“Do you need help?” I asked, not bothering to offer my hand at this point. I was fairly certain she would bite it off.

  “Not from you.”

  The same animosity from before had developed an icy edge. I had my doubts it could be chiseled or sandblasted off at this point. I continued peering down at her, but not to gloat or make fun of her, which her expression indicated she was expecting. She’d been limping the night before, the scrapes I’d seen bloody.

  “I can do it, I said.” But she continued to have difficulty.

  I was finished with her insistence, reaching down and gathering her into my arms. As I gently brought her to her feet, there were a few positive comments from the peanut gallery. Holding her in my arms once again instantly brought back fond memories. There was a look in her eyes reflecting the same and as strange as it seemed to me, the crowd of people around us faded away.

  She took a deep breath, her body trembling. Was it from the fall or from our connection?

  I had my answer within a few seconds as she shoved me backward. “Just stay away from me,” she barked.

  She appeared a little ruffled, her long ponytail slipping enough to allow strands of hair to fall into her face. Huffing, she blew them away, wincing when she twisted.

  “You’re hurt,” I told her.

  “I’m fine. You need to look where you’re going. Unless you’re trying to kill someone.”

  “That’s bullshit.”

  “Oh, yeah? Well, given you aren’t who you say you are, anything is possible with you.” The sudden shade she threw was bad enough. Doing it with a loud voice and inside the lobby of the resort was enough to shove the anger back to the forefront.

  I crowded her space, eager to chastise her, but finding the right words difficult.

  “What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue as usual, big boy? Do you want to punch me just like you did the reporter?” Her eyes reflected her shock at throwing that out. She had an ax to grind with some asshole. Maybe I reminded her of the bastard. However, I wasn’t going to allow her bad behavior to continue.

  Without thinking people were watching us, I backed her up until she refused to go any further, even encouraging me to come closer with her venomous eyes.

  I did so just to piss her off. Plus, I enjoyed the sport we’d invented. We’d taken heavy bantering to an entirely new level. It kept my blood flowing and my cock stiff.

  “Angel. If you want to discuss my background, which you’ve obviously checked out enough to believe I’m some bloodthirsty idiot, then we’re not doing it here.”

  “Idiot, yes. Bloodthirsty remains to be seen.”

  Now the sexy girl was goading me on purpose. I could tell by the spark in her eyes. “You heard me.”

  “Oh, somewhere private?” she pushed.

  “Very private. Of course that is if you’re not too frightened of me.”

  “Frightened?” she laughed. “Not a chance, buster. If you’re really going to tell me the truth, you’re on.”

  “Pick the time and place.”

  “Fine. I will.”

  “Do it. Right now, sweetheart.”

  “My place. Dinner. Seven p.m.”

  I grinned, my balls tightening. “You’re on.”

  “Fine.”

  She took a step backward, giving me a gaze that would drill a man into the ground before spinning on her heels and walking off.

  I watched her, unable to take my eyes off her hourglass figure. That’s when I realized what she’d asked and what I’d agreed to.

  Great.

  Another interesting night.

  I continued watching her walk away, attempting to ignore the questions that I was suddenly peppered with. She was more than just a handful, but I had to admit, I was looking forward to dinner.

  There was no getting out of handling a few issues, so when I finally made it to my truck, it was almost five-thirty. I’d have time for a shower and change before heading over to her place. Before climbing in, my phone rang.

  Very few people knew my number, including the single man I’d trusted completely during my stint working as a mercenary. He never called unless there was a possible issue, which there hadn’t been since a couple of months after I’d left the organization. Plus, we hadn’t left on the best of terms since I’d called him every name in the book. My rage had been off the charts at that point.

  Hindsight was an interesting attribute when you accepted it. I’d been burned out, which was why I’d made two serious mistakes. Two. Still, his call given the timing was unnerving. Coincidences were rare.

  I’d been smart, adding the kind of security to my phone that would keep random scammers and anyone searching from tracking down my number. It also appeared nowhere.

  “Russ. Long time.”

  “Yeah, buddy, and I wouldn’t be calling now if I didn’t have some news and a question.” Russ had always been frank and straight to the point, something I appreciated about our limited relationship. In a world where anonymity and silence were the objectives, he’d been my lifeline. I’d only used it a couple of times when I’d found it impossible to get out of a country. He had connections everywhere, as did the people involved in the organization.

  Who would remain nameless.

  “News.” I scanned the parking lot to ensure no one had followed me. It was an old habit. Plus, I’d had a feeling the past had come back to haunt me.

  “Someone has been trying very hard to research your past, managing to get to a few people who at least confirmed your military record.”

  We’d purposely set it up that way so that it appeared to some I’d died while in battle. Sure, they could figure out that I was alive if they tried hard enough, but with my information still scrambled, it would take special equipment and connections to track me down.

  That didn’t make for purchasing a house or even getting a credit card feasible, but I could pay cash for everything given the size of my bank account.

  “That I know.”

  “You do?” Russ seemed surprised.

  “Yeah, I’m doing a favor for my dad and a feisty park ranger is determined to dig into my past.” I had to determine if I would tell her anything at this point. I knew her personality well enough to know she’d keep digging.

  “If it’s her then she has some pretty powerful friends. Just keep that in mind. All the data is tightly locked down, but there’s always a way to learn something. You know how hackers work.”

  I seriously doubted she’d gone that far. Yet.

  “Then don’t allow that to happen.” Even my family had no clue whatsoever about my past, although I’d known since the beginning both Jagger and Hunter had placed themselves in similar positions. The trolls had come out of the woodwork when each one of us had retired, looking for fresh bodies to do their dangerous biddings.

  The promises had been numerous, only a few of which had been accurate. But we were still alike in our love of danger.

  And blood.

  What I would do for safety and sanity was check her out the best I could. Whatever information I could find might keep her from delving any further into my life. “I appreciate the warning. I’ll handle it from here. What is the question?” I jumped into the truck, starting the engine.

  “How about returning to work for us for a single gig?”

  I wanted to laugh and almost did. “You are kidding me. I was all but kicked out the door.”

  “Yeah, that was… unfortunate,” Russ huffed.

  Unfortunate? I’d been called on the carpet and put on a plane headed for the States in less than twenty-four hours. The organization had made certain they disassociated from me. “Bullshit.”

  “Look, I was told to ask. You were without a doubt the most qualified agent we ever had.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  As I pulled out of the parking space, I took a deep breath. Even asking a single question would make him think I was interested and I wasn’t. “Tell them you asked and I promptly said no fucking way.” The last gig had almost gotten me killed.

  And it had pushed me into a serious depression.

  “We have a situation that had your name written all over it. You’re made for this shit.”

  “Not any longer, Russ. I have a full civilian life now and that’s the way I like it.”

  “It’s on our own soil. The mission shouldn’t take long.”

  “Hear me clearly. I don’t care.” But a part of me did and he knew it. I craved the adrenaline rush and always had.

  “An old buddy of yours escaped from a Russian prison. There is some talk he’s cleaning house.”

  Well, fuck. Boris the Butcher, as he’d been called.

  His escape meant the dangerous bastard was seeking to fulfill the revenge he threatened at his trial. I hadn’t been there, but I’d gotten a play by play. I was certain I was on that list. However, he would never get into this country and he had more enemies than I did.

  “He won’t stay alive long enough for it to matter.”

  Russ snorted. “You’re forgetting who you’re talking about. You were the only man to hunt him down. The only man to catch him after dozens of agents tried from several countries. You could do it again.”

  “Russ. No. It’s not going to happen no matter how much flattery you toss at me.” The mission had been brutal, more so than almost any other. I’d almost lost my life twice. I’d also almost not gotten out of Moscow.

  He laughed. “You know I had to try.”

  “Yeah, you did. Now, I have two questions. You owe me that.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Any disappearing Marines?”

  He scoffed. “All the time. Why?”

  “Any with criminal ties or their deaths unexplained?”

  His hesitation wasn’t well hidden for as trained as he was. “I’d have to check. I take it somewhere close to where you are?”

  “Somewhere close.”

  “Where are you, anyway?”

  “Nowhere you want to be. Just say a few hundred miles from the Atlantic Ocean.”

  “O-kay. I’ll need to get back to you,” Russ said under his breath.

  “Second question. Any recent updated use of paralyzing drugs to render a victim incapable of moving while methods of torture are being used?”

  “You’re asking questions that seem open ended. Yeah, there’s a new drug out of Russia of all godforsaken places. It’s pretty scary stuff. Only a small amount is needed.”

  Russia.

  Another coincidence that bothered the hell out of me.

  “Thanks for the info. That’s all I need.” I also wasn’t telling anyone from my past anything about my current life.

  “You got it, buddy. You know how to get ahold of me if you change your mind and want to come back. One piece of advice. If you’re going to live a civilian life, do it. Don’t go halfway back into the fold. It could be dangerous.”

  “Yeah, I hear you.” I was wanted back, but the entire situation bothered me. If I was killed while locating the Butcher, then no one was the wiser and there was less of a chance for me to talk.

  Not in this lifetime.

  I glared into the rearview mirror, lifting my head and staring at my beard. Old man, huh? That’s what she’d called me. Okay, so my beard did have some gray in it, but… I rubbed my hand through the long strands. My beard was beginning to feel like stiff wire. Maybe I had been hiding behind the façade for far too long.

  Eh. Who gave a shit?

  As I turned onto the main road, it was impossible not to think about the single mission where a target hadn’t been killed but sent to prison. That had been by design. After allowing myself to see the man’s scarred face in my mind, I slammed my hand on the steering wheel.

  That life was finished and it was going to stay that way.

  CHAPTER 15

  Denise

  “What is wrong with me, Pepper?” I asked, which I’d done now three or four times.

  My dog had the same whining response. She had no better clue than I did. I’d asked a man I couldn’t stand over for dinner. A private dinner. Okay, maybe he just got under my skin and it wasn’t that I couldn’t stand him. I certainly enjoyed his body.

  “This isn’t a date. Right? I caught him in a lie.” Which wasn’t exactly the truth either. He’d simply not been forthcoming about who he was. Why should he be since we were like oil and water?

  Pepper woofed once.

  “You’re right. It’s a damn date.” Enough of one I’d dug out one of three dresses I owned. Why? I couldn’t answer that question, but I’d put on more makeup than my typical mascara and blush and allowed my hair to remain ponytail free. If it wasn’t a date, then I didn’t know what I was doing.

  Which was apparent anyway.

  Maybe I’d just needed to grill someone since I’d been tossed off the case. The correct term was that the FBI had taken over. While the sheriff and his team were working point with them, it was felt the talents of the park ranger system were best utilized elsewhere.

  It was a nice way of putting that we weren’t wanted, and the case was classified.

  I’d kept some information to myself, including my thoughts on the poison Shephard had mentioned. I planned on grilling him about his knowledge. He knew exactly what he was talking about.

  If the case wasn’t classified, at a minimum it was something they didn’t want the public to learn about. That I couldn’t blame them for. The valley had had a shitty winter with little snow the year before. Hysteria no one needed. However, that didn’t mean I was going to let the case go so easily. Nope. I’d spent an hour or so on my laptop, adding to my whiteboard while trying to piece things together.

  I hadn’t seen any prison escapes on the news or any bank heists. I was still trying to work on the case even though I’d been forbidden to do so.

  I’d gotten my ass into trouble for doing that many times before.

  After adjusting the wineglasses until they were just so on the table, I shook my head. This was getting ridiculous.

  “Oh,” I hissed and glared at the pot on the stove. The vodka sauce was simmering, the penne pasta ready to go into water; the salad was already made and the bread was ready to pop into the oven. In addition, I had two bottles of wine cracked and even made dessert.

  And I hadn’t made dessert in years.

  Okay, so the truth was I’d picked up a key lime pie from the local store, but still. I was going all out for a man I didn’t like. I’d even been caught doing so by one of the gossip girls. After the stunt pulled at the resort, I had a feeling Shephard and I were linked together by every soul in town.

  I checked my watch and rolled my eyes for a second time. It was a few minutes before seven. Would the guy even show up? That was debatable. He would if he thought he could win some battle. Why was it that I kept thinking he wanted to know what I’d learned about the case? I’d seen it in his eyes.

  Working together in the background?

  I debated it and laughed. We’d kill each other.

  With my thoughts all over the place and still angry from our usual confrontations, I knew I needed a drink. I’d already poured myself a whiskey just to try to calm down.

  I’d even made certain the fire was just so. There was a nice chill to the air, a light breeze that accentuated the scent of pine outside. A perfect setting. Fascinating.

  And troubling.

  I leaned against the counter, counting off the minutes. Maybe I was a little excited after all. He was a powerful dude who challenged me every step of the way.

  As I sipped on my drink, I was dumb enough to allow my thoughts to drift to my ex. I didn’t even like to think his name. The event had been humiliating at best, a nightmare at worst. And it had taken me months to get over it to the point of functioning.

  Both physically and emotionally.

  He wasn’t going to win again. A happy wedding and the girl would only learn after it was too late what a scum bucket he was.

  I must have allowed myself to think about the man for longer than I’d thought. Pepper’s sudden series of barks startled me enough I almost dropped the glass. My guest had arrived.

  Opening the door was harder than I’d thought it would be. I was way out of practice, rusty at being a woman let alone remembering how to date.

  No, I couldn’t think of this that way. This was a grilling session.

  “Who the hell are you?” I asked, shocked to see his appearance.

  “Just some old man.”

  With a bottle of wine in his hand, his beard and mustache trimmed close and the man wearing some kind of exotic aftershave, I was no longer certain what this was.

  Or who.

  I was flabbergasted, unable to take my eyes off him. He was amused as usual at the fact I was uncomfortable. “I hope you didn’t do that for me.”

  “I only do shit for myself.”

  “There’s the grumpy bastard I remember. You can come in.”

  Still, we stared at each other as Pepper jumped on him, something she never did.

  “Pepper. Down. I don’t know what’s gotten into her. She knows better.” I backed away, allowing him in and trying not to regret my decision to invite him in the first place.

  He said nothing, but it was obvious he was studying my dress. Or me in the dress. I wasn’t certain and I wasn’t ready to get into anything with the man.

  We’d bantered easily, but talking was next to impossible. I had a lump in my throat. Plus, his aftershave had already intoxicated me. So exotic and unlike him.

  Shephard handed me the bottle of wine and while I suspected he was clueless about vintages, I noticed he’d chosen a bottle from his own reserve, the Foxhead wines something I’d always wanted to try. At least I knew the merlot would be decent.

  “Do you want a drink before the wine?” I finally managed to ask like a normal person would.

  “Sure. Whiskey?”

  “Yeah, I have plenty.” At least getting him a drink allowed me to do something. I busied myself, but sensed he was hovering right behind me. After dropping two ice cubes in, I turned around to hand it to him and he was right there. Far too close.