The Hero She Needs (Unbroken Heroes Book 1)(50)

“I’m falling in love with you, too,” he told her.

With a cry, she pressed her lips to his.

He kissed her hungrily. She was safe. Finally. And she loved him.

It was the best feeling in the world.

He pulled back and saw Vander watching them. His old commander raised a brow.

“Any injuries, you two?” Declan asked.

Gemma nodded. “Boone was shot.”

“Just a bullet to the vest. I’m fine.” He accepted Declan’s hand to get up. “Gemma’s leg got caught under some rocks. It got banged up.”

“Just scratches. It’ll keep for now.” She leaned into him.

“Shep?” Boone said. “You all right?”

His friend strode over. “All good.”

Boone slapped his friend’s shoulder, incredibly grateful for his help. Then Boone looked at Declan. “Thanks for coming.”

The man nodded. “I grabbed my team, and we flew up in a helo.”

“I owe you.” Then he turned to Vander. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“After you were attacked in Denver, I decided to pop in for a visit.” He glanced around, his gaze hitting Radu and turning Arctic. “Glad I did.”

Boone slid an arm around Gemma. “She safe now?”

Vander nodded. “It’s over.”

Gemma straightened. “Really?”

“William Carruthers was arrested by the British police today.”

Gemma jolted, and Boone squeezed the back of her neck. “That’s good news.”

“It’s really over,” she whispered.

Vander nodded. “Your father pulled a lot of strings and called in a lot of favors. Once it was uncovered that Carruthers was behind your abduction, your father wouldn’t rest until he was taken down.”

Her lips parted. “Dad did that?”

“He did. And he’s here. He demanded to come and see that you were safe.”

“Dad’s here?” She glanced down the hill.

“He’s waiting down at the cabins,” Vander added.

Suddenly, there was rustling in the nearby bushes. Everyone swiveled and snapped their weapons up.

A German Shepherd bounded out of the trees, and made a beeline for Boone and Gemma.

Boone smiled, relief hitting him.

“Atlas!” Gemma beamed at the dog.

They both patted him, and his tail wagged madly. Gemma crouched and hugged the dog’s neck.

“This guy right here was one of my heroes today.”

Boone rubbed Atlas between the ears. “Good work, boy.”

“He’s earned a year’s worth of dog treats,” Gemma said.

“What about me?” Boone complained.

She shot him a sexy smile. “Oh, you’ll get a special thank you. Don’t worry.”

He felt a throb of desire that he fought for control. “You really falling in love with me?”

Her lips pressed together, and she nodded.

“How do you feel about living in Vermont?” He knew that both he and Atlas could never make a home in LA, but he’d do whatever he needed to do to make Gemma happy.

“I like it a lot,” she said. “As long as I have you, I don’t care where we are.” She smiled. “Oh, and I need a kitchen so I can bake.”

“It just so happens that I have the kitchen.”

“I know.”

“And I’m really ready to fall the rest of the way in love with you.”

He saw warmth fill her eyes. He kissed her again, pulling in the sweet taste of her.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Vander’s voice was faintly amused. “I think you’d better head down and let your father know that you’re all right.”

Gemma nodded and took Boone’s hand.

Right, time to meet a billionaire. One whose daughter he was sleeping with.

Boone suddenly felt more uneasy than when he’d faced down the mercenaries. But nothing and no one would keep him from Gemma.





As they stepped into Shep’s clearing, Gemma glanced around.

Oh, God. Her fingers clenched on Boone’s hand. The cabin closest to them was riddled with bullet holes. Another one was a wreck and still on fire.

“Shep, I’m so sorry. I’ll cover the cost of all of this.”

Boone’s friend shook his head. “It’s nothing I can’t fix.”

She saw several mercenaries sitting on the ground with their hands and feet zip-tied. A handsome black man, and a lean man with pitch-black hair were watching them. More of Declan’s team. There were also several bodies laid out under white sheets.

She averted her gaze. She was damn glad that Carruthers would pay for all of this.

Then she saw the sleek, gray SUV parked in front of Shep’s cabin—a Lamborghini Urus. Her father stood beside it with two of his security team. Her dad looked worried.

When he spotted her, his face changed. “Gemma.”

“Go,” Boone urged her.

She ran to her dad, and was engulfed in his arms.

“Jesus, we were so worried.” He hugged her hard.

“I’m all right, Dad. I promise.”

He pulled back, his gaze searching her face. “You’re sure?”