Tip of the Spear (41 page)

She
didn’t argue as they left the office by way of the back door, until he tried to
hold her hand.

“Let
go,” she growled.

They
rounded the alley and joined the throng of people strolling down the wayfare, the
city on one side, the ocean on the other.

He
whispered harshly into her pretty little ear, “Look, unless you want everyone
to see us fleeing justice, pretend to hold my hand like we’re sweethearts. And
try to smile without it breaking your face.”

Her
smile in no way reached her eyes. “My name’s not Blondie. It’s Luiza.”

Her
accent, her clothes, and her demeanor told him she wasn’t from Rainbow. The
town catered to oddballs, but this woman took strange to a whole new level. More
attention he didn’t need or want.

“Look,
the sooner we find someone to take off these cuffs, the sooner we can part.”

“Goddess,
yes,” she muttered.

They
walked toward the docks, and he saw a familiar face.

“Shit.”
Without giving her a chance to argue, he pulled her toward the alley between
the mercantile and the apothecary and sandwiched her against the wall of the
building. A glance over his shoulder showed United Territorial Jonathon Colter looking
around…
for him
.

There
was no help for it. They’d have to leave town. He couldn’t trust anyone here
not to give him up for the hefty reward. And if by some reason loyalty kept
them quiet, Colter’s lethal presence would put the fear of the UTO into them. They’d
spill for sure.

“What
are you doing?” Luiza’s voice rose.

“Shh.
Whatever you do, don’t draw attention to us.”

To
his disgust, his dick spiked, caught in arousal for the female and amped by a
rush of challenge in avoiding Colter.  

She
tensed under him. “Get. Off. Me.”

When
he looked into her eyes, he saw what looked like fear.

He
didn’t like it one bit. “Look, I’m sorry. I don’t want anything from you but to
get these cuffs off and avoid the law, in particular—that man to your right.”

She
didn’t have to ask which one. Colter possessed an aura of danger that had the people
in the streets parting for him as he moved.

“The
killer with the black hair. A dangerous man,” she said in a wary tone.

“That’s
the one.” He eased back, giving her space. “I know someone who can help us get
rid of our restraints. But it’s a five day journey to get to him. And that’s on
horseback.”

She
narrowed her gaze. “Which way?”

“Toward
Cali, I think.”

“You
think?”

“Toward
Cali.” He nodded. Sam had planned to settle somewhere, and if Chase recalled
correctly, he had family in the Cali Territory, near the town of Shawnee. Sam
was big on family and loyalty. He’d help Chase because he owed him. And no one,
not even Jonathan Colter, could scare Sam.

Luiza
studied him.

He
felt the weight of her judgment, like the balance of scales that would
hopefully even out in his favor.

She
sighed. “I need to search Cali anyway. Fine. I’ll go with you. But this someone
you know had better get the cuffs off.”

“He’s
a blacksmith and strong as an ox. Trust me, he’ll do it.”

“One
more thing.”

“What’s
that?”

“No
touching except when absolutely necessary. I don’t like you, I don’t like men,
and I don’t like this situation.” The look she gave him pissed him the hell
off.

“No
problem. You’re not my type anyway.”
I’m not into leggy angels with pouty
lips and perky breasts under strange men’s garb. And I’m definitely not into a
tight ass so firm it’s all I can do to concentrate on escaping and not bending
you over and…
“Come on,” he said gruffly, wondering when lightning would
strike him. He’d already been cursed thrice. Set up at the bar, stuck with this
woman, and no pleasure in sight after a long two month stretch of celibacy.

Could
his life get any worse?

“There
they are!” someone shouted from behind them.

They
shared a glance and took off running.

Yeah,
his life could get much, much worse.

******

And look for
Bite of the Blade
, book
two in the Amazon Western series, coming in 2013

Other Paranormal
Romance by Marie Harte

A Familiar Face
Journeyman’s Ride
Rachel’s Totem
In Plain Sight

Foxy Lady

Outfoxed

A Matter of Pride
Right Wolf, Right Time

Circe’s Recruits: Roane
Circe’s Recruits: Zack & Ace
Circe’s Recruits: Derrick
Circe’s Recruits: Hale

Fallon’s Flame
Hayashi’s Hero
Julian’s Jeopardy
Gunnar’s Game

Grayson’s Gamble

Namesake
Kate Undone
The Dragons’ Demon

Duncan’s Descent
Enemy Red

Wolf Wanted

Jericho Junction

The Fire Within
Below the Surface
Gale Season

Aftershocks

Guardian’s Redemption

And for more paranormal, contemporary and futuristic
romance by Marie, visit her website, where she has more than sixty titles to
choose from.
www.marieharte.com

About the Author

Marie
Harte is an avid reader who loves all things romantic. Reading romances since
she was twelve, she fell in love with happy endings and knew writing was her
calling. Over twenty years later, the Marine Corps, a foray through Information
Technology, and children, her dream has finally come true. Marie lives in
Oregon with her family and loves hearing from readers.

To read more about Marie, visit
http://www.marieharte.com