“Yeah, I did.” Spencer dug into his pocket, produced the slim wallet and, holding it out in front of him, started toward her.

The urge to flee came alive inside Arizona. Her heart raced, and her palms went damp. Pride demanded that she hold her ground. She nodded at the fallen body. “Is that one dead?”

“He was following you. I knocked him out.” His big shoulder lifted. “I got him good, but I think he’ll live.”

“Oh.” Closer and closer he came. “Why’d you do that?”

“Knock him out?”

“Yeah.” She curled her lip. “What’s it to you?”

“Hell if I know. Seemed like a good idea at the time.” He kept stalking closer.

“You weren’t playing the hero, were you?” One gallant in her life was enough; she couldn’t stomach two do-gooders.

“God forbid,” he said with mocking good humor that rubbed her raw. He was so damn big, so imposing.

She kept herself still with sheer grit. When he was less than ten feet away, she snapped, “That’s far enough.”

Hands out to his sides, he stopped. “Take it easy, okay?”

No, it wasn’t okay. But she needed her wallet back. Her phone, too, if he had that. “Why don’t you just—” He tossed her the wallet.

Stupidly, she made an automatic grab for it, and he was on her.

She swallowed back a shriek of surprise as he locked her against him with the same damn hold he’d used before. Her back to his chest, her toes off the ground, his strong arms around her.

Helpless.

She ground her teeth together but said nothing. Damn it, she knew better. What was it about him that blew her edge?

“This is better, isn’t it?” He didn’t wait for her to answer; he backed them both deeper into the shadows and finally stopped near the alley entrance. “Now, I have some questions for you.”

“Go f**k yourself.”

He tsked. “You kiss your momma with that dirty mouth, little girl?”

The jibe cut deep. “She’s dead, so that’d be pretty damned gross, wouldn’t it?” The hurt closed in on her, making her eyes burn. It wasn’t easy, but she tried not to pant.

Silence thrummed between them, until he said quietly, “I’m sorry.”

Oh, God, he sounded sorry. The urge to struggle nearly overwhelmed her, but she knew it wouldn’t do her any good. She had to wait for an opportunity.

In steady, even breaths, his chest expanded against her back, lulling her…comforting her.

Robbing her will.

Where his muscled arms crossed over her body, he squeezed the tiniest bit—almost like a hug.

She hadn’t felt a hug in so damn long…

She hated it. She hated him.

She bided her time.

He’d make a mistake. They all did.

Sounding accusatory, he whispered, “You really shouldn’t be here.” Against her backside, she felt the rise of his excitement.

The tiny thrill she felt was surely confidence. “Perv.”

Warm breath brushed her temple. “That’s justified.” Voice hoarse, guilty, he said, “I’m sorry for that, too.” His nose touched her hair, he inhaled—

Taking swift advantage, Arizona delivered a brutal head butt that made his arms go slack. This time she turned more quickly, and her knee landed with precision.

Mouth open, expression blank for an instant in time, he said, “That was…” Groaning, he dropped hard to his knees and rasped, “Unnecessary.”

“You shouldn’t be here.” Hands fisted, body alive with rampant and conflicting sensations, Arizona railed. “Why are you? What are you up to?”

He held himself and groaned.

What he’d wanted with her, she didn’t know, but she wasn’t an idiot. He was far too big, too skilled and strong for her to take on. Any second now, he’d regain his breath.

And after crushing his boys, she imagined his good will would be long gone.

Making a strategic retreat, she snatched up her wallet and ran back to her car. In seconds she was locked inside. Seconds after that, a grim smile in place, she fired up the engine.

Spencer hit the passenger door window with a furious curse, but she shoved the car in gear and stomped the gas pedal. In the rearview mirror, she saw him jump away from the car to keep from being run over.

Her tires squealed. Rubber burned.

She couldn’t get far enough away, fast enough.

He wasn’t like the others, and she wanted no part of him.

But not for a very, very long time had she felt so…awakened. The numbness of pain and betrayal and hatred that usually pervaded her soul and kept her going against exhaustion both physical and mental, now waned under a strange pulsing heat. Her arms tingled. Her stomach fluttered.

Ah, God. Not good.

No way would she meet Jackson at the designated spot, not when trouble followed her. It’d take her another hour to get close. He wasn’t in town, she knew that.

Instead of hitting up the abandoned warehouse as prearranged, she’d go to his apartment. She’d hole up there until she knew for certain that she’d thrown anyone who might be tailing her.

And if she couldn’t be sure, well then, she’d call it off. Jackson would know what to do.

Unlike her, he never f**ked up.

Unlike her, he was really something else. Something good. Funny and noble and possessed of an innate honor forever out of her reach.

She would always do her best to help keep him that way.