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rather she chose to stay than be forced to out of fear. No, not yet , he told himself. I’ll finish the job then
tell her what I am.
    When streaks of sunlight began filtering
through the trees, he carefully untangled himself from their tender
embrace then pulled on his pants. After cooking a batch of eggs
over the hot coals, he laid them on a plate and placed it beside
her along with the revolver. Carefully, so as not to wake her, he
draped a blanket over her gorgeous naked body then laid one of his
shirts and a pair of jogging pants at her side. She’ll need
clothes to wear. He grinned while thinking back to their savage
hot lovemaking. Is that what it was? Did we make love or merely
surrender to undeniable lust for one another?
    He knew she’d be safe while he hunted down
the second prick on her list. He wanted to avoid more questions and
possible second-guessing on her part. She had come this far. He was
determined to see her through.
    Jona Maxwell wouldn’t be found in the woods,
so Ice knew he’d have to shift into human form ahead of time and
make a stealthy approach. The man owned a restaurant and from the
information Sasha had given him, the next target would be going
into work to open for the day and most likely would be alone—Ice
hoped. He avoided witnesses not for his sake but theirs. Though
they could never catch him, he still detested the thought of an
innocent bystander caught in an ugly scene.
    This morning’s journey took him a bit farther
east to a small depressed area of a major city. The glorious
sensation of flying never grew old. He loved soaring above the
trees and among the clouds, free from the filth of this world, free
of hate and prejudice. His life in the forest suited him. People
did not excite him. Well, just one now, the lovely and passionate
Sasha. Even so, he wasn’t about to leave his life of serenity and
return to a world of war.
    And this is why he regretted letting her into
his heart. No doubt, a woman like her would not accept an isolated
life away from the mainstream. She had a child and a grandchild. He
couldn’t expect or even hope that she’d give up the family she
fought so hard to save just to spend her days with him.
    He flew overhead peering through smog to
locate the establishment. Spotting it below and tucked between two
adjacent buildings, he swooped down and landed on the roof. Once
his assignment was complete, the woman would be gone and his lonely
heart would return. He cursed himself for allowing his feelings to
come back to life, and also cursed the men who’d driven such a
beautiful woman over the edge. Had they only behaved in a civil
manner, she’d not have sought him out and his heart would still be
safe.
    Reluctantly, Ice focused to shift into human
form. Talons receded along with the beak, feathers and his other
bird parts. A metal ladder attached to the rear of the building led
to the ground. Quickly and silently he slid down the building.
Nobody appeared to have arrived yet so he waited. About a half an
hour later a short, stocky man with cropped black hair rounded the
corner. There was no mistaking his identity. He looked exactly like
his photo.
    The man looked him over with open disdain.
“Go on home, buddy. We don’t need vagrants loitering around the
dumpsters. I’ll send leftovers to the soup kitchen down the street.
You can get something to eat there.”
    Ice forced back a laugh. “You think I’m
homeless?”
    “Well, look at you! You’re not even wearing a
fucking shirt!” he sneered with a mocking laugh. “Get a job,
asshole.” He moved to push past.
    “I have one. Sasha hired me.” His voice was
stone cold.
    At the mention of her name, Jona’s head shot
up. “Who?”
    “Sasha Turner, you know, the mother of your
wife?”
    His expression fell. “Tell that bitch to stay
away from us if she knows what’s good for her.”
    “Is that a threat?” Ice cocked one brow.
    “Take it however you want. Now step
aside.”
    Ice didn’t