Free Heat Flash by Taylor Anne Page B
Authors: Taylor Anne
phone calls. Someone was trying to get her attention and the slashed tires were definitely a scare tactic. “Thanks again for putting your trust in me to handle your business relations.”
An eerie cold gripped Kendall’s throat as she pulled away and headed toward her home across town. The short drive from Art and Edith’s shop to the interstate was hectic with afternoon traffic. A horn blared behind her, jolting her thoughts back to the task of driving and away from maniacal stalkers. She forced the edgy feeling down and let the elation of securing another client fill her with happiness.
Pulling off the interstate, she picked up her cell to call Layla and give her the good news. Before she could dial, a blur of activity through the back windshield caught her attention. She dropped the phone on the seat next to her, putting off the call until later. Several vehicles behind her, a pick-up truck weaved in and out of traffic. By the time the truck pulled off the exit ramp and caught up with her, Kendall was turning onto the long stretch of untraveled road that led to her subdivision.
The dark truck eased up to the rear-end of her Rogue, riding a little closer than necessary. Ice ran through her veins. The driver stayed behind her for several seconds before slacking off and putting a little distance between them. Kendall breathed a sigh of relief. She slowed to make a right hand turn onto Wisteria Lane. As soon as the truck turned behind her, his engine revved and he was on her tail again. Back off, idiot!
Damp palms gripped the steering wheel, trying to hold her vehicle steady. She glanced in her rearview mirror. Dark tint on the windows obscured any chances of identifying the driver. She couldn’t even tell if it was a male or female.
Again, the truck backed off, putting a little space between them. Kendall ran a shaky hand through her hair. Up ahead, the rickety bridge crossing the gulley loomed in the distance, beckoning to her. The old bridge was badly in need of repairs and not wide enough for more than one vehicle. It was nearly impossible for two vehicles to cross side by side. The locals were courteous and knew to take turns on the bridge. But the maniac in the truck was attempting to pull alongside her, which would put them both on the bridge at the same time. Or, it would force her to take the steep ditch to her right. Maybe that was his intent. Run her off the road. Her blood boiled. This made no sense at all. Who could be driving that truck? The same person who slashed her tires? And left dead rats on her doorstep? Why? A shiver inched its way down her spine. She shrieked out loud, pressed the accelerator, and jerked the wheel to the left. The Rogue moved into the middle of the road, forcing the truck to fall back behind her.
“What the hell is your problem, asshole?” On the other side of the bridge, an oncoming car was getting closer. The truck tailing her would plow into her if she stopped to allow the other vehicle to pass over the bridge. Besides, she really didn’t want to be left on this side with a crazy person behind her. Not knowing what else to do, she flashed her lights, hoping the other driver would notice even though it was broad daylight out.
Another quick glance in her rearview showed the truck trying to move alongside her again. Her stomach tightened in knots, and panic rose in her throat. Images of her in the ditch, unconscious for hours flashed through her mind. Someone was going to end up losing control of their vehicle soon, and she didn’t want that someone to be her.
The front of the truck was now even with her back door. Kendall looked ahead to see the oncoming car only seconds away from reaching the bridge. Now or never . She slammed on the brakes and watched as the truck sped past her, barely crossing the bridge before the other car swerved in time to avoid a crash. The small silver car laid on its horn and drove right by Kendall without a backward glance. So much for
An eerie cold gripped Kendall’s throat as she pulled away and headed toward her home across town. The short drive from Art and Edith’s shop to the interstate was hectic with afternoon traffic. A horn blared behind her, jolting her thoughts back to the task of driving and away from maniacal stalkers. She forced the edgy feeling down and let the elation of securing another client fill her with happiness.
Pulling off the interstate, she picked up her cell to call Layla and give her the good news. Before she could dial, a blur of activity through the back windshield caught her attention. She dropped the phone on the seat next to her, putting off the call until later. Several vehicles behind her, a pick-up truck weaved in and out of traffic. By the time the truck pulled off the exit ramp and caught up with her, Kendall was turning onto the long stretch of untraveled road that led to her subdivision.
The dark truck eased up to the rear-end of her Rogue, riding a little closer than necessary. Ice ran through her veins. The driver stayed behind her for several seconds before slacking off and putting a little distance between them. Kendall breathed a sigh of relief. She slowed to make a right hand turn onto Wisteria Lane. As soon as the truck turned behind her, his engine revved and he was on her tail again. Back off, idiot!
Damp palms gripped the steering wheel, trying to hold her vehicle steady. She glanced in her rearview mirror. Dark tint on the windows obscured any chances of identifying the driver. She couldn’t even tell if it was a male or female.
Again, the truck backed off, putting a little space between them. Kendall ran a shaky hand through her hair. Up ahead, the rickety bridge crossing the gulley loomed in the distance, beckoning to her. The old bridge was badly in need of repairs and not wide enough for more than one vehicle. It was nearly impossible for two vehicles to cross side by side. The locals were courteous and knew to take turns on the bridge. But the maniac in the truck was attempting to pull alongside her, which would put them both on the bridge at the same time. Or, it would force her to take the steep ditch to her right. Maybe that was his intent. Run her off the road. Her blood boiled. This made no sense at all. Who could be driving that truck? The same person who slashed her tires? And left dead rats on her doorstep? Why? A shiver inched its way down her spine. She shrieked out loud, pressed the accelerator, and jerked the wheel to the left. The Rogue moved into the middle of the road, forcing the truck to fall back behind her.
“What the hell is your problem, asshole?” On the other side of the bridge, an oncoming car was getting closer. The truck tailing her would plow into her if she stopped to allow the other vehicle to pass over the bridge. Besides, she really didn’t want to be left on this side with a crazy person behind her. Not knowing what else to do, she flashed her lights, hoping the other driver would notice even though it was broad daylight out.
Another quick glance in her rearview showed the truck trying to move alongside her again. Her stomach tightened in knots, and panic rose in her throat. Images of her in the ditch, unconscious for hours flashed through her mind. Someone was going to end up losing control of their vehicle soon, and she didn’t want that someone to be her.
The front of the truck was now even with her back door. Kendall looked ahead to see the oncoming car only seconds away from reaching the bridge. Now or never . She slammed on the brakes and watched as the truck sped past her, barely crossing the bridge before the other car swerved in time to avoid a crash. The small silver car laid on its horn and drove right by Kendall without a backward glance. So much for