The Hero She Needs (Unbroken Heroes Book 1)(40)

Oh, God. An icy cold washed over her.

“What is it?” Boone asked.

She swallowed, her throat tight. “I did work with ZonaTech. When I was at Expanse. I was the project lead.”

He leaned forward. “What was the project, Gemma?”

She swallowed again. “Data storage for low-orbit communications satellites. We did lots of behind-the-scenes systems stuff.”

“Systems that ZonaTech then probably used when they created Flux for military applications,” Shep said.

Boone nodded. “Carruthers thinks that you can give him a backdoor into Flux.”

“Which he then wants to sell off to the highest bidder.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. “I feel sick.”

“Send the intel to Vander.”

She nodded and saw Shep and Boone lock gazes.

“It isn’t just Gemma’s safety at risk now,” Boone said quietly, “but national security. Hell, global security. If terrorists or unfriendly nations could redirect other countries’ missiles and drones…

“How could someone do this?” Gemma shot to her feet. “Carruthers must have no conscience.”

Boone rose and wrapped his arms around her. “Like a lot of people, he just cares more about money and power.”

She looked up at him. “You don’t?”

His gaze locked on hers. “I have more than enough money. I don’t need much. And I don’t give a flying fuck about power.” For a second, his gaze changed, and she knew he’d gone somewhere dark. “In life-or-death situations, it doesn’t matter much.”

“You haven’t once asked about my father, or—”

Boone gripped her jaw. “Because what I feel for you has nothing to do with your father.”

God, this man. She managed a small smile. “You don’t want a job at Expanse?”

“Fuck, no.”

“Or a Ferrari and a few million dollars?”

He shook his head. “I’m a truck man, and I don’t need a few million dollars.”

“You really mean that,” she murmured.

“Yes.” He nibbled her lips. “Now, more of your sweet body, and lots of your cupcakes, those I want.”

“I’ll take a Ferrari,” Shep said.

She jerked. She’d forgotten the other man was there. Shep headed for the door.

“My cue to leave. Thanks for dinner, Gemma. I’ll see you two in the morning.” Then he was gone.

Gemma wound her arms around Boone, and he pulled her close. Right here, she felt safe. Like nothing could touch her.

“Boone, Flux is worth a lot to Carruthers. He’s not gonna stop coming after me.”

Boone’s grip tightened. “Carruthers is not touching you, Gemma. I swear.”





Boone eyed the mine structure high on the hill above them. It was a dilapidated wooden building clinging to the hillside. Below it was a patch of yellow aspens surrounded by dense evergreen trees.

He was sitting on the porch, watching Gemma and Atlas run around on the grass.

He hadn’t had a nightmare last night. He’d spent the night spooning Gemma, or fucking her, and the rest of the time, he’d slept like a log.

Then he’d started his day with his head between her legs, after which they’d had a very long shower.

Despite everything going on, he hadn’t felt this light in a long time.

Must be the good food, cupcakes, and hot sex.

No, that wasn’t the truth. It was Gemma.

She’d woken him up.

And she was in more danger than he’d thought. His hand clenched into a fist. Whatever he had to do to keep her safe, he’d do it.

The rumble of Shep’s truck caught his ear. His friend had left earlier this morning to head into the local town for some things.

Shep parked, then sliced out of the truck, and Boone stiffened. He knew his friend well enough to tell he was tense and worried about something.

Shep headed over, watching as Atlas leaped on Gemma. She went down, giggling as she play-wrestled with Boone’s dog.

Damn, watching the pair of them made his chest tighten.

Shep leaned against the porch railing.

“I’m guessing the trip to town didn’t run smoothly?” Boone said.

“There are some guys in town. Asking questions. I couldn’t risk getting too close, but I reckon they’re your mercenaries.”

“Fucking hell.” Boone bit off a curse. “Shep, how the hell could they have found her? They’ve managed to track her—” He broke off, horror dawning.

Shep cursed. “They have a tracker on her.”

“She has new clothes—”

“It has to be on her body somewhere.”

Fuck. Boone rose. Another violation of Gemma’s life. “If they have a tracker, why are they asking questions in town? Why aren’t they here already?”

Shep’s mouth flattened. “Reception sucks here. Maybe they can’t get an exact lock on her, just a general area.”

They didn’t have a lock on her yet, but he knew the clock was ticking.

He looked up and saw Gemma watching him. Her smile was gone, and her face was pale. Slowly, she walked over.

“What’s going on?”