The frigid air whipped my messy hair into my face. I swiped the locks from my eyes, standing on the sidewalk as I watched my Good Samaritan wheel away in her SUV. I was surprised she’d let me into her pristine ride, considering how my sneakers were caked in mud from hiking through the soggy fields surrounding the barn. I must have spent forty-five minutes walking before I found the highway, and another half hour waiting until someone picked me up. The whole time, I’d agonized over Rafe finding me…and agonized over whether or not I wanted him to.

Shivering in my hoodie that was barely thick enough to ward off a breeze, let alone temperatures this low, I dug my phone out and stared at the blank screen. I’d shut the thing off during my trek through the fields, afraid that Rafe would call, and I’d lose my nerve to flee.

Even now, I was scared to turn it back on—not that I had anyone I could call to pick me up. I could call Evelyn, but I hadn’t spoken to her since the day Zach’s phone call had ruined my lunch with her. Besides, dragging anyone into this situation was selfish. My therapist was the only person I felt comfortable enough to talk to. Sandra would offer an unbiased ear—unbiased except for where the law was concerned. If I unloaded everything on her, she’d insist on contacting the police, and sure, they’d arrest my brother. But what about Rafe? He was participating in illegal fighting. I wouldn’t be the reason he went back to jail. Never again.

But something needed to change because I couldn’t go on like this anymore. I was lost, a wanderer inside my life, herded along by the will of others, and it needed to stop.

I spotted a coffee shop less than a block away, and my stomach grumbled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten yet. As I hurried down the sidewalk, that cafe called to me with the warmth it offered. I entered, letting out a relieved sigh, and rubbed my hands together while I waited in line to order a cappuccino and something sinful to nibble on.

The young guy behind the counter was too swamped with customers to pay extra attention to me, which suited me fine. Settling at a small table in the corner away from other people, I bit into a pastry, sipped from my steaming cappuccino, and wished for the power of invisibility. I needed my car so I could get the hell out of Dodge.

Because thinking with a clear head was impossible around Rafe. He hypnotized me with his presence, with the way he played my body as if I were his personal instrument. At that moment, surrounded by normal people enjoying their Sunday in a coffee shop, escaping the chill of winter, I realized how badly I was reeling.