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here.”
    “You don’t look as if you belong either,” she said.
    At that, he quirked a brow. “Looks can be deceiving.”
    “Yes, they can, can’t they?”
    “Look, I’ll pay for your beer since it is Christmas and all.” He glanced around the room. His shoulders were as tight as steel under his hand-tailored blazer. She wasn’t exaggerating when she’d said he looked out of place in the Broken Cricket. She blended into the bar much more smoothly than he could ever hope to. “I don’t mean to be rude. I just don’t want any company right now.”
    He tossed a few dollars on the table in front of them and began to inch out of the seat.
    “Wait.” She covered his hand with hers. Their eyes met. An electricity rose between them, catching her completely off-guard as the tingling settled low in her belly.
    She mentally kicked herself. This seedy bar was not the kind of place where she’d willingly hook up with a man. And Grayson was certainly not the kind of man who could give her the happily-ever-after she never really wanted in the first place.
    He’d murdered his best friend, she reminded herself. But still, when she withdrew her hand, she could not deny the pang of regret in her chest. Surprising really, her emotions rarely intruded into her professional life.
    He stared at her, looking just about as startled as she felt. His soft brown eyes weren’t nearly as sharp as the man’s she had seen in her file photo. Exhaustion had taken a toll. This was a man who had not slept a full night in months. He was nearing the end of his rope.
    She’d have to take extra care with him.
    “At least walk me out.” She glanced toward the back exit. “I don’t want to have to fight off any of these bar beasts tonight. Not on Christmas Eve.”
    He shrugged. “Guess it wouldn’t be right to leave you alone. Come on.” He pushed up from the table and waited for her to follow.
    She looped her arm around his and easily directed him toward the back exit. He held the door open as she stepped out. The air was damp and sharp from the winter cold, a refreshing change from the smoke-filled bar.
    “Oh,” she said with a mock shiver. “Is it ever cold!” She waited for him to close the distance. He wasn’t much taller than she was. She’d guess that he had a few inches on her. Still, she’d clearly felt the strength in his arm muscles, and wasn’t about to take any chances with him.
    The heavy back door slammed against its frame, leaving them in near darkness. She could hear, better than see, the scraping of footfalls as he approached.
    Her heart still insisted on feeling a vague tenderness toward him, damn him. He was a killer, she reminded herself.
    Vicious. Heartless.
    She’d made it a point to memorize the crime scene photos. Gruesome had been an understatement.
    “I know who you are, Grayson Walker.” It wasn’t her job to judge him. She just needed to deliver him back to the justice system. “I know what you’ve done.” She raised her gun. She’d do well to remember he’d already killed one bounty hunter. “It’s time to return to Atlanta and face responsibility.”
    She heard him suck in quick a breath. “Tommy said you smelled like a cop. I should’ve believed him. Since when does a cop look like she belongs on the cover of a fashion magazine?”
    He didn’t seem to notice the gun in her hand, a weapon that could easily leave several gaping holes in the center of his chest. Or if he did notice, he didn’t care. He walked casually toward her, arms spread wide.
    “I’m more dangerous to you than the police, Grayson. I’m a bounty hunter. I don’t get paid unless you get captured.”
    He laughed in the darkness, a rather pitiful sound. “The fourth one, I believe. I wonder what makes you think you can succeed where those other brainless goons have failed? Are you planning to seduce me into surrendering?”
    Without warning, he lowered his head and tackled her, tossing her to the ground as if they