The Hero She Needs (Unbroken Heroes Book 1)(25)

After an hour, they stopped at a small gas station. Gemma hung out with Atlas, while Boone spoke with Vander on a pay phone. But she kept sneaking glances at him.

What he’d done to her on his truck…? She bit her bottom lip and pressed her thighs together. Even with all the danger around them, even with people hunting them, she wanted him to do it again.

She wanted Boone’s hands on her. She wanted to explore that tough, hard body of his.

She watched him stride back to the truck and forced her little fantasies under control. His face was blank, his jaw tight.

“Any news?”

“Yes. Your father wants to talk with you.”

Her pulse jumped, and she hurried over to the pay phone. She lifted the receiver. “Hello?”

“Gem? God, are you all right?”

Her father’s worried voice made her chest tighten. “I’m okay, Dad.”

“Your mother and I have been so worried.”

Through the line, she heard her mother sob. “It’s been pretty scary, but I’m alive. I’m not hurt. Are you two all right?”

“We’re fine, honey. We’re back in LA.”

She lifted her gaze. “I got very lucky when Boone found me.”

“Vander has sung the man’s praises. We can’t thank him enough. Look, I’ve sent a full security team and a jet. They’ll be waiting for you when you reach Denver.”

Gemma’s hand tightened on the phone. “Oh?” In just a few hours, she’d be whisked away. Away from danger.

Away from Boone.

The emotions that hit her were stronger than she expected. She hadn’t known Boone long.

This was safest for everyone. For her, and for Boone. There would be no one shooting at his truck or attacking him if she were back in California.

God, she hadn’t expected this to hurt so much.

“Stick with Hendrix, Gemma. He’ll get you to the jet. This will all be over soon.”

“Okay, Dad.” Her voice was thick.

“Gemma…I know I don’t tell you enough, but I love you. You’ll always be my baby girl.”

Now her eyes filled with tears. “I love you too, Dad. And tell Mom as well.”

“We’ll see you soon.”

She hung up the phone, then turned to face Boone. He had his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

“So, my father’s sent a jet.”

Boone gave a quick nod. “Vander briefed me. We need to get to Denver as fast as we can, but stay off any major highways.”

He sounded like one of her father’s security team. Cool, detached, professional.

Pain wound around her chest. “Okay.”

“It’ll take us a little longer, but it’ll be safer. We’ll be there this evening, and I’ll take you straight to the airport.”

His voice was devoid of any emotion. Did he care? Kisses and hot moments aside, maybe he was glad to get rid of her. “Right. Did Vander say anything else?”

“Just that he and his team are still tracking who hired the mercenaries. Nothing more, yet.”

They headed back toward the truck.

“Gemma?”

She jerked her head up.

Something moved across his face, like he wanted to say something. Then he shook his head and opened the door for her.

Gemma tried to put on a brave face as Atlas jumped inside. “So, who’s in charge of picking the tunes next?” She climbed in.

Boone slid behind the wheel. “Me.” He reached over and changed it to a country station.

“Nooo.” She slapped a hand to her forehead. “These songs are always about the heartbroken man and his truck.”

He started the engine. “I know. Real music.”

She smiled, even though she felt a strange emptiness growing inside her.

Soon, this would be over.

Atlas dropped his head in her lap, and she rubbed between his ears. Both the dog and the man were going to make it very hard to say goodbye.





CHAPTER TEN





Taking the back roads added time. Night had fallen by the time they neared Denver. The city glowed in the distance, dwarfed by the shadows of the mountains behind it.

Gemma saw the signs for Denver Airport and felt like there was a rock in her stomach. Growing heavier with every mile.

She cleared her throat. “I can’t thank you enough for everything, Boone. Without you—” She shook her head. “I wouldn’t have made it.”

“You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

His words filled her with warmth. But he wasn’t looking at her. Instead he stared straight through the windshield, hands clamped on the steering wheel.

The air in the truck was thick and tense. She twisted her hands together. She had no right to feel this bereft about leaving him.

“I’m sure you’ll be glad to be rid of me.”

Suddenly, he wrenched the wheel and pulled off on the side of the road.

Gemma gasped, and Atlas raised his head.

Boone reached over and opened her door. “Atlas, explore.”

The dog happily complied and jumped out. Boone stayed in her personal space, his chest rising and falling fast.

“There is no time or place where I’d be happy to be rid of you.” His tone was low, lethal.