The memory was one I’d been able to push away up until now. Maybe I didn’t want to remember anything about my former life.

  Was I only a shadow of the man I’d been two years ago? The answer wasn’t one I was proud of. I’d worked as nothing more than a grunt for the Red Devils for fourteen months, clawing my way up to a trusted soldier. The glorified street gang had grown significantly over the years, turning more into a mafia-like organization with a man called El Capitan at the helm. As far as I was concerned, Michael David was nothing more than a Gambini lackey.

  The mixed breed Italian-born street thug had his sights set on joining the infamous Gambini mafia family, as if Don Carmine Gambini would allow that to happen. I knew all the asshole’s secrets, not that it mattered any longer. I’d been betrayed.

  The volume of drugs the Red Devils had brought into the country had been significant, but the man was smart, not just your everyday street thug. El Capitan had washed the money in legitimate businesses, altering his methods of operations several times, many I hadn’t been privileged at learning about. However, I’d been observant, realizing that as intelligent as El Capitan was, he certainly had others backing him, prominent and very influential members of the posh Chicago society.

  There were several high-ranking officials from Chicago to points west getting rich off the ‘legitimate’ businesses. Sadly, I had no names and only limited evidence, but I’d been gaining traction until my gut had told me that my cover had been blown. Even Carmine Gambini hadn’t made the kind of inroads that the El Capitan had, something that certainly had to piss off the larger than life Don.

  Up to that point, the El Capitan had been impressed with my skills. With that nod of reverence, I’d been afforded the perks. Money. Nightclubs. Even a rather posh apartment. All while building evidence against their organization. And right now? The evidence I’d acquired was likely to go with me to the grave. Maybe I’d gotten too soft.

  Or too dangerous.

  Whatever the case, this was some unexpected shit. I’d never even considered state prosecutors would send a bounty hunter, let alone a woman. No, I had to correct myself. One sexy as fuck woman. She’d actually caught me off guard, something that never happened. During my limited incarceration, I’d been able to avoid the brutal shower room events because of my intense training and quick observations. Though I wouldn’t have thought twice about slicing some useless inmate for even considering touching me.

  The worst part?

  I remembered every inch of her sexy body; her rounded hips and small waist, the way her long legs had wrapped around me as I’d fucked her, almost as brutally all those years before. She’d been nothing more than a fantasy then, a moment of raw passion at a time I needed the closeness. What we’d shared had been incredible, a sweet memory I’d kept alive at night for years.

  I never wanted her to remember the man from before.

  Anger rushed through me, the damn aspect of karma almost too much to deal with. Why did she have to be the one to try to take me down?

  This girl had managed to slide past my defenses, finding me in a vulnerable state—trying to get my fucking life back together as well as gain the evidence I needed. This whole shit storm had played out like a thriller novel, only I was getting the short end of the stick. The out of nowhere snowstorm had left me in a pinch. My sixth sense had been useful, notifying me that I was being followed even before she thought she’d cornered me. I’d watched her, observing her actions, studying her training.

  She was damn good. I’d have to give her that. Another sickening part about the last two days since the moment I’d recognized her?

  I’d hungered for her, falling into a fitful sleep while imagining all the savage things I wanted to do to her body. My cock had remained hard almost the entire time. I’d had no way of knowing who she worked for. There were several options, including the Red Devils. She could be a hired gun for them or the Gambinis instead of the Justice Department. What she hadn’t realized was my level of training, the ability to disappear without a trace.

  But I’d made a single mistake, thinking she’d lost sight of her prey.

  Letting my guard down to partake in copious amounts of alcohol and a hardcore game of poker at a local dive bar had seemed the least of my worries. She was an artist at tracking to have caught me again.

  An honor.

  There hadn’t been a single officer of the law in any precinct, district, or federal organization that had managed to hunt me down, including the DEA. Now her. Or maybe I should ask, why her? Maybe somebody had made the connection to our past. If so, they were playing a sick and twisted game. I’d taken several precautions as I’d headed west, but nothing was foolproof.

  Perhaps I’d just made the ultimate mistake of my career, cementing my death sentence. I’d turned the tables, shackling and fucking her. I’d always known she belonged to me, my desire roaring to the surface even more than before. There was something about her that unleashed the dark demons festering inside of me.

  Almost innocent.

  Definitely a fighter.

  A woman I craved possessing.

  Yeah, I was going to fry in the electric chair.

  “You can get dressed now,” I said in an offhanded manner as I slipped the thick leather belt back through the loops on my jeans, grabbing her holster and eyeing the lady’s choice of weaponry. The Beretta was an excellent choice, one bullet able to cut a man down.

  If she was an excellent shot.

  Somehow, I had the feeling she knew her shit.

  Hell, she’d chartered a plane all the way from Chicago, tracking me like she’d been trained to hunt predators in particular. You could call me that and I was damn good at what I did, especially avoiding detection. I would learn her methods one way or the other. Disciplining her was merely going to be the first act. I snapped the holster to my belt, rolling my fingers over the barrel of the gun.

  Harper gave me a nasty look, similar to the ones she’d given me several times. Only this time, the glare was personal. I had a sense that she knew exactly who I was, at least from all those years ago. I refused to acknowledge her suspicions. That wouldn’t matter in the least. We were both professionals.

  Killer and hunter.

  “My hands are shackled behind my back. How do you suppose I do that? I’m not a magician.” Her words were laced with rebellion.

  Huffing, I inched closer, my skin tingling as she took a decided giant stride backwards, as far away from me as she could manage. I adored the way her lower lip trembled even in her defiance. I was surprised I was hungry all over again, ready to consume every inch of her luscious body. I held up my hands, showing her that I wasn’t planning on doing any harm.

  At least not at this point.

  It all depended on her behavior. Could she be a good little girl?

  “Fine. Let me help you,” I said quietly, softening my tone. For a few minutes, I wasn’t the fugitive running from the law. I was just a guy in the middle of a snowstorm. I almost snickered at the thought. Who the hell was I kidding? I’d terminated my career with one dumb move.

  Trusting the wrong asshole.

  That had cost me everything.

  Nothing would ever shatter the pain, the agony of losing everything so precious to me. All because of greed. I shoved the thought out of my mind. Harper Rollins wasn’t here to help me in any manner. She wasn’t a magical savior. She was merely a part in the jaded system, a project of slaphappy folks determined to bring down any man or woman whose capture would bring them glory. She was no different. I knew the bounty the chick was going to receive by merely taking me in.

  Fuck her.

  Fuck the system.

  Fuck all of them.

  They’d never take me alive.

  I eased her jeans up those long legs, my face far too close to her beautiful pussy. I imagined burying my face in her wetness, licking up every drop of her sweet juice. I wanted to thrust my cock back inside, fucking her brutally until she called out my name over and over again. I wanted to own her.

  Possess her.

  Break her.

  My hands were sweating as I tugged on her zipper. I just had to figure out how to get as far away from the location as possible. She had a boss, one who would eventually report her missing. My next steps were crucial.

  “Why don’t you get us both one of those drinks,” I commanded, nodding toward the galley kitchen.

  She lifted a single eyebrow, feigning surprise. “And what if I’m not thirsty?” Twisting, she wiggled the handcuffs, a reminder that she was in no position to follow through with my commands.

  This was how we were going to play it. The girl was more rough and tumble than I’d suspected, which meant I’d need to watch her every move. I raked my hand through my disheveled hair, closing the distance to her in a heartbeat. I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck, yanking her onto her toes. “I’m not going to ask you again. I have no problem stripping you naked and tying you to the bed, taking my time savoring every inch of your sweet body.” I could see an odd combination of horror and excitement in her eyes, another cock-twitching moment.

  She swallowed hard, finally nodding in agreement.

  Still, I didn’t let her go, lowering my head and taking a deep whiff of her feminine wiles. For all her bravado, she’d worn an exotic perfume, the scent ravaging every portion of my body. Damn, the woman knew how to gut a man, at least one as dangerous and vile as this one. How many labels had been placed on me since the day I’d been arrested? I seemed to be the most notorious criminal in history.

  One day the fuckers would learn the truth.

  The closer I came, the more her breath skipped, the same quiver in her lower lip far too arousing. “Sweet and innocent.”

  “I think you have the wrong girl.”

  Laughing, I released my hold, shifting until her back faced me. I eased the key out of my pocket, un-cuffing her. Then I pushed her in the direction of the kitchen. “Maybe so. Some women do like it rough.”

  I heard the select curse words under her breath, watching as she clenched both fists, walking stiffly toward the open bottle of liquor. As she moved toward the cabinet to retrieve another glass, I took the opportunity to glance around the cabin. We wouldn’t be able to stay here after tonight. Even the well-meaning but inadequate sheriff would eventually learn that she hadn’t been in contact with the pilot he’d mentioned. I knew all the pilots in the area. In fact, I knew everyone of any level of importance who lived within two hundred miles of the sleepy town, having pulled a favor with someone in Spokane.

  I had to wonder if my contact had made a phone call or two. Besides the bounty, I’d heard there was a hefty payout for anyone with information about my whereabouts. The thought filled me with another bout of rage. I couldn’t afford to make a single additional mistake.

  I retrieved my weapons, sliding the knife into my pocket and finally sitting down on the table. At least we could pretend to be civilized while I grilled her for information. “I also need rope.”

  “Rope?”

  “Thick rope.”

  She shot me a look, exhaling in an exaggerated manner. “Then I’ll need to get my bag.”

  “Where is it?”

  Her shaking finger pointed toward one of two doors down a short hallway.

  “All right. Go get it.”

  Harper gave me the kind of smile that suggested she had another weapon inside the bag or perhaps hidden in the bedroom. As if I was that stupid.

  What I hadn’t anticipated was her attempt at escape, her body turning swiftly and kicking me hard in the kidneys. I went down but was almost able to snag her leg.

  Yelping, she attempted a hard kick to my face before rushing toward the front door. The little vixen actually made it outside, managing to get the driver’s door open before I rumbled out after her, roaring both from the pain and frustration.

  She didn’t bother looking in my direction until I was a few inches away, the hard slam of the door against me not quite the force she’d hoped. Within two seconds I’d pinned her against the Jeep, my hand wrapped around her throat.

  “That wasn’t very nice of you,” I hissed.

  “Yeah? Well, I don’t like playing nice.”

  As the snow fell, the flakes hitting then sliding down her face, I realized just how much I was attracted to her. The game we’d shared had been the most interesting thing that had happened in my life in months. “Looks like there’s more punishment for you, sweetheart.”

  “Call me that again and I’ll rip out your tongue.”

  I had to laugh, the drive in the woman more than any law enforcement officer I’d come in contact with. I slammed the door and walked closer. “I think it’s time for you to come inside. Don’t you?”

  Another punch to the gut was followed by a hard shove, enough that my boots slipped on the slick surface. Just enough that she took off running toward the trees.

  The quietness was breathtaking, the chill invigorating but the sound of howls far too close.

  Harper slowed, swinging her head from right to left. Then she shot out toward where the road used to be.

  Jesus Christ. Now her antics were getting on my nerves. While the cabins were on the outskirts of everything, the wolves had been driven in closer to town, likely in search of food. Harper had no idea how much danger she was in. I took off running, hissing as she shrieked, the shrillness of her voice cutting through the silence.

  No doubt attracting the beasts.

  She zigged and zagged her way, going deeper into the forest. Into the darkness. What the hell did she think she was doing?

  Damn it. At this rate, she was going to get us both killed. How she’d managed to get that far ahead of me was beyond comprehension, but within seconds, I was no longer able to hear her.

  Until I heard a single growl.

  Fuck. The wolves had latched onto her scent.

  I unsheathed and grabbed my knife, taking long strides in her direction, my eyes more accustomed to the darkness. Even in the ominous shadows, I was able to sense her utter terror as well as realize that the alpha dog was only a few feet away, but there were others lurking. Waiting.

  And very hungry.

  “Just stay still. Do not move,” I hissed through clenched teeth.

  “Fine,” she managed, her voice barely more than a whisper.

  I moved closer, calculating the distance back to the house. Damn, the woman knew how to find herself smack in the middle of trouble. I took a sidestep until I was in front of her. From the low-slung growls, there had to be three more wolves. At least they were a solid two hundred yards away, the cabin about the same distance.

  “What are you going to do?” she asked.

  “Stay quiet.” I was going to do the only thing I could if I wanted to get her out of here uninjured.

  Or alive.

  I issued a single growl of my own, the deep baritone reverberating.

  There was no delay, the wolf shooting off into the air. I took aim and slung the blade, turning immediately and tossing her over my shoulder. There was no time to look back and there would be no second chances.

  The sharp yelp was followed by a series of howls filling the night air. Everything seemed in slow motion, the thickness of the snow hindering any real progress. And I could swear I felt the heated breath of the beasts on my heels.

  Only by the grace of some deity was I able to make it inside the cabin, slamming the door with a hard thud. I knew the creatures were there, hovering just outside, waiting their turn for the ridiculous humans to return. Besides, they’d be pissed I killed their alpha.

  I finally heard her slight whimpers and snarled before I dropped her onto her feet. “You could have gotten us killed. Do you know that?” My bellow was laced with anger but in truth, I was still shaking from the close call.

  Worried about her safety.

  What in the hell?

  She was merely a cog in the wheel, a problem that would have to be dealt with.

  “I had no idea wolves were out there,” she snapped, holding her arms and backing away from me.

  “Don’t play the stupid card with me now. You know exactly how much danger you were in. Those wolves would have torn you limb from limb in a few seconds flat.” I paced the floor, trying to rein in my anger, fitfully brushing off snow. “Do you hear that?”

  The howling had continued, gruff barks and growls an indication of just how pissed off they were.

  “Do you?” I demanded.

  Her lips were pursed but she looked away. “Like I said, I had no idea.”

  “Je-sus Christ. You cased me for days, finding every freaking location that I’d frequented since arriving in town.”

  She shot me a look of surprise.

  “Of course I knew you were there. I just had no clue who the hell you were working for.” I inched closer, crowding her space. “You learned enough about me to figure out that I would find a dive bar somewhere, bored out of my mind. My guess is that you even know what I like to eat. So don’t give me that shit!”

  A wry smile crossed her face, more defiant than ever. “Sounds like you care. Maybe you aren’t the brute everyone thinks you are.”

  Perhaps I overreacted, allowing a feisty broad to get under my skin, but she’d managed to rile every last portion of me. “Maybe you’ve underestimated me. In fact, I think you need a little lesson in who’s boss around here.”

  “Just what do you think you’re going to do?”

  Another demand. Another round of attitude. Yanking the handcuffs off the table, I grabbed her wrist before she had a chance to resist, pulling her down the short hallway to what I knew had to be the bathroom.

  “Let me go. Stop!”

  “I think some time out is in order. Without your clothes.” Flipping on the light, I could see her look of absolute horror.

  “No. No!” She struggled, doing everything in her power to get the upper hand. The girl had another think coming.

  “Not what I’m going to do. It’s what you’re going to do. Undress.”

  “What?” She backed as far away as the tiny space would allow. “Na... no.”