work.”
Oh hell no! Hayden did not just ask for a ride from a guy they knew absolutely nothing about. Gorgeous men were the most unhinged. This entire situation screamed danger. Serial killer. Body parts in freezers. Missing persons reports.
“Exactly where I’m headed. Hop in and I’ll give you two a ride.”
Said the spider to the flies.
“I’m not ending up a cold-case file,” he hissed under his breath. No goddamn way Teagan was stepping a foot closer to that truck. Hayden had lost his ever-loving mind. “We don’t even know him.”
Crossing his arms, Teagan dug in his heels. He wasn’t going to volunteer for his own death. If he was about to die, the bastard would have to work for it.
* * * *
With a deep scowl, Teagan sat wedged between Hayden and the behemoth, pissed off he’d rushed to the truck when he heard twigs snapping. Each bump in the road threatened to press him against the driver’s massive frame. But Teagan inched even closer to Hayden, ticked at the situation.
While praying they survived.
“I’m Hayden, and this is Teagan. We really appreciate the lift,” Hayden said in a friendly tone as Teagan sat there struggling not to glance at the driver. As the trees blurred past, a strange flutter in his belly formed.
“Name’s Liam,” the man said with a single nod. “No problem. Walking a road at night can be dangerous, especially if you’re not wearing anything reflective.”
Teagan leaned toward Liam’s deep, silken voice, each syllable an intimate caress.
