Lean Stroud is wanted for robbery and a murder he didn't commit. On the run to California with his partner-in-crime, Kenneth, he spots the relentless bounty hunter, Thomas Grady, on the train. The only way to protect Kenneth is to create a distraction, and that's what he does when he flees the train at the top of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He forces Thomas to chase him, but nothing can prepare him for what it means to be caught.<br><br>Thomas Grady always gets his man, and Leon Stroud is no exception to that rule. But almost from the moment Thomas touches Leon, he wants the outlaw for something besides his bounty. Driven by desire he doesn't understand, he repeatedly claims Leon's body on the long journey from Soda Springs to San Francisco -- and Leon only begs for more. An even bigger threat, with a larger bounty, could be the very thing they need to drive them together. Or tear them apart.

Stealing West

“I still want that bag of money.” Thomas allowed the contact to continue. God knew it would end soon enough anyway. “You did what you thought you had to do, no doubt. I do what I have to do.”


“Or what you like.” The bartender slid their drinks in front of them, and Leon picked up his glass. “I can’t say I don’t respect that.” A sly twinkle appeared in his eye. “Or appreciate it.”


Thomas actually believed Leon did appreciate it—he wouldn’t respond the way he did if he didn’t appreciate what Thomas did to him. Maybe that’s why they were lingering over shots of whiskey. If Leon didn’t want it—didn’t look so comfortable bearing those marks—would they still be sitting there? No, Thomas didn’t believe so.


The whiskey was strong enough to burn his throat and make the back of his eyes tingle. He gestured for another round and turned to Leon when a single word caught his attention. Phoenix.


Chapter 22