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Rain pounded.

Lauren Taylor gripped the steering wheel and squinted through a backwash of water battering the Jaguar’s windshield. Behind her headlights pierced the veil of water. 

The large vehicle raced toward her bumper, swerving over the yellow line. Someone in a hurry? A drunk? 

Her muscles tensed. “Check out that driver behind us.”

Her father, Stephen peered into the side mirror. “Christ, he’s driving like a maniac. He’s all over the place.”

Her gaze darted back to the road ahead, then to the rear view mirror. She straightened her shoulders, and gripped the wheel. “He’s crazy to drive like that in this weather.”

If this guy was in such a big hurry, she’d get out of his way. She downshifted the car, steered onto the side of road and stopped. A few seconds later, the van raced by.  A swell of water pelted her car. “He’s really flying.”

Ahead, taillights quickly faded. Relieved, and with a quick glimpse in the mirror, she steered the car back onto the road.  

Her father repositioned himself in the leather seat and stretched his legs. “Hey, the Law Society’s dinner is next week. You going?”

God, the dinner. She had a four hundred dollar dress for the occasion, a navy Lagerfield, and even toyed with the idea of having her long brown hair cut into something more sophisticated—polished.

“I’ll have to double check my schedule.”

“Not good enough. I want you there, Lauren. My yearly chance to show you off, do some major bragging.”

She couldn’t help but smile. How could she say no? “Okay dad. I’ll be there.”

“And don’t forget to bring a date for protection. There’ll be dancing after dinner. Don’t want a bunch of drunken, seedy lawyers groping you on the dance floor.”

Her smile faded.

The annual dinner dance four years before. She’d never forgotten a single detail. Mariah Carey’s Emotions played while Eric held her tight in his arms. The scent of his cologne had intoxicated her. How his lips felt gentle against hers, how his mouth devoured her willing lips, then pulled away. And had left her mouth burning for more.

A loud crack of thunder forced her attention back to reality.  In the distance she saw the sign to Hyde Park, New York. Not much longer and they’d be out of this horrible weather.

The whining squeal of an engine roared from behind.

She glanced over her shoulder. “That van’s back.”

She clicked on the turning signal, slowed and steered onto the exit ramp. Her gaze darted back to the side mirror. Headlights raced toward her. She clenched the steering wheel.

“I’m calling the police.” Her father snatched his cell phone from the glove box. “Damn it.  No signal."  

“Keep trying, Dad.”

From the mirror Lauren watched the driver gun his engine. The van’s grill grew massive, like a powerful monster ready to swallow her car.

Close.

Too close.

Metal connected. The van shoved the Jag ahead like a dinky toy. 

The car skidded and careened sideways.

Hit the brakes.

Useless.

The van rammed the back of the car.

“What the hell?” The cell phone flew from her father’s hand and landed at his feet.

The seatbelt choked her shoulder.  Her head smacked the headrest, then jerked forward.

Like a sling shot the Jag shot across the slick road out of control.  She slammed on the brakes. The car slid a half circle. A tidal wave of water washed over the vehicle, drowning her vision...