“You're going to have to drive off the road and park behind thoses bushes," I instructed Vee.Vee leaned forward, peering into the darkness. "Is that a ditch between me and the bushes ?""It's not very deep. Trust me, we'll clear it.""Looks deep to me. This is a Neon we're talking about, not a Hummer.”

“This place is packed," Vee complained. "Where am I supposed to park?" She steered down an alley and slowed to a stop behind a bookstore. "This looks good. Lots of parking back here.""The sign says employee parking only." "How are they going to know that we aren't employees? The Neon blends right in. All these cars speak low class.""The sign says violators will be towed.""They just say that to scare people like you and me away. It's an empty threat. Nothing to worry about.".......Vee came to a halt. "What is THAT?"We were standing in the parking lot behind the bookstore, a few feet from the Neon, and we were staring at a large piece of metal attached to the left rear tire. "I think it's a car boot," I said."I can see that. What's it doing on my car?""I guess when they say all violators will be towed, they mean it.”

“I dug the untraceable phone Patch had given me out of my handbag and dialled his number."I have a free couple of hours," I told him, walking toward my car, which was parked on the next block. "There's a very dark, very secluded barn in Lookout Hill Park behind the carousel. I could be there in fifteen minutes."I heard the smile in his voice."You want me bad.""I need and an endorphin boost.""And making out in an abandoned barn with me will give you one?""No, it will probably put me in an endorphin coma, and I'm more than happy to test the theory.”

“I have a free couple of hours," I told him, walking toward my car, which was parked on the next block. "There's a very private, very secluded barn in Lookout Hill Park behind the carousel. I could be there in fifteen minutes." I heard the smile in his voice. "You want me bad.”

“What is it with girls?” Elliot said, splitting a smile between us. “I swear, I’ve never known a girl who could go to the bathroom alone.” He leaned forward and grinned conspiratorially. “Let me in on the secret. Seriously. I’ll pay you five bucks each.” He reached for his back pocket. “Ten, if I can come along and see what the big deal is.”

“One last thing," he said. "Stop looking for me.""I'm not looking for you." I scoffed.He touched his index finger to my forehead, my skin absurdly warming under his touch. It didn't escape me that he couldn't seem to stop finding reasons to touch me. Nor did I miss that I didn't want him to stop. "Under all the layers, a part of you remembers. It's the part that came looking for me tonight. It's that part that's going to get you killed, if you're not careful."We stood face-to-face, both of us breathing hard. The sirens were so close now."What am I supposed to tell the police?" I said."You're not going to talk to the police.""Oh, really? Funny, because I plan on telling them exactly how you rammed that tire iron into Gabe's back. Unless you answer my questions."He gave an ironic snort. "Blackmail? You've changed, Angel.”

“I can't imagine why you're so interested."He shook his head. "Interested? We're talking about you. I'm fascinated.”