Hidden Shadows (The Shadow Series Book 1)

EIGHT

As Ben steered the truck back onto the interstate, Jenna watched the city lights fade in the background. The soaring AT&T tower, its spearing points on either side of the building racing to the sky, was the last to vanish into the night.

She chuckled to herself, remembering the time Dawson woke in the backseat of the car at an overlook of downtown, saw the large spires of the colloquially known Batman Building, and asked sleepily if they were in Gotham City.

She shared the memory with Ben, had him laughing strong and deep.

In fact, he'd laughed or was charmed by most of her Dawson tales as they'd sat by the water tonight, exchanging stories of their backgrounds and lives, families and relationships.

Surprising her, and pulling her even further out of that quicksand of hesitation and doubt, he'd shown genuine interest in Jacy's ballet, Dawson's rambunctious sagas. He'd been amused, asked questions, and shared his own childhood.

He'd reminisced about his and Joseph's youth. Living like typical boys, they climbed trees, broke lamps, bones, scraped knees, and told little white lies about who did what to whom.

Just as she could tell Ben loved Heidi fiercely, loyally, she knew the same was true for Joseph. Jenna also knew if it was difficult for her to understand just where Joseph was and what he was doing, it had to be distressing for Ben. And Heidi, too.

She figured there was far more to that situation than she knew. But she didn't, and wouldn't, prod for more information. If and when Ben wanted to tell her more and let her in, he would.

"What the—"

The alarm in Ben's voice and squealing brakes had Jenna snapping to attention, bracing for a crash. But none came.

The truck tires screamed to an abrupt halt and a door slammed. Booted feet walked the ground, rounded to her side of the vehicle.

"Stay in the truck," Ben ordered.

Only then did Jenna finally open the eyes she'd squinted shut. Ben stood at the hood of the truck.

"Stay in," he repeated firmly.

What? What's going on? Where are we?

Confused, and a bit shaken, Jenna glanced around, her heart pounding with anticipation. Getting her bearings, she quickly adjusted, calmed herself with a few breaths when she realized they were sitting right in front of her house.

But why hadn't Ben pulled in the driveway? Why had he scared her to death by screeching to a stop mere feet from her front door?

Heart almost settled, breath almost back to normal, she opened the truck door, stepped down onto the curb. And nearly crumbled when she raised her eyes to her beautiful home.