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

“Let me take you to dinner, too,” Ares said, shrugging on his shirt, “and you have a deal.”


They finished dressing quickly, and Ares took her hand without thinking. She didn’t pull away from him. As they walked through the garden, they caught a few curious stares—and a few dirty looks—but Ares ignored them. He was quite certain they weren’t the first couple to have sex on one of the garden floors, anyway.


His bunk was down on the fifth floor. It wasn’t exactly a suite, but even the cheapest room on the Paradisus was one hundred times better than what he was accustomed to. Especially since he wouldn’t have to worry about rats climbing over his clothes or cockroaches marching across his chest while he slept. He let her into the room first and engaged the lock behind them once the door shut.


“I’m assuming your bosses set you up with a slightly better room.”


Chapter 26