Prologue

Forks Forest

Washington

1986

All that could be heard in the nearly silent forest was the sound of their footfalls and panting breaths. They were running out of options. There weren't very many places they could go. She was scared, so scared, but if he was, he would never show it—especially to her. She tripped over a log, and she would have fell flat on her stomach if it weren't for him grabbing her around the waist and lifting her back to her feet.

He knew there was a cabin close to there—a hunting cabin that had belonged to his grandfather on his mother's side. If only they could make it there, they would be able to restock their ammunition and fight back. He felt sick that he was failing her in this way. He thought they'd been careful.

There was a bend in the path. They could see the cabin looming in front of them, but—once again—her clumsiness tripped them up, and she fell sprawling on the ground.

"GO!" she screamed at him.

"I'm not leaving you!" he yelled back.

"Please, please!" She cried, tears streaming down her face. "You can't let them get you, too!"

He tried to help her up, but her ankle gave out, and she sobbed in pain. Resigned, he sat on the forest floor and pulled her onto his lap. They'd had a good run. But time was not on their side this time.

He soothed her as best he could while they listened to the shouts of the men chasing them. She trembled in his arms, wondering what would become of them.

He kissed her neck, followed by her eyes, cheeks, and finally her mouth. She couldn't stop the moan that left her if she tried, not that she wanted to. From the moment she'd met him, she'd been drawn to him and was willing to do anything to be his.

"They're going to be here soon," he whispered in her ear.

She whimpered, burying her face in his neck, clinging to him harder.

"It'll be okay, Sugar. Don't you worry. We'll be together. No matter what."

She kissed his neck and moved her head so she could look into his eyes. He'd never lied to her before; she doubted he'd start now, in that moment.

"You promise?"

"I promise." He kissed her lips, desperate and hungry. He wished he had time to get inside her one more time. But he knew their time was over when he heard the snap of the twig to his left.

He adjusted her on his lap, then reached behind him, removing his gun from the small of his back, encouraging her to do the same. They might be going out, but they'd go out on their own terms.

He looked deep into her eyes. "I love you, Sugar. Don't you ever forget that."

She kissed him hungrily. "I love you, too."

"You ready to do this?"

She nodded, silently vowing revenge against those who had pushed them to that point.

"See you on the flipside, Sugar." He smirked at her, giving her a little wink.

Just as the first of the men burst from the line of trees in front of the cabin, the pair raised their guns to their heads, looked into each other's eyes, pressed their lips together, and pulled the triggers.