The Hero She Needs (Unbroken Heroes Book 1)(43)

Boone nodded.

Oh no. Her stomach dropped. “There are at least a dozen of them.”

“I’m in,” Shep said.

Boone swiveled her to look at him. “Gemma, you need to stay here. Whatever you hear, whatever happens, you can’t come out.”

Shep nodded. “Stay in here and stay quiet.”

“Wait.” Boone leaned forward. “Shep, zoom in on the truck.”

His friend tapped the keyboard. Then both men cursed.

“What?” she demanded.

Boone’s face looked the grimmest she’d ever seen. “They have RPGs.”

Her eyes widened. “Missiles?”

“They could raze all the buildings to the ground,” Shep said.

Her hand clenched on Boone’s arm. “Oh, my God.”

Boone squeezed the back of her neck. “We need to hide her somewhere safe.”

“I know a place.” Shep rose. “The mine.”





They moved through the trees quickly, heading up the hillside toward the old mine. Atlas kept pace with Shep, who was leading the way.

“Boone—”

“It’s going to be okay, Gemma.”

But he and Shep were heavily outnumbered. He’d put in a call to Declan at Treasure Hunter Security for help, but Dec and his team were hours away. He carried a rifle and several weapons from Shep’s stash.

The mercs were coming for Gemma. They didn’t have much time.

All he had to do was keep them away from her. Make sure they couldn’t find her.

He already knew he was falling for her. Hell, had fallen—body, heart, and soul.

Gemma Newhouse was his to protect, his to care for, his to love.

His to die for.

“The mine is a maze of old tunnels,” Shep said. “Some are unsafe, so don’t wander around. We’ll find you a good area where you can hide.”

Face pale, she nodded.

They reached a locked metal door set in the side of the mountain. Shep pulled a ring of keys out.

“We aren’t going in through the mine building?” Boone eyed it farther up the hillside.

“The mercenaries might check there, or target it. This is a secondary adit. It’s better hidden.” Shep pushed the door open, and the hinges screeched in protest.

Boone clicked on a flashlight, as did Shep.

The tunnel wasn’t large, but it looked sturdy enough. They kept together as they headed in.

“Keep taking the left-hand tunnels,” Shep said.

They took the next left, then another. The next tunnel went straight into the mountainside. In a few areas, the tunnel widened up, and Boone saw old gear still stored there. There were stacked wooden crates, some old tools, and some rusted metal containers.

They reached an area where several tunnels speared off into the mountain. There were more wooden crates.

“This is a good spot,” Shep said. “That larger tunnel leads up into the main mine building.”

So Gemma wouldn’t be trapped if someone made it this far.

Shep met Boone’s gaze. “We need to get back and prepare.”

For the incoming assault. Boone really wished they had their full Ghost Ops team to help. He turned to Gemma. She was scared, but holding it together.

“Here.” He handed her the flashlight. “Stay hidden and quiet.”

She nodded.

“And take this.” He held out a handgun from Shep’s supply. “I know you can use it.”

She took the Smith & Wesson and looked at the rocky ground. So many emotions crossed her face.

“I’m also leaving Atlas with you.”

She looked up now. “You’ll be careful?”

“I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep you safe.”

Her face crumpled. “Boone—”

Then she threw her arms around him. He caught her, and her mouth slammed against his.

It was a hungry kiss, filled with emotion. She cupped his face. “You stay safe, Boone Hendrix. I want this to be over, and after this, you and I…”

“I know.”

“I’ve been uncertain and unsure about the direction of my life for a long time. Trying to live up to other people’s expectations. Trying to work out my own.” She pressed her forehead to his. “You see me.”

He held her tighter. “I do.”

“And I see you. All of you. I want you, Boone. It’s the surest thing I’ve ever known. Come back to me.”

Damn. Things twisted inside him. Now he kissed her.

“Boone, we have to go,” Shep said.

He forced himself to pull his lips from hers. Nodding, he set her down, then touched her cheek.

“Stay safe,” she whispered fiercely.

He nodded. Then he knelt down and hugged his dog. “You stay with her, Atlas.”

The dog butted his head against Boone’s chest.

He stroked Atlas’ muzzle. “I’ll be back.”

Then he made himself turn and walk away.

His jaw was tight as he trudged back down the tunnel. He didn’t let himself look back at them. He had to get his mind off Gemma and focus on the mission.

“You okay?” Shep asked as they took another turn in the tunnel.

“I will be once we take down these assholes. Once I know she’s safe.”