Franklin had been gone over an hour. I paced across the hardwood floor in the living room, my eyes darting toward the windows every time I heard the slightest of creaks. Rain poured down outside, making it impossible to see further than the front steps and the porch swing that was rattling in the heavy wind.

I hugged my arms to my chest and moved away from the windows. I needed a distraction, something to keep my frantic mind occupied until Franklin got back. Even though he said this place was safe—and even though I believed him—I felt on edge without him by my side.

After perching on the couch, I flicked on the TV. A large screen had been mounted on the wall, stretching across almost the entire surface, like a home movie theater. I scanned through the channels, but nothing was on but soaps, game shows, and the news.

Maybe there would be something on the news about what was happening in Carlsville. It wasn’t every day that the FBI swarmed such a small Tennessee town. I turned up the volume and tried to relax into the couch cushions, but what I saw next shook me to my bones.

“We believe that Garrett Butler is somewhere in the East Tennessee region, though sources say he is currently on the move. He’s driving a black Porsche and has a female in her early twenties with him.”

I leaned forward, my heart beating so hard I could barely breathe. There was both a photo and a drawing on the screen, displayed side by side. The photo was of a man who looked vaguely familiar, arms covered by intricate tattoos I’d been admiring only hours before. And the drawing? It looked just like Franklin.

“Authorities believe that he may have kidnapped this woman.” The pictures flicked away to reveal a dark-haired news reporter shuffling papers at a curving desk. “If anyone has any information about this man, please call the number displayed below. We must repeat the severity of the situation. This is a dangerous man who is wanted for multiple murders. Be safe.”

I held myself frozen to the couch, staring at the screen. The report about Garrett Butler was quickly replaced by a weather update, but I barely saw what was before me. The images were blurred as the tears filled my eyes. Tears of both fear and pain.

They were talking about Franklin. A fugitive. A murderer.

My whole body shook as I clutched the soft fabric of the couch between my palms. I had to get out of here. I needed to get away. I had to go now before it was too late.

A murderer had taken me into the middle of nowhere. To a hidden cabin in the woods. And I’d been sleeping in the same bed with him for a week.

And I’d had just sex with him.

Vomit bubbled up in my throat, but I swallowed it down. Now wasn’t the time to be weak. He might have left me here without a car, but I had two legs that could run. Before I could think things through, I jumped up from the couch and ran out of the cabin. Overhead, the sky shook and rumbled, and all around me puddles were forming as the rain seized control of the ground.

I took a deep breath and splashed down the steps until the pouring rain consumed every inch of my skin. Shivering, I whirled around, eyeing up my surroundings. Trees rose high on every side, and the only sign of humanity was the thin muddy drive stretching down to the road half a mile away.

I couldn’t go down that drive. Franklin or Garrett or whatever his name was would be back at any moment, and I couldn’t risk him catching me on the run. I wouldn’t stand a chance if I met him face to face.

Instead, I rushed around the side of the cabin and toward a steep hill that led into the trees. I could make my way out of here by following the road from the safety of the forest, hidden in case Franklin drove by. My shoes slipped as I climbed up the side of the hill, and my knees sunk into the muddy ground. Gasping, I clutched at branches and limbs, smearing dirt into my clothes along with the rain that was soaking me with every second that passed.

I finally made it to the top of the hill and ducked into the forest. The sky darkened even more, and the rain broke through the trees, plopping heavily onto my arms and head. I shivered and continued to drive my feet forward, my heart rocketing hard in my chest.

Sobs threatened to choke my throat as I thought back to all the moments I’d spent wrapped in Franklin’s arms. I had to do whatever it took to get out of here. He was a murderer, and if I wasn’t careful, I’d be his next victim.