For two years, Ares Gallo has been ransacking the galaxy for the woman who meant everything to him. They trained together, killed together, loved together, but now, Anicka Dekker doesn't even know who he is. All she knows every time she meets the enigmatic, scarred stranger is that a part of her trusts him. An even larger part desires him. In any and every way she can have him. Ares wants his wife back. Despite the scars that have changed his appearance and the chronic pain that destroyed his career, he follows Anicka from planet to planet, finding her in seedy bars, stately palaces, and everywhere in between. Every time they have a few moments of pure bliss, his hope blooms that this time…things will be different. Then, STRIKE, the organization that wanted them dead, tears them apart, erasing Anicka's memories, and Ares has to start all over again. But even if she can't remember him, he's certain she'll recognize their bond. Sooner or later.

Across the Universe

“I suppose I should be grateful for that much. If you had a partner, I probably wouldn’t be lying here with you now.”


“What about you? Have you ever worked with a partner? Or do you just hire yourself out like this all the time?”


“I worked with a partner once. You remind me of her, actually. Smart, fast, strong. But for the past few years, I’ve just been picking up whatever off job I can. Or, I suppose, whatever odd job finds me.”


Her hand moved lower, but now, when she encountered a new scar, she didn’t hesitate to explore it. Sometimes it tickled, like the long, skinny mark that curved along his ribs. Others made him hold his breath, waiting for the moment when she would ask about them. Because she always asked about them.


“Have you ever considered working more steadily? Like…for an organization.”


“Why not?” He felt her smile. “You take orders from me well enough.”


“Taking orders isn’t my problem. I’d never pass a physical.”


Chapter 19