“You’re sweet.”
 
 If she truly remembered me, there’s no way she would call me that. I’m probably one of the most dangerous men she’ll ever meet, but I suppose it’s nice to pretend I’m however she sees me.
 
 “Thanks for helping me.” Her smile brightens when I hand her the last of the sachets.
 
 “You’re welcome.”
 
 We stand, and I tower over her five feet and four inches by an entire foot. As she looks up at me, she slides a lock of hair behind her ear.
 
 “Well, I suppose I’ll see you around.”
 
 “What’s your name?” I ask quickly, visibly throwing her off. Although I already know what she’s calling herself, asking for her name gives me a foot in the door for when I next see her.”
 
 “It’s Alice,” she replies. She’s still smiling, but there’s a slight rasp of hesitation in her voice.
 
 “Good to meet you, Alice.”
 
 “And you.”
 
 I step back, away from her. “See you around, too.Soon.”
 
 I allow my gaze to drift over her perfect body, hidden by the uniform she’s wearing, before I turn with all the reluctance in this world and leave.
 
 I grant myself one more look, finding she’s still staring at me with curiosity, but I turn away and keep walking through the door.
 
 After being without her for so long, those few moments weren’t nearly enough, but since I can’t do what I want to do, the mere seconds we spent together will have to be enough for now.
 
 Next time I see her—which will besoon—the only mindset I’ll have is to take her back home to New York with me.
 
 She might have forgotten who I am, but she’s still mine.
 
 ChapterTwo
 
 Olivia
 
 Alice…
 
 Every time I give someone that name, I feel like I need to check myself. Although I don’t remember my real name, I know Alice is not me.
 
 I chose the name fromAlice in Wonderlandbecause it seemed fitting to what I was going through.
 
 When I first woke up from whatever trouble I’d narrowly escaped, I didn’t know who I was. Neither did any of the people who were caring for me. The only thing they knew was that they needed to keep it that way—a secret.
 
 As I watch the deadly handsome man whom I was just speaking to walk down the road, I actually feel like I would have loved to tell him who I really am.
 
 He was the kind of rough and rugged handsome you see on a hero in an action film, and he had a deep Russian accent that would make any woman swoon.
 
 And like any other woman, I wasn’t immune to his striking good looks.
 
 There was also something about him that hooked me.
 
 Something that whispered to the deeper layers of my mind I can no longer access. Maybe I’ve finally gone crazy. It’s strange to feel such a thing for a stranger when we barely spoke. But that was how I felt.
 
 It would have been nice if my brain hadn’t turned to mush so I could have asked for his name, too. Maybe not knowing is better.
 
 Given my situation, and my recent debacle, the last thing I should be doing is fantasizing about mysterious handsome men.
 
 Especially one like him who oozed danger from every pore of his large, muscular, tattooed body.