Page 1 of Only the Hunter

Chapter 1

Evie

“Where are you?”

I grit my teeth, holding back the unprofessional response that wants out of me. Anyone listening would assume he’s my boss—which he’s not.

“Rock Creek Parkway.”

“Evie.”

I look away from the oncoming headlights long enough to glare at my phone screen, fixed in place by my trusty black holder. “Michael,” I respond, matching his tone.

“You’ve got to drop it.”

“It’s after eight. You have dinner plans. Why are you calling me?”

“Because you’re not in your office, and we both know that means you’re doing work you can’t do from your desk.”

A warning light flickers on my dashboard, and I clock my speed.

Shit. I’m going to get a ticket.

My foot presses the brake—and the pedal drops straight to the floor.

No resistance. No grab. Just air.

“I’m worried about⁠—”

“Michael. Shit.”

I lean back and press harder, as if pressure alone will convince the car to listen.

No effect.

I pump the brake. Once. Twice.

Nothing.

There’s a faint hiss, soft and wrong, like air being pulled from somewhere it shouldn’t be.

“My brakes aren’t fucking working.”

“What?” His voice sharpens. “Pull over.”

I let out a breath that’s half laugh, half snarl. “There’s a stone wall to my right.”

The speedometer needle climbs past sixty. The road slopes downward, just enough to make everything worse.

Headlights streak past. Red. White. Too close.

“If you have to hit someone,” he says, annoyingly calm, “pick a larger vehicle.”

Excellent advice, Michael.

As if I have time to comparison shop collateral damage.

My hands slip on the worn leather steering wheel. Moisture slicks my palms.