punched her sweater into a ball and put it under her head, pulling the sleeping bag up to her chin.
He was everywhere. Beneath her, above her, surrounding her. There was no fighting it, not now. She closed her eyes and remembered.
Twelve years ago
It was a beautiful late spring night in Rhode Island when Jamie Kincaid grew up. She was sixteen years old, privileged, beloved, living in a dream world with nothing more to worry about than grades and dates. Grades were no problemâas her cousin, Nate, always told her, she was too smart for her own good.
And dates werenât usually an issue, either. Sheâd had a pleasant, nonthreatening boyfriend whoâd done no more than give her a few closedmouthed kisses, and when he dumped her on the eve of the junior prom she was more annoyed than hurt. She had the dress, sheâd worked on the committee, she had every intention of going, anyway, and dragooned her cousin Nate to take her.
Nate was more a brother than a cousin. Heâd lived with his aunt Isobel and uncle Victor for thelast nine years, since his parents had died in a fire. Jamie was an only child, and sheâd always wanted an older brother. And ten-year-old Nate was a dream come true for young Jamie.
She still adored him, though nine years together had worn off some of the novelty. But then, everybody adored Nateâhe was incredibly handsome, with a dazzling smile, dark eyes, silky black hair and the kind of rugged body that made him perfect for sports and teenage fantasies. He was beloved by teachers and students alike, his surrogate parents, and most especially by his besotted cousin, Jamie.
âWhatâs up, kitten?â
Jamie looked up from her spot on the floor. The pale pink prom dress billowed out around her, and she wondered if unshed tears made her makeup run. Being dumped wasnât worth crying for. It was justâ¦annoying.
She managed a crooked smile. Her cousin Nate hated emotions. With his easy charm he breezed through life, and he preferred those around him to do the same, and since Jamie adored him she did her best. âI just got dumped. Zack told me he was breaking up with me and taking Sara Jackson to the prom.â
Nate shook his head. âGreat timing. I could havetold you Zack was a loser. Want Dillon and me to go beat him up for you?â
Jamie controlled a little shiver. Her cousin was only kidding, but when it came to someone like his friend Dillon Gaynor there was no telling what might happen. âDonât bother. Iâll get revenge sooner or later.â
âI suppose you still want to go to the prom? Forget it, precious! I may love you like a brother, but Iâm not going to take you to a high school junior prom. Iâve already suffered through one once.â
She shook her head. âI wouldnât ask you. Iâm not going.â
âSo what are you going to do? Aunt Isobel and uncle Victor have already gone out, and Iâve got plans with Killer. Wanna come along?â
Killer was Nateâs affectionate name for his lowlife friend Dillon. Unfortunately there were times when Jamie wondered whether or not it was a bit too appropriate. âThatâs all right. You donât want a sixteen-year-old tagging along after you. Iâll be fine. Thereâs a book I want to readâ¦.â
âNope,â Nate said flatly. âYou arenât going to miss out on your prom to curl up with a good book. Youâre coming with us. Time to visit the wild side of life. See how the other half lives. Try a little danger.â
âIâm not big on danger.â
âYour big cousin will be there to protect you,â he said. âAnd Dillon will make sure nothing happens to you.â
âLike I trust him?â she scoffed.
âTrust who?â Dillon said, lounging in her doorway.
That was only one of the things she didnât like about him. He always walked in, appearing out of the blue. He seemed to