Ever wonder why life is so difficult? I do all the time. I'll admit I started out to a bad start but you know what they say, 'learn from your mistakes.' That's exactly what I did when I had my brief marriage to Richard (Dickie) Orr. Long story short… I caught him and Joyce on my kitchen table. That was the end of that. After him I've gone on a few dates… nothing terrific. I do have one on-again off-again boyfriend. His name is Joseph Morelli. Then of course there is Ricardo Carlos Mañoso. Everyone calls him Ranger (street name). Ranger has been my friend and mentor since I started bounty hunting. Did I happen to mention I was a bounty hunter? Must have slipped my mind like so many other things… like running for example. The only time you need to run is when you're running for your life. That happens to me almost every day. My name is Stephanie Plum and I am Trenton's "Bombshell Bounty Hunter."

I cracked my eyes open carefully trying to avoid the bright light streaming in my windows. I grunted, rolled over and put the pillow over my head. I knew better not to go out for a drink with Lula. One drink turned into two, two turned into three and so on. I can't remember anything that happened, come to think of it, I don't remember getting back to my apartment. There was a loud ringing noise beside my bed and at that moment I knew I was hung over. Great, just great.

I reached over to the nightstand and searched for the phone. I knocked a few things over but in the end I found it and I really wished I hadn't.

"'llo?" I mumbled incoherently.

"Stephanie Plum! This is your mother," I rolled my eyes and wanted to say 'no really?' but I restrained myself.

"What's this I hear about you getting drunk and a young man having to bring you home?"

Those words made me sit straight up in bed and look around my room. I looked down at myself and realized that I was no longer wearing my clothes from last night, but a long nightshirt. I started to panic.

"Mom, I got to go I'm going to be late to work. Call you back later!" I rushed to hang up the phone.

I quietly got out of my bed and looked for a weapon I could use against someone. Of course this being me, I always leave my gun in my cookie jar. I walked over to my window and debated if the fire escape could hold me. 'Wait a second, this is being silly' I told myself. I don't even know if some is in my apartment and the guy who brought me home could have been Joe or perhaps Ranger.

I walked to my bedroom door and reached for the handle. That's when I heard it. It was a male voice, that much I'm sure. It sounded as if they fell off the couch and swore. I turned around really fast and almost tripped over the shoes I wore last night.

I fell backwards against the door and made a big enough noise that the guy in my living room came to check it out. I heard his footsteps getting closer and closer to my door. I closed my eyes and tried to take deep, even breaths. 'Why me? Why me?' I thought over and over again.

I went to stand a little behind the door so when he opened it I would be hidden. I flattened myself against the wall as much as I could, praying it would be enough. His footsteps came to a halt right outside my door. He knocked three times. I was shocked that he knocked.

"Honey, are you awake?" his deep voice traveled threw the door.

I stared dumbfounded as the doorknob began to turn. The door opened slowly, cautiously. I closed my eyes wishing that the man would peek in and go away. I knew better though. I heard him walk into the room. I never opened my eyes because I feared what I would see. I felt the air shift as he walked towards me and stopped. I slowly opened my eyes and stared into a face I thought I'd never see again. Relief swept through me.

"Oh my god! When did you get here?" I shouted into his face. His only answer was a smile.