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.”
“You are so fucked. She’s got her hooks in you deep.”
He glanced at his friend as they stepped out of the mine tunnel. “Yes. And I like it.”
Shep shook his head and hefted his rifle. “Let’s go and teach these assholes they shouldn’t mess with Ghost Ops.”
Boone smiled darkly. “Hell, yeah.”
“I’ve got a couple of blinds set up in the trees around the cabins.”
“Of course, you do.”
“And we have just enough time to set up a few little surprises as well.” Shep’s lips curled. “If they think they have the advantage, they’re in for a surprise.”
Moving swiftly, they reached the cabins in a fraction of the time it took them to go up the hill with Gemma. Boone scanned the area.
Shep checked his camera feed on his phone. “They’re getting close. We don’t have much time. Come on.”
Boone followed Shep back into the barn. His friend moved right to the back and stopped at a dusty crate. He flicked open the lid to uncover a tough metal container protected by a high-tech lock.
Shep pressed his palm to the lock, and it beeped. The lid opened with a hiss. Inside was a bunch of weapons and grenades nestled in foam.
“You turning into a doomsday prepper, Barlow?”
“Fuck you, Hendrix. You’ll be thankful I have all this in a few minutes.” He pulled out a ballistic vest and shoved it at Boone’s chest.
They both pulled their vests on, tightening the fastenings. As Shep reached for the weapons, Boone grabbed his friend’s arm. “Shep, thank you.”
“Told you that you never, ever have to thank me for having your back.”
Boone nodded. “Ditto.”
They both grabbed more weapons and grenades. Then they hurried outside to set some boobytraps.
“I’ll take the high blind,” Shep said.
That made sense. Shep was a hell of a sniper.
“The other one’s in that tree.” He pointed. “Climb about halfway up and you’ll spot it.”
Boone couldn’t see it, but he’d find it.
Shep nodded. “Let’s do this.” He fished something out of his pocket and held it out. Boone took the earpiece and slipped it in.
Then they clasped hands. “Good hunting, Shep. I’m glad you have my back.”
“Always.” Then the big man jogged into the trees.
Boone headed to the tree Shep had shown him, and climbed the branches. The blind was a small wooden platform hidden by camouflage netting. It blended perfectly into the branches and leaves. He got settled and checked his rifle.
“We’ll pick off as many as we can,” Boone said. “Then go hunting.”
Once the mercenaries had his and Shep’s locations, they’d need to switch to close-quarter combat.
“Acknowledged.”
Boone glanced up at the mine. “Stay hidden and safe, Gemma.”
Now it was time for him to protect his woman.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Boone lay flat and still, his eye pressed to the scope. He scanned the treeline beyond the cabins for movement.
Nothing yet.
His chest was tight, his gut churning. He was very aware that Gemma was up in the mine, alone except for Atlas. He hated that she was unprotected.
Usually on a mission he found his center, his mind cool and sharp. But with her so close, and a damn army coming for her, it made it hard.
She mattered too much.
So get your head in the game, Hendrix. Take these assholes down and protect her.
When he’d left her, she’d looked at him with trust. He wouldn’t let her down. At the thought, his system steadied.