"Yeah, but I was her big sister." She paused, her voice thick. "I shouldn't have been the one to get away."

"I get that." Ken looked out the window. "You're the only one in the office I've told about what happened to Tiana.

Nicky paused. She didn't know that. But Ken was far from an open book, so that made sense. Working with Ken had changed her opinion of him. He'd always seemed to aggressive and rude in the office, and in many ways, petty and jealous. But that wasn't Ken Walker at all. Like her, he was in this to save lives, maybe to repent for the people they both couldn't save.

"I won't tell anyone about your story," Nicky said. "It's between us."

He nodded. "Thanks, Lyons."

Ken fell silent, and the rest of the ride was quiet as well. But Nicky was too wound up. She fiddled with the radio, trying to find a station that wasn't playing any bad music. She finally settled on a classic rock station, which was playing "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence.

She seemed to always choose songs that brought up memories.

She glanced over at Ken, who was still listening to the radio. He looked grim and detached, with his eyes on the road. She wondered if he ever went off into his own world, like hers. Into a world where his friend was still alive. A world that hurt in the most addictive way.

Quietly, Nicky continued driving down the long, dark road, and hoped this one would lead to absolution for herself, Ken--and Meghan.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

His hands trembled against the wheel of the car.

Everything was going horribly wrong.

He couldn't believe it. Not only had his last fiancé failed her vows, but now he had nowhere to get rid of her. Until he disposed of his last pathetic excuse for a bride, then he couldn't give his true love the ceremony she deserved. He was nothing, if not faithful.

He was back on the highway now, and his ex-bride was still in the trunk, still kicking, still screaming. In backseat behind him, gagged and bound, was his new woman, his new love.

He had the jitters as he met her bulging eyes in the rear-view mirror. "Don't worry, dear! I told you I'd get rid of her. I promise!"

She made some noise through her gag. He was disappointing her. No, no, he couldn't do that.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart! I promise she'll be gone, and we can be together!"

His true love only cried more. He hated seeing her in pain.

He punched the steering wheel. Damn it! He needed to get rid of his ex-bride, who was causing his new bride so much pain. He turned on the radio for the fourth time in as many minutes, but there was no news to report. He tried to relax, but the slightest movement only caused the screaming in the trunk to increase.