Jennifer Armentrout - Don’t Look Back

Praise for the novels of Jennifer L. Armentrout

A must read. Ive never had a book I felt more like giving more than 5 stars to than this book! The ending will absolutely shake you to your core! Stuck in Books blog

A great blend of action, drama, and romance simply amazing from beginning to end. The Reading Geek blog

Ramps up the action, suspense, and romance without ever losing a step. Dreams in Tandem blog

Oh. My. God. Oh my God. Oh my God! Jennifer Armentrout just keeps getting better and better I am BLOWN AWAY! iSoul Reviews blog

Addictive prose, lovable characters, and jaw-dropping twists. The Book Basement blog

All the romance anyone could ask for, plus a whole lot of action and suspenseful drama as well. The Revolving Bookcase blog

5/5 an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G read from beginning to start. Stuck In YA Books blog

One of my favourite reads of the year. Book Passion for Life blog

I didnt recognize the name on the street sign. Nothing about the rural road looked familiar or friendly. Tall, imposing trees and overgrown weeds choked the front of the dilapidated home. Windows were boarded up. There was a gaping hole where the front door had been. I shivered, wanting to be far away from here wherever here was.

Walking felt harder than it should be, and I stumbled off the chilly asphalt, wincing as sharp gravel dug into my feet.

My bare feet?

I stopped and looked down. Chipped pink nail polish peeked through the dirt and blood. Mud caked the legs of my pants, leaving the hems stiff. It made sense, seeing as how I wasnt wearing any shoes, but the blood I didnt understand why there was blood staining the knees of my jeans.

My vision clouded and dulled, as if a gray film had been dropped over my eyes. As I stared at the weathered asphalt under my feet, large, smooth rocks replaced the tiny stones. Something dark and oily seeped over the rocks, slipping through the cracks.

Sucking in a sharp gasp, I blinked and the image was gone.

Hands trembling, I raised them. They were covered with dirt and scratches. My nails were broken, bloodied. A silver ring, encased in soil, wrapped around my thumb. Air froze in my chest as my gaze crawled over my arms. The sleeves of my sweater were torn, revealing pale flesh covered in bruises and gashes. My legs started to shake as I swayed forward. I tried to remember how this had happened, but my head was emptya black void where nothing existed.

A car drove by, coasting to a stop a few feet in front of me. Somewhere in the trenches of my subconscious, I recognized the flashing red and blue lights as a source of safety. Elegantly scrawled along the black-and-gray side of the cruiser were the words ADAMS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.

Adams County? A flash of familiarity came and went.

The drivers door opened, and a deputy stepped out. He said something into the radio on his shoulder before he looked at me.

Miss? He started around the cruiser, taking tentative steps. He looked young for a deputy. Being barely out of high school and able to carry a gun seemed wrong somehow. Was I in high school? I didnt know. Weve received some calls into dispatch concerning you, he said gently. Are you okay?

I tried to respond, but only a hoarse squeak came out. Clearing my throat, I winced as the motion scratched and pulled. I I dont know.

Okay. The deputy held up his hands as he approached me, as if I were a skittish deer about to bolt. My name is Deputy Rhode. Im here to help you. Do you know what youre doing out here?

No. Knots formed in my belly. I didnt even know where here was.

His smile strained. Whats your name?

My name? Everyone knew their name, but as I stared at the deputy, I couldnt answer his question. The knots started twisting more. I dont I dont know what my name is.

He blinked, and the smile was completely gone. You dont remember anything?

I tried again, concentrating on the empty space between my ears. That was how it felt. And I knew that wasnt good. My eyes started to tear up.

Miss, its okay. Well get you taken care of. He reached out, lightly taking hold of my arm. Well get this sorted.

Deputy Rhode led me around the back of his cruiser. I didnt want to sit behind the Plexiglas. Only bad people sat behind the glass in police cruisers. I knew that much. I wanted to object, but before I could say anything, he settled me into the seat and wrapped a coarse blanket around my shoulders.

Before he locked me in the bad part of the car, he knelt and smiled reassuringly. Everythings going to be okay.

But I knew he was lying, trying to make me feel better. It didnt work. How could everything be okay when I didnt know my own name?

I didnt know my name, but I knew I hated hospitals. They were cold and sterile, smelling like disinfectant and desperation. Deputy Rhode left me once the doctors started a battery of tests. My pupils were checked, X-rays were done, and my blood was taken. The nurses bandaged the side of my head and cleaned the numerous wounds. Theyd given me a private room, hooking me up to an IV that pumped fluids that will help you feel better into me, and left.

A nurse eventually wheeled in a cart laden with a set of ominous-looking instruments and a camera. Why was there a camera?

She silently bagged my clothes after giving me a scratchy hospital gown to change into. She smiled when she looked at me, just as the deputy had. False and well practiced.

I learned I didnt like those kinds of smiles. They gave me the creeps.

We need to do some more tests on you while the X-rays are being run, sweetie. She gently pushed my shoulders down on the hard mattress. We also need to take some pictures of your injuries.

Staring at the white ceiling, I found it hard to pull enough air into my lungs. It was even worse when she made me scoot down. A surge of embarrassment shocked me. This is so awkward. My breath caught. That thought wasnt from now, but before before what?

Relax, sweetie. The nurse moved to stand beside the cart. The police are contacting neighboring counties for missing person reports. Theyll find your family soon. She picked up something long and thin that gleamed under the bright, impersonal light.

After a couple of minutes, tears streaked my cheeks. The nurse seemed used to it because she did her thing and left without saying another word. I curled up under the thin blanket, pulling my knees to my chest. I stayed like that, with my empty thoughts, until I fell asleep.

I dreamed of fallingfalling endlessly into the darkness, over and over again. There were screamsshrill sounds that raised the tiny hairs on my bodyand then nothing but a soft, lulling sound I found comforting.

Upon waking the following morning, I decided to start small. What was my name? I had to have one, but there was nothing I could grasp on to. Rolling onto my back, I yelped as the IV pulled on my hand. Beside me, there was a plastic cup of water. I sat up slowly and grabbed the cup. It shook in my hand, sloshing water over the blanket.

Waterthere was something about water. Dark, oily water.

The door opened, and the nurse entered with the doctor whod examined me the night before. I liked him. His smile was genuine, fatherly. Do you remember my name? When I didnt answer immediately, his smile didnt falter. Im Dr. Weston. I just want to ask you a few questions.

He asked the same questions everyone else had. Did I remember my name? Did I know how Id gotten on the road or what Id been doing before the deputy picked me up? The answer to all his questions was the same: no.