Sudden gunfire made her jolt. Boone grabbed her arm.
Gemma turned her head and saw Radu, with a bloody face, firing at Atlas.
No.
But the dog was fast, zigzagging wildly. He sprinted into the trees.
Gemma’s heart started to pound even harder. Radu heaved himself up, and she tried to shield Boone.
“I was told this would be an easy job. Snatch a spoiled heiress off the street, and deliver her. An easy paycheck.” The merc waved his gun around, blood oozing down his cheek. “This is not easy.” His voice rose. “When we tracked you to this man’s farm, we saw he had military experience. But he was just one man, and there was nothing special in his background.”
Boone rose, pulling Gemma close, and stared at the mercenary. “I was special forces.”
Radu nodded. “Your background didn’t mention that.”
Now Boone smiled, and it raised the hairs on Gemma’s arms.
“Ever heard of Ghost Ops?” Boone asked quietly.
Radu blanched.
“I guess you have. And you know what that means. It means my friend down the hill will have already dealt with your men down there.” Boone’s face hardened. “And I’ll deal with you. There is not any option where I let you hurt her.”
Radu bared his teeth. “I’m the one holding the weapon.”
“I don’t need a weapon.”
The merc’s dark eyes flared. “I think I’ll tie you up, and make you watch while I hurt her.”
Gemma felt Boone tense.
“I know so many interesting ways to cause pain,” Radu continued.
“Try it,” Boone growled.
Radu lunged forward and Boone charged to meet him, knocking Gemma out of the way. She watched him tackle Radu to the ground. The men wrestled.
The mercenary hit Boone in the chest, and she gasped. The asshole was trying to hit Boone where he was hurt. She saw Boone flinch, but he didn’t loosen his hold on the man. He reared his head back and headbutted Radu. The mercenary made an angry sound.
Gemma looked around for a weapon. There was nothing, dammit. Then she spied a good-sized rock. She snatched it up and hurried over to where the men rolled in the dirt. She slammed the rock down into Radu’s back.
The mercenary cursed. She hit him again.
The men rolled a few more times, the fight vicious. It was all elbows, grappling, and grunts. Radu broke free and rose, blood smeared on his teeth, and his dark hair mussed.
Boone leaped up.
Then Radu held up an object, and she saw Boone freeze.
Oh, hell. It was a grenade.
Radu smiled. “It seems I do have an option where I get to hurt her.”
God. What did they do now? Her heart hammered against her ribs, and she met Boone’s gaze.
“Boone, I need to tell you something.” She swallowed. She had to tell him. She might not get another chance. “I’m falling in love with you.”
His head jerked. “Gemma—”
“Shut up,” Radu said. “In a few seconds, you’ll be dead, and I’ll be dragging her by the hair to my employer.”
“That won’t be happening today,” a cool, lethal voice said.
Gemma’s head whipped up. A man stepped out of the trees dressed in black tactical gear, a rifle up and aimed at Radu. His face was handsome, but that wasn’t the first thing she noticed. The first thing was the dangerous intensity emanating off him.
She gasped. Vander Norcross.
Shep stepped out on Vander’s left. Another man appeared on his right—Declan Ward.
Several other people, all carrying rifles, emerged from the trees. She recognized Cal Ward, who was accompanied by a big man with hair almost to his shoulders, and a tall, dangerous-looking woman with black hair. Gemma guessed they were all members of Treasure Hunter Security.
Radu’s face twisted and his arm moved to pull the pin on the grenade.
“Don’t,” Vander clipped.
Shep fired. The bullet caught Radu in his right arm. He dropped the grenade, and it fell harmlessly to the ground.
Boone reached for Gemma, and she wrapped her arms around him.
“Once again, your timing is spot on, Shep,” Boone said dryly.
Shep shrugged. “Someone has to save your ass.”
Boone smiled. “Glad you did.”
Sitting on the grass, Boone pulled his vest off. Fuck, his chest hurt.
Gemma crouched beside him, worry etched on her face. “Boone.”
He ignored the others as they secured Radu and pulled her onto his lap. Then he tipped her head back and kissed her.
She made a sound, her hand curling around his neck. She kissed him back until he heard a sob escape her.
“Baby.” He pressed his nose to hers. “It’s all okay, now.”
“I thought he’d killed you.” Her gaze met his, glimmering with tears. “I can’t lose you.”
His chest was so damn tight. He tugged her closer. “Why?”
“You know why.” She pressed her forehead to his.
“Tell me again.”
“Because I’m falling in love with you.”
Damn. He felt like his chest expanded several times over. It felt so good to hear that, and to see it shining in her pretty eyes.
For a long time, he hadn’t wanted to feel. Hell, he couldn’t feel because he’d been numb and drowning in guilt.
Now Gemma had opened up something inside him.
“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.