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

“You better know the name of the guy who is going to cut out your liver. What do you think you’re doing in my girl’s room?”


So far, the rumors about Phoenix were panning out. He didn’t fight the larger man’s grip; the last thing he needed was to look hostile. “Just saying howdy to an old friend.” Leaning a little closer, he lowered his voice into a conspiratorial tone. “Had to take a little detour when a bounty hunter got a little close, actually. You know how that goes, right?”


“No, because I’m not stupid enough to get a bounty hunter on my tail.” Phoenix pushed him back to the chair with nearly enough force to break the furniture. “And I hope for your sake, one didn’t follow you here.”


Susie’s laughter drifted back from the dressing table. “Nobody catches Leon. Don’t let him fool you, David.”


Leon grinned up at him. “You heard her. Don’t let me fool you.”


Chapter 33