MISSION: HER RESCUE

TEAM 52 #2

ANNA HACKETT

Mission: Her Rescue

Published by Anna Hackett

Copyright 2018 by Anna Hackett

Cover by Melody Simmons of BookCoversCre8tive

Cover image by Paul Henry Serres

Edits by Tanya Saari

ISBN (ebook): 978-1-925539-58-5

ISBN (paperback): 978-1-925539-59-2

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, events or places is coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form.

CONTENTS

What readers are saying about Anna’s romances

Anna Hackett Box Set

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Preview - Mission: Her Security

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Also by Anna Hackett

About the Author

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ANNA’S ROMANCES

Heart of Eon - Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby) winner 2020

Cyborg - PRISM Award Winner 2019

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Unfathomed and Unmapped - Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby) finalists 2018

Unexplored – Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby) Novella Winner 2017

Return to Dark Earth – One of Library Journal’s Best E-Original Books for 2015 and two-time SFR Galaxy Awards winner

At Star’s End – One of Library Journal’s Best E-Original Romances for 2014

The Phoenix Adventures – SFR Galaxy Award Winner for Most Fun New Series and “Why Isn’t This a Movie?” Series

Hell Squad – SFR Galaxy Award for best Post-Apocalypse for Readers who don’t like Post-Apocalypse

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CHAPTER ONE

She ducked through the opening in the canvas and into her tent. The plane was taking off shortly and she needed to be on it.

Dr. January James pulled out her backpack and stuffed a change of clothes inside, along with her tablet and e-reader. Then, she carefully pulled the metal briefcase out from beneath her camp bed, opened it, and checked that the artifacts were secure. Both were securely wrapped in heavy covers and nestled in foam. She closed the case and locked it.

She released a breath. She wasn’t happy about leaving her archeological dig again. She’d already made one trip with an artifact that needed securing. Now, she had to leave her team to keep working while she suffered through plane food, airports, and having to sleep in a chair.

She swung her backpack over her shoulder, grabbed the metal case, and stepped outside.

Warm, damp air hit her face.

Dense jungle closed in around the archeological site. A pyramid sat in the center of the space. It didn’t look like much yet. Unlike the stunning, restored structures at Guatemala’s more famous Tikal, this pyramid resembled a muddy hill, rather than a breathtaking monument.

Her team had worked hard to uncover the lowest foundations, and some of the intricate stonework was now visible. Several of her team were crouched there now, working under a tarpaulin that had been strung up between some trees. The central staircase leading to the pyramid’s peak had also been uncovered, and another tarpaulin protected the team who was inside the structure. The rest of the pyramid was still covered in layers of mud, and several trees grew out of the sides of it, rising up to tangle with the rest of the thick, jungle canopy.

A mosquito buzzed around January’s face and she waved her arm. It had taken her team days of hard chopping and slashing to cut the vegetation off the pyramid. It had been buried under the densest concentration of jungle growth she’d ever seen.

Almost like someone had wanted to hide it.

Her archeologists were busy working at various locations around the dig. Kevin had a trench open at the base of the pyramid. Javier had several grad students spread out over a grid on the eastern side of the site. And Krista was no doubt busy in the pyramid.

January should have known that the mysterious Mayan Kaanul Dynasty—known as the Snake Kings—were keeping secrets.

No one had known about their existence until a few decades ago. Even now, they were still shrouded in mystery.

Tikal was one of the most famous and popular archeological locations in Guatemala. But now Tikal’s rivals, the powerful, ambitious Snake Kings—represented by the symbol of the snake head—were coming into the light. The power the dynasty wielded was now being rediscovered from the jungle that had hidden it for so long. Excitement spurted through her veins. There was so much still to uncover, and that always excited January.

She headed toward the small bush runway, a tiny strip where the jungle had been hacked back. The plane was waiting.

“January!”

She turned, and a dark-haired woman wearing the same outfit as January—khaki cargo pants and a deep-green shirt—fell into step with her.

“Wanted to say goodbye.”

“Take care of my dig, Qian,” January said.

The Chinese archeologist grinned. “We were planning to sit back and sip margaritas while you were gone.”

January mock scowled. “No slacking.”

“Not to worry. We’ll be here, digging up to our eyeballs in the mud, and waiting for you to get back from a few nights on clean planes and in comfy hotel rooms.”

January grabbed her friend’s hand. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I promise.”

“Don’t worry about us. You were due for a week off a month ago.”

Tilting her head, January tried to remember the last time she’d been home to San Francisco. Nope, she couldn’t remember. Her apartment would be covered in a few layers of dust. “I don’t need time off.” She loved her work. She loved the primal vibe of the jungle.

Qian’s dark eyes gleamed. “We won’t fall apart without you.”

“You’re supposed to pretend I’m vitally important.”

“You are. Your energy, enthusiasm, and common sense.” Qian smiled. “But we can make it a few days without basking in your presence. Safe flight.”

Smiling and shaking her head, January headed to the small prop plane waiting on the cleared airstrip. She jogged up the stairs and ducked inside. There were two other passengers sitting at the back—one of her students, who was heading home early because a relative had fallen ill, and one of her archeologists, who was due for a break. Tyler, the student, had headphones on, nodding his head to the music. Dr. Robert Lake, the man in charge of the lidar scanning, was asleep.

“Ready, Carlos,” she called.

From the small cockpit, the pilot nodded.

January settled into a seat and buckled up. She slid her backpack under the chair in front of her, and set the briefcase down beside her.

Then she turned her head to stare out of the window. Just looking at her dig made her chest fill with pride. They were doing fascinating work here.

It was Robert’s lidar scanning that had uncovered the multitude of unknown Mayan ruins hidden beneath the Guatemalan jungle. Her team was working hard to piece together the story of the Snake King Dynasty.

As the engine started and the pilot ran through his preflight checks, her gaze fell on the briefcase. Her team had uncovered the artifacts in the pyramid. At first, they’d thought it was a tomb, and they’d been excited that it was clearly untouched. The thick tangle of vines covering the entire pyramid had clearly kept looters out.

But it hadn’t been a tomb. It had been some sort of temple, in honor of the artifacts. The amazing friezes had warmed every corner of her archeologist heart. And the multitude of jade artifacts had simply been incredible.

But over the course of her career, January had learned that not everything was what it seemed.

Some artifacts were powerful and very, very dangerous.

A grad student had uncovered a perfect crystal sphere not long ago. It had landed the young woman in the hospital.

Subsequently, when January and her team had found two perfectly formed spheres made entirely of jade, she wasn’t taking any chances. Now, she had two more artifacts that needed securing, and she wanted them safe and out of the way so she could get back to her dig.

January loved her job. Her mom had loved history. It had just been the two of them against the world, and Alyson James had loved both her daughter and history. She’d read January history textbooks at bedtime, rather than storybooks.

A pang of bittersweet pain tightened January’s throat. She’d lost her mom too young, and in the worst of circumstances. She knew her mom would’ve loved seeing the work that January did.

Soon, the aircraft was rumbling down the bumpy runway, and they took off, veering out over the jungle. She pressed her head back against her seat and stared out at the sea of green below. Her thoughts turned. Not to the Guatemalan jungle or her dig, but instead to where she was headed.

A place that she hadn’t been able to tell any of her team about, not even Qian. A secret base called Area 52 in Nevada.

She smiled wryly. It amused her to no end that Area 51 got all the limelight and conspiracy theories, while right next door, the covert black ops group known only as Team 52 was actually hiding a secret base.

The team had crashed into one of her digs in Mexico the year before. They’d scared the hell out of her, and she’d fought back. She felt a slight hint of regret at giving one of the badass commandos a black eye.

Slight.

Said commando was arrogant, cocky, and drove her insane. On that dig, her team had stumbled onto an ancient Aztec artifact, and Team 52 had confiscated it. As a result, she’d never actually found out what the device was capable of.

Even now, she still had some trouble believing that civilizations on Earth had once been far more advanced than most historians believed. That many cultures had risen, created magnificent cities and temples, and invented amazing technology, and then been destroyed by flooding at the end of the last ice age. Unfortunately, there had been so many bad rumors and New Age myths over the years, like Atlantis, Mu, and Lemuria, that most academics were violently opposed to even investigating any claims that didn’t agree with the current accepted theories.

But January had seen parts of the truth. Artifacts with abilities and powers she didn’t understand. Whether they predated existing civilizations, or had been passed down and used by cultures like the Aztec and Maya, there was no doubting they cropped up.

And since her run-in with Team 52, she was now their unofficial informant. Any sign of something strange on any of her digs, or her colleagues’ digs, she passed it on.

Once again, she thought about the man that she’d hit in the head with a metal bar, leaving him with a black eye. At the thought of seeing Seth Lynch again, a shiver moved through her.

She made a scoffing sound and closed her eyes. So, the man was the definition of tall, lean, dark, and handsome. Even with the terrible scars on one side of his face, he made an impact. In her opinion, the scars added to his appeal.

Of course, he would need a personality transplant before she’d be interested. The man had a callous disregard for other people’s feelings. Not to mention being secretive beyond description.

Bang.

A huge explosion jolted the plane and January was tossed forward against her safety belt.

The plane shuddered, veering sharply to the left, and smoke filled the cabin.

Oh, God. She gripped the armrests. She heard Carlos shouting from the cockpit, and Tyler screaming from behind her.

January grabbed the briefcase, clutching it to her chest. The thick, oily smoke made it hard to breathe and she coughed. The plane tilted and started plummeting. She pressed a hand to the window and her stomach dropped to her boots.

She saw the trees rushing closer.

Her throat closed, fear rocketing through her. She was helpless. There was nothing she could do.

She’d felt like this once before, and had vowed never to feel that way again. But once again, her fate had been wrenched from her hands.

As the green hurtled to meet them, she braced for impact.

HE FLEW the jet-copter in low over the trees.

The dense Guatemalan jungle was all he could see. Green, green, and more green.

Seth Lynch touched the controls, trying to stay focused on flying. But his gut was tight and his jaw was clenched.

“We should see the wreck site in a minute or two,” a female voice said from beside him.

He glanced at the woman in the other pilot’s seat. Blair Mason didn’t look up from the controls. She was one of the toughest people Seth had ever worked with. A former member of Marine Force Recon, she was loyal, a straight shooter, and wouldn’t hesitate to take you down if you were a threat.

Seth grunted and looked back at the trees. He knew that across this dense jungle, archeologists had uncovered previously unknown Mayan Snake King ruins using lidar scanning.

Then he spotted some white ahead. “There.”

Blair leaned forward. “Fuck.”

The plane had crashed hard and torn up the trees. It looked like the aircraft had disintegrated on impact. Bits of wreckage were strewn everywhere.

Heart thumping hard, Seth spotted a tiny part of the fuselage that looked intact. But it wasn’t much.

“No one could have survived that,” Blair murmured.

His gut spasmed. No, they couldn’t have.

The plane had been coming from a remote archeological dig, with a certain archeologist from UC Berkeley on board, and Seth’s team had been sent in to check on her and recover the artifact.

A potentially dangerous artifact.

Dr. January James had interacted with his team before. They’d had a memorable first meeting when she’d hit him in the head with a metal pipe. It had been several weeks before his teammates had let him live that down. As a former CIA agent, not many people got the drop on Seth.

January James was an outspoken, aggressive, harpy of a woman. The times he’d met her, she’d managed to stretch the limits of his control. As the wreckage got larger, he scanned it, clenching his teeth.

And now she was dead.

There was movement behind his seat and their team leader appeared.

Lachlan Hunter was wearing black body armor like Seth and Blair, his face impassive. His eyes were a deep gold—flat, assessing, and intense enough to give anyone goosebumps. The former Marine, also Force Recon, was very good at his job, and scary as hell.

“We need to rappel down,” Lachlan said. “Trees are too thick to land.”

Seth unclipped his harness. “I’m coming.” He glanced back at Blair. “You got this?”

She eyed him for a second with her bi-colored eyes—one bright blue and one a silver-gray. She’d lost one eye on a mission as a Marine, and now had a high-tech prosthetic. She nodded. “I’ll head for the clearing we identified a few klicks away and wait. Give me the call when you need a pick up.”

Seth followed Lachlan, pushing back in to the main part of the experimental X8 jet-copter. Team 52 was lucky to have an ex-DARPA scientist, Dr. Ty Sampson, who cooked up all kinds of high-tech, trial devices for them. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s loss was Team 52’s gain.

The rest of the team was already pulling their gear out for the rappel down.

Axel Diaz turned his head and raised a dark brow, a surprised expression on his good-looking face. His thick, brown hair curled around the neck of his vest, and fell over his forehead. Axel always looked like he was three weeks past needing a haircut.

“Figured you’d stay with the X8 and miss getting muddy,” Axel drawled at Seth.

Seth snatched up his high-tech CXM7 integrated assault rifle from the storage rack and slung it over his shoulder. “Felt like stretching my legs.”

Nearby, Smith Creed—his head almost brushing the roof of the craft—was pulling out extra weapons and sliding additional grenades onto his belt. The big man was all muscle. Colorado born and bred, he had dirty-blond hair and a beard several shades darker. He always carried more weapons than the rest of them.

The team medic, Callie Kimura, was checking her backpack, her CXM already in place on her back. Her lean body was also covered in her black body armor.

“Ready?” Lachlan asked.

They all nodded. Seth lifted one of the rappel lines, grabbed an anchor, and clicked it onto his belt. Lachlan opened the side door, the sunlight glinting off the metal at his wrist. He’d lost an arm on the mission that had officially ended his military career, but Ty had supplied him with one hell of a sophisticated prosthetic. Their team leader looked over and then jumped out of the aircraft with practiced ease.

Seth followed, his pulse not even increasing.

He’d leaped out of helicopters and planes too many times to count. He’d joined the CIA, wanting to defend his country and make a difference. He snorted at the memory, warm air rushing at his face, and felt the scars on his cheek tighten.

Instead, he’d learned that everyone—young or old, sweet or antagonistic—had secrets. No one was ever who they seemed, and it was best to never trust anyone. Ever.

The heat and humidity hit him like a wall as he slid down to the ground. As soon as his boots hit the dirt, he unclipped and whipped up his rifle.

The rest of the team landed beside him, and were now moving across the wreck site. The X8 flew overhead.

“See you soon.” Blair’s voice echoed in Seth’s microdot earpiece.

These were the only people Seth trusted. The members of Team 52 had proven they had his back, time and time again. That was all he needed.

He followed Lachlan, as the team leader made for the main part of the fuselage.

This wreckage was a case in point for people’s dishonesty. Some assholes had brought the plane down. This was no accident.

“RPG impact.” Smith was crouched, rubbing his gloved fingers over a sheet of mangled white metal.

“You sure?” Lachlan asked.

“Yeah.”

“What a fucking mess,” Axel ground out.

“Poor January.” Callie looked around shaking her head. “I really liked her.”

His team had all liked the archeologist, and found his frustration with her amusing. Seth’s chest was so tight it hurt. However much the hellcat had clawed at him, he’d never wanted her dead. She’d been filled with life, and he hated knowing that was gone.

Seth wandered through wreckage, glass crunching under his boots. There was nothing here but scrap metal and death.

“Any idea what the artifact she was carrying was?” Axel asked.

Lachlan shook his head. “Might have been similar to the crystal sphere she brought in the other week.”

But they didn’t know for sure.

Historians and archeologists didn’t always have things right. The current timeline of human civilization was not entirely correct. At the end of the last ice age, rising flood waters had destroyed many human cities and settlements. Cultures far more advanced than current academics accepted—and their advancements—had been wiped out.

But sometimes, pieces of their advanced technology turned up. And sometimes the cultures that had risen to power and prominence after had also gotten their hands on it.

Just weeks ago, they’d locked up a dangerous artifact in the Area 52 secure storage facility in Nevada. Scientists had pulled it from the ice in northern Canada. That mission had gone bad. Really bad. People had died, but in the end, they’d recovered the artifact, and Lachlan had fallen head over heels for the lovely Dr. Rowan Schafer whose scientists had discovered the artifact.

Seth shook his head. He couldn’t believe scary, focused Lachlan had succumbed, although Seth had grown to like Rowan. Love was a dumb risk, and it was just asking for trouble. But Rowan was pretty nice, and Lachlan was happier than Seth had ever seen him.

“I’ve got a body,” Callie called out grimly. “Male. Wearing a uniform. My guess is that he was the pilot.”

Seth thought of finding January’s body and bile filled his mouth.

January James had first found a crystal sphere that had electrocuted one of her team, and she’d handed it over to Team 52. Then, she’d sent a message saying that she’d found something else and was bringing that in, too.

What the hell had it been? Without even a tiny clue, they were doing nothing more than looking for a needle in a damn haystack.

“Search the rubble,” Lachlan ordered. “January carried the first artifact in a secure case, so if the second one is in a similar case, there’s a good chance it survived the crash.”

“Unless someone else already recovered it,” Axel muttered.

With his gloved hand, Seth shifted pieces of metal aside. His head filled with disconcerting images. He wondered what January’s last terrifying minutes had been like. He hated that she’d probably been terrified.

Lachlan pulled out a fancy scanner and started moving it over the wreck site. It made a series of low beeps. Another of Ty’s creations.

“Wait.” Smith crouched. They all turned toward the man.

Seth knew that Smith was a hell of a tracker. His crotchety, mountain-man father had taken him hunting since he was a boy.

Smith was hunched over by the largest part of the wreckage. Seth could see a seat from the plane, tipped over on its side.

“What’ve you got?” Lachlan asked.

Seth moved closer, and saw what Smith was looking at. He sucked in a breath. “Blood.”

Smith nodded and rose. He moved steadily, staring at the ground. He headed toward the tree line.

“Smith?” Seth said.

The big man looked up, his gaze meeting Seth’s. “There’s a blood trail. Someone survived.”

CHAPTER TWO

Seth’s pulse spiked. There was no evidence that it was January’s blood, but he scanned the trees, trying to tamp down the unfamiliar emotions churning inside him.

He was known as Mr. Cool in the field, and right now, he felt far from cool.

Lachlan gave a curt nod. “Smith and Seth, follow the trail. Find the survivor. The rest of us will keep searching the wreckage for the artifact, or any clues to who did this.”

Seth gripped his CXM. He followed Smith into the dense trees.

Their boots squelched in the mud, and the scent of rotting leaves hit him. They pushed through the heavy vegetation, and it wasn’t long before Seth was sweating under his gear.

He’d been part of the CIA’s Special Activities Division, which was the Agency’s special forces unit. He’d worked in some shitty places, and this certainly wasn’t his first jungle rodeo. He felt a sting on his neck and he slapped at the mosquito.

“How bad is the bleeding?” Seth asked.

“Not too bad,” Smith said. “Wouldn’t have killed them.”

Seth watched his teammate crouch again, touching the muddy leaves under their boots. Smith might have learned to track with his dad, but being a Navy SEAL had helped him hone his skills. The man had tracked terrorists and insurgents all over the planet.

Smith rose. “This way.”

They kept moving, leaping over the decaying trunk of a fallen tree.

“Seth? Smith?” Lachlan’s tense voice in their earpieces.

Seth touched his ear. “We’re here, Lachlan.”

“Brooks just made contact. We have unfriendlies incoming.”

Seth cursed. Brooks was their comms and intel geek back at base. He’d be in his computer room at Area 52, monitoring satellite feed and directing their comms. Seth caught Smith’s gaze. Unfriendlies could mean anything.

“I have ten bogeys converging on the wreck site from the north.”

“Can you see who they are?” Seth asked.

“Negative. Could be drug runners. Could be the other type of bad guys we’re used to.”

Seth frowned. They were close to the border with Mexico, so he knew the jungle here was teeming with drug runners.

The other kind of bad guys were the kind who would do anything to get their hands on ancient technology that they could use to advance their agenda. That usually included hostile regimes, terrorists, crime syndicates, drug lords.

“Keep going,” Lachlan said. “But watch your backs, and then get back here, ASAP.”

The sound of distant gunfire echoed through the jungle. A flock of startled birds rose from a nearby tree.

As one, Smith and Seth swiveled, raising their rifles.

“Still a fair way away,” Smith murmured. “But close to the wreck site.”

Seth nodded. He wasn’t worried. Their team was the best. Even if Lachlan, Callie, and Axel faced ten opponents, the odds were in the trio’s favor. They could take care of themselves.

“Could just be drug runners,” Seth said.

Smith grunted. “Maybe.” Then suddenly the man stiffened.

Seth frowned. “What—?”

Gunfire peppered the vegetation around them. With vicious curses, both men dived for cover.

They landed behind a fallen log. Seth came up to his knees, whipping his rifle up and staring down the sight.

Several soldiers in dark-green fatigues came out of the jungle.

Seth fired. The men ducked for cover.

Bullets slammed into the log in front of Seth, and he dropped down behind it. Smith was nearby, fiddling with his rifle, then in a smooth move, he rose on one knee and fired.

Thump.

Seth knew the sound. He’d fired a grenade. Both Smith and Seth ducked their heads down.

Boom.

Flames lit up the jungle and mud flew through the air.

At the sound of their attackers’ cries, Seth leaped up. A man staggered close, and Seth kicked the rifle out of the man’s hand. He followed through with a punch to the gut and a brutal hook to the jaw.

The man went down with a groan.

Seth raced over to check the others. “Three bodies.”

“Where’s the fourth?” Smith turned in a circle.

Suddenly, a knife flew through the air. Seth reacted, dodging to the side. He felt a slight sting on his cheek. The knife flew past him and embedded in the trunk of the tree.

The dark-haired soldier paused for a second, then swiveled and ran.

No, you fucking don’t. Seth charged after the man.

Tearing through the jungle, Seth heard the man huffing and puffing. As Seth sprinted through the trees, vines and leaves slapped his face.

Then he heard the man cry out. Seth frowned, and a second later, discovered what had startled the man. The ground was suddenly gone beneath Seth’s feet.

Shit. He rolled, tumbling down a steep embankment. He finally landed on his ass and continued the slide down. It was a hell of a bumpy ride.

He could just make out the man ahead of him, tumbling head over ass. Mud flew up around Seth’s body, and something smacked against the back of his head. A rock, maybe. But he kept sliding, and finally he somersaulted out onto flat ground.

He took a second to drag in a breath and assess his body. A few aches, but nothing was broken. He checked his CXM and blew out a breath. The rifle wasn’t damaged.

Static burst to life in his ear. “…Seth…you…re…”

“I’m here.” He thought it was Smith. “Fell down an embankment.”

Static was his only response. Dammit. He rose, and he saw the man he’d been chasing kneeling in front of him.

The man was covered in mud and rose unsteadily. He spun to face Seth and raised his fists.

Seth smiled, slinging his CXM onto his back. “You want to play? Fine.”

The man threw a few sloppy, desperate punches. Seth dodged and dodged again. He kept evading and didn’t attack. He watched the man’s face twist. He was getting angry.

Charging again, the man swung out. Seth blocked the punch.

“Had enough?” Seth asked.

The man growled, but Seth was done fucking around. He slammed one hard punch into the man’s gut, and then followed with a hard chop to the back of the man’s neck. The mercenary crumpled like a waterlogged rag, out cold.

Seth swiveled and looked back up the embankment. Shit. It would be a slippery, pain-in-the-ass climb back up.

Then, he felt a prickle on the back of his neck, and all his instincts flared to life. He stilled.

He turned slowly and scanned the jungle.

He wasn’t alone.

Careful not to tense up, he kept his gaze moving. He didn’t want to let his company know that he knew they were there.

Nothing moved, and he couldn’t see anyone.

He took a step toward the trees, when suddenly, a mud-covered figure burst out of the green and charged at him.

The person moved fast and slammed into his body. Seth tried to grab his attacker, but the slick mud made finding purchase extremely difficult.

Together, they whirled in a circle, and then Seth’s boots hit something. Fuck. He tripped, falling flat on his back on the muddy ground.

His attacker landed on his chest and straddled him.

Seth tried to move, but his attacker grabbed a large stone, raised it, and slammed it downward.

Shit. He dodged his head to the side. The rock hit the mud an inch from his ear. With a cry, his attacker raised the rock again.

He stiffened. A feminine cry.

What the hell?

Surprise made him slow, and this time, the rock glanced off Seth’s temple. He saw stars.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

That’s when his attacker froze. Seth looked up, and through the mud streaking her face, he saw startled hazel eyes.

“James?” he said.

“Lynch?” she breathed.

Holy shit. Energy flooded his veins. January was alive.

Seth surged up, grabbed the rock from her hand and tossed it away. “You’re alive.”

“You’re perceptive as always, Lynch.”

There was the snark he knew, although it was lacking its usual power. Sensations burst in his chest, and one was huge and clear—relief. She might be the biggest pain in the ass he knew, but he’d never wanted her dead.

“You’re alive,” he said again.

She made a choked noise that sounded suspiciously like a sob. Then, she shocked him by throwing her arms around him and holding on tight.

Seth wrapped his arms around her. “I’ve got you.”

Her chest hitched. “You tell anyone I hugged you and I’ll call you a liar.”

A laugh burst from him. “I won’t tell anyone that you had a moment of weakness, James. Besides, you beaned me with a rock.”

She sniffed. “I’d apologize, but I know how hard your head is.”

Seth tightened his arms and fought back another laugh.

January laughed, too, but it was a watery sound. She pulled back. “My plane crashed.”

He sighed. “Brought down. RPG.”

“What?” Her eyes went wide. “I had a student and archeologist on board. And the pilot, Carlos—”

He smoothed out his features. “No sign that anyone else survived, James. It was a miracle you made it.”

She sucked in a breath, a spasm of pain crossing her face. “They’re dead?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry.”

“Who?” Her eyes sparked with sudden fury. “Who did this?”

“We’ll find out.”

She swallowed, pressing a hand to her temple. “They were after what I was carrying, weren’t they?”

“I think that’s an accurate guess. You still got the artifact?”

She nodded. “Artifacts. There are two. I stashed them close by. There are a hell of a lot of people wandering the jungle, and the guns warned me they probably weren’t friendly.”

“Yeah, the rest of my team at the wreck site came under attack.”

January bit her bottom lip. “We need to get out of here.”

“We do. But first, let’s get the artifacts.”

She nodded and pushed off him.

Seth rose and scanned her. No injuries that he could see under all of the mud. She was compact and curvy. He was always surprised by how small she was. Her feisty personality made her seem taller.

“You were bleeding,” he said.

“Cut on my leg.” She held a leg out and he saw the tear in her pants. “I think the mud sealed it up. I might die of infection, but I’m not going to succumb to blood loss.”

She was covered in muck from head to toe. “You look good in brown, James.”

“Screw you, Lynch.” But there wasn’t much heat in her voice. “Once we’re out of here, I’m finding a shower. A hot one.”

The disturbing image of January James naked under falling water hit Seth. Shit, no. His cock twitched. She was attractive, with her fit, curvy body, and long, thick, brown hair. But that tongue of hers could flay a man alive, and not in a good way.

“Lead the way,” he said.

She moved through the jungle easily. She was clearly used to digs in tough terrain. Damn, the woman had survived a plane crash and was still charging ahead. A will of steel. He had to admire that.

“There have been armed men everywhere,” she said. “I’ve been hiding since the crash.”

“Yeah. Could be drug runners.”

She looked up at him. “You don’t believe that.”

“Nope.”

She stopped a few times to orient herself, and Seth realized she’d marked her path with nicks on some trees. She finally stopped near a large tree, and when she crouched down, he spotted a hole in the base of the trunk. He guessed it had been home to various jungle animals in the past.

January crawled inside, and he had a perfect view of her ass. Her rounded, toned ass.

Seth sucked in a breath and looked up at the canopy. Get a grip, Lynch. She just survived a crash and a night alone in the jungle.

“Got it,” she called back.

Suddenly, noises in the trees caught his ear. Seth spun, hands clenching on his CXM. Voices. Coming closer.

Shit. He crouched. “Can we both squeeze in there?”

She blinked up at him. “It’ll be tight.”

He shoved his CXM through. “I like it tight.”

She rolled her eyes and moved back. Seth moved through the gap. His shoulders almost got stuck in the narrow opening, but he pushed through and squeezed in with her.

She hadn’t been wrong. It was a really tight fit.

“Move your knee,” she muttered.

“Move your elbow.”

They squirmed around, trying to find a comfortable position. He heard her curse, then he grabbed her hips and yanked her into his lap. Seth found his arms filled with wriggling, mud-covered female.

Hell. “Stop moving. And be quiet.”

She froze. The voices were right outside their hiding place, muttering in rapid Spanish.

“Seth—” she whispered.

He covered her mouth and pulled her closer. A worn, dark boot appeared near the opening in the tree. These guys were practically on top of them.

Seth grabbed his rifle and shifted it around January. He lifted it, all his muscles tense, and waited.

CHAPTER THREE

With her heart in her throat, January listened to the voices outside and held her breath.

She shifted, and became very aware of the hard, muscled body beneath her.

The man definitely knew how to work her last nerve, but there was no doubting that Seth had a killer body. She moved again, and hard fingers clamped on her hip. Lips pressed to her ear.

“Hold your curvy ass still.”

She froze and stayed there, listening to the voices speaking in Spanish outside. They slowly drifted away and her shoulders relaxed. The fingers at her hip squeezed and let go.

“The artifacts are safe?” he asked.

Happy to focus on anything other than very hard thighs, she dragged her backpack closer and opened it. She’d ditched the heavy metal case after the crash.

When she looked up, she saw Seth’s face was close to hers. He had pale-blue eyes that made her think of chips of ice. She reached in and pulled out the first sphere.

His gaze dropped.

She pulled the dark covering off the top of the artifact, displaying the jade ball nestled in her palm. She reached in and pulled out the second one.

“What do they do?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t risked touching them with my bare hand. But they are similar in size to the crystal one I brought you. I didn’t want to take any risks and put my team in danger. We found them in an overgrown temple covered in vines. And when I say overgrown, I mean overgrown.”

He touched one sphere with his gloved hand, taking it in his long fingers and turning it over. “You think someone was hiding the temple?”

“Probably.”

Next, he touched the sphere’s wrapping from the backpack. It was a rough fabric and very heavy.

“You found them in this?” he asked.

She nodded. “Some sort of protective wraps. They’re really heavy, and I think they could be metallic.”

He nodded, and she carefully wrapped and packed the sphere away with the other one.

“Climb out, James.”

She pulled the backpack on, hitting him in the chin in the process. Oops. He glared at her and she smiled sweetly. Then she turned and clambered through the small opening.

“You better not be looking at my ass.”

“It’s right at eye level, James. Can hardly miss it.”

Outside, January rose and halfheartedly dusted off her trousers. Seth climbed out a lot more nimbly than she had.

Suddenly, he touched his ear. “Lachlan, that you?” He paused. “Damn, the line is terrible. Smith okay?” Another pause. “Good. Yeah, I fell down an embankment, but I found James.” His gaze flicked her way. “Yes, she’s alive and she has the artifacts. Two jade spheres.”

January leaned closer and could just make out Lachlan Hunter’s voice.

“Can he get a message to my aunt and uncle? And to my team? I left Dr. Li in charge. Let them know I’m okay?”

Seth nodded and relayed the information, “Jungle’s teeming with unfriendlies. We’re on our way back to you.” He looked at her. “Let’s move. Stay close.”

For the first time in her life, January was happy to stay close to Seth Lynch. As they set off through the trees, she eyed him. Black suited him. She couldn’t imagine a man as intense as Seth wearing color. He had a handsome face, and she thought he’d been saved from being too pretty by those scars on the one side.

He set a fast pace, but she didn’t complain. She was going home. Relief shot through her. She was incredibly sad about Robert, Tyler, and Carlos, but right now, she was too tired to process it. All she wanted was a hot shower, some food, a full night of sleep.

Her stomach rumbled loudly, and Seth glanced her way. A second later, he reached into the pockets on his vest and pulled out a granola bar. She almost moaned. She tore off the wrapper and bit into it.

When she looked up, Seth was staring at her with a strange look on his face. “What?”

He shook his head, like he was trying to clear it. “Glad you aren’t dead, James.”

“Me too,” she whispered.

He reached out, his fingers brushing her ear, then he pulled away. That small connection, after the twenty-four hours she’d had, filled her chest with something warm.

Suddenly, he stiffened. He spun and slammed into her, driving her to the ground. They landed in rotting leaves, and all the air was knocked out of her.

“What the hell?” she wheezed.

Gunfire peppered the trees behind them. January swallowed a scream and Seth’s big body covered hers.

The gunfire paused.

Seth yanked his big, dangerous-looking assault rifle off his shoulder and returned fire.

“Come on.” He pushed off her, yanked her up, and gave her a hard shove. “Run.”

January obeyed. She took off at a sprint. Vines slapped at her face and arms.

“Lachlan, we’re under attack. Lachlan?” Seth cursed softly. “No response. Brooks, you there?”

January had met the buff, tattooed and good-looking Brooks. She knew the tech guru would be back in Nevada.

“Thank God,” Seth muttered. “I can’t reach Lachlan.” He stiffened. “What do you mean, there are more bogies on the way? Dammit to hell.”

Okay, this was sounding really bad. Any warmth she’d been feeling fled. She swallowed, old feelings of helplessness trying to break free inside her.

You aren’t alone, January. Big, tough badass with a gun right here with you.

Seth scanned around, his face set in serious lines. “Up there.” He pointed to a large tree.

She nodded and gripped the lower branches. She started to pull herself up when she felt big hands on her ass. He gave her a push.

Seth followed right behind her.

“What’s happening?” she asked.

“Large group of people headed this way.”

She sucked in a breath. “What now?”

“Climb. Hide. Wait for them to pass.”

Suddenly, they heard voices. January climbed a couple feet higher, then she and Seth settled onto a large branch. He pulled her close, and pressed a finger to his lips. January’s breathing was shallow, her muscles tensed. She could really do with a break right now.

Below, two men stepped into view. They were wearing fatigues and holding AK-47s. They moved cautiously, looking around intently.

Then January felt movement on their branch. She turned her head and stifled a gasp. A monkey had appeared on the branch, staring at them curiously. Ah, hell.

“Shit.” Seth’s curse was almost soundless.

The animal let out a screech.

Shit. The men looked up, and January’s chest locked.

Seth launched himself off the branch. She gasped and watched as he slammed into one man. As soon as they hit the ground, Seth leaped up and charged at the second man.

Dammit, dammit, dammit. Gunfire hit the trunk near January and she screamed. She scrambled down. She needed to get out of the tree and help Seth.

The sound of thuds and grunts filled the air. Near the bottom, she lost her grip and went flying out of the tree. She landed on her side, hitting the ground hard, pain jarring through her, but she bounced back onto her feet. She had to get to Seth.

January spun and saw Seth fighting the two men. She paused. He didn’t look like he needed any help.

His blows were hard, fast, and brutal. He moved like water, flowing with wicked power and grace.

In another few seconds, both attackers were laid out on the ground, unconscious.

Wow.

Seth’s brows drew together. “Why didn’t you stay in the tree?”

“Bullets were flying, and I thought you might need help.”

He blinked. “You were going to help me?”

“Yes.”

“How? By throwing rocks at them? Flinging some mud?”

Asshole. She glared at him. “I might not be a badass commando or former 007 who can kill with his little finger, but I’m hardly a fainting damsel, Lynch. I gave you a black eye, didn’t I?”

Seth scowled at her and touched his ear. “Brooks? Yeah.” Seth looked at his boots and cursed. “Acknowledged.”

“What now?” she asked.

Ice-blue eyes slid up to meet hers. “There are too many of these fuckers.” He toed the soldiers. “We’re cut off from my team.”

January swallowed. “Okay. So what do we do now?”

“Now we need a Plan B.”

“Have you got one?”

“Not yet.”

AS SETH JOGGED through the jungle, he heard the distant gunfire, followed by an explosion. He gritted his teeth, worried briefly about his team. But if anyone could handle themselves, it was Team 52.

January ducked under some vines. She was holding up. Even caked in mud and clearly exhausted, she was staying steady.

His admiration for her went up another notch.

“We need to get away from here,” he said. “Find somewhere to lay low until it’s safe to get picked up by the team later.” They couldn’t trek to Blair and the X8, because that was on the other side of the wreck site.

January bit her lip, lost in thought. “Do you know where we are?”

He lifted his chin and told her.

She snapped her fingers. “I know. We have a satellite dig site not too far away from here. I mean, we’ll have to trek through dense jungle…”

He nodded. “Let’s do it.”

“It’s east of here.”

Seth touched his ear. “Brooks. January and I are headed for a satellite dig site called…” He looked at January.

“Site Z. It’s run by a colleague of mine, Dr. Andelman.”

Seth repeated the information.

“Got it, Seth,” came Brooks’ reply. “I’ll have—”

The harsh screech of static filled the line. Seth winced. “Brooks? Brooks?” Shit. “Lachlan?”

There was only silence.

“What?” January looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Our comms are being jammed.”

She pressed her lips together and looked worried. Seth was worried too.

Drug runners wouldn’t have the tech to jam their comms. The last pair who’d attacked them had fought well—they were better trained than the average drug runner.

Seth’s instincts were twitching. Hard. Those instincts had saved his life too many times in the CIA. More times than he could count.

She grabbed the straps of her backpack and set off. “Come on.”

“Hey, let me lead.”

She glanced at him. “Why?”

“Because I have the gun.”

“Doesn’t seem like a good enough reason for you to lead.”

Seth pulled in a breath and looked up at the dappled light filtering through the trees. “Do you have to argue about everything?”

She considered for a second. “Yes.”

“Shit,” he muttered. “Why me?”

“If you move your ass, Lynch, and quit bitching, we’ll get out of here faster.”

Seth took a moment to contemplate strangling her. Or tanning her ass.

They kept moving and he kept trying the comms. Nothing.

He turned to face January. “Okay, let’s—”

The next attack was blindingly fast.

Several bodies rushed out of the vegetation and slammed into Seth, driving him to the ground. He heard January scream.

Fuck. He rolled and got a punch to the sternum. He got his feet under him, shoving back at the weight holding him. A blow slammed into his kidneys and he bit off a groan.

But he’d been well-trained by the CIA. He knew how to fight dirty.

He rammed an elbow up, took another hit to the stomach, then broke free and rolled across the vegetation. He yanked his knife off his belt, spun, and jammed the blade into the belly of the incoming attacker. The man screamed and staggered back.

Seth scanned the area and saw January being held against a tree. The bastard pinning her had his hands clamped around her neck. Her face was turning red, but the hellcat was fighting—twisting and kicking wildly.

Seth lowered into a fighting stance, his gaze going to the other attacker circling him. These guys were good. Too good. They might be dressed like drug runners, but they were not drug runners.

Feinting, Seth moved left. His opponent fell for it and moved. Seth adjusted course, slamming a kick into the man’s knee. He went down, and Seth sank his blade into the man’s shoulder—deep.

Another kick sent the man onto his back. He clutched his bleeding shoulder and glared at Seth. Seth brought his boot down and the man slumped.

Moving fast, Seth spun and ran to January. He could see her kicks were turning sluggish and uncoordinated. The man choking her was tugging at the straps of her backpack.

Seth came up behind the man, moving silently. He circled his gloved hands around the man’s throat.

Startled, the attacker released January, and Seth quickly cut off the man’s air supply. January dropped to the ground, coughing and rubbing her abused throat.

“How’s it feel?” Seth asked. “Suffering the same thing you were just inflicting on a woman half your size?”

The man made a gurgling sound and Seth eased up. “Who do you work for?”

No answer.

Seth asked in Spanish. “Who sent you?”

Still nothing.

Cool flowed through Seth’s veins. He kicked the man’s legs out from under him and he dropped to his knees with a choked cry. Seth wrapped an arm around the man’s neck and pulled up hard, denying him air again.

The man thumped a fist futilely against Seth’s left forearm.

“Answer my question,” Seth said, his tone low.

January rose, watching Seth with an unreadable face. Okay, not that unreadable. She was watching him like she’d just discovered a snake that might strike.

“Last chance.” Seth jerked hard on the man’s neck.

This time, the attacker made a sound and patted Seth’s arm.

Seth eased up a little

“Gaia,” the man croaked.

Seth frowned. He’d never heard of a criminal group called Gaia.

All of a sudden, a roar thundered overhead. Shit, helicopter.

He looked up, and through the canopy, he caught glimpses of the aircraft circling overhead. For a second, he thought it was the X8.

No. His muscles locked. Not the X8, a Black Hawk.

Shit. Not one of theirs. He released the man and punched him. Then Seth reached out and grabbed January’s hand.

“We need to go.”

“I take it that helicopter isn’t your team?”

“Correct.”

He yanked her forward, knocking some vines out of their way.

Suddenly, machine gun fire tore through the trees from above. January screamed.

Seth dived, taking her with him. They rolled, and he covered her as they came up against the trunk of a tree.

Dammit, the helo was armed with a minigun. They could pepper the jungle with thousands of rounds per minute. His CXM was no match for it.

The gunfire stopped.

“Oh, my God. Oh, my God.” January clutched his vest.

He pulled her up.

“Move that pretty ass, James. Now.”

CHAPTER FOUR

January ran through the jungle, her lungs burning. Seth’s broad back was right in front of her, and the man barely seemed winded.

A branch hit her shoulder, scratching her skin, but she didn’t slow down. She hadn’t uttered any complaints about the brutal pace that Seth had set for them.

She had no desire to become machine-gun fodder.

But every muscle in her body ached. She was drenched in sweat, and hungry, and her neck stung. She was pretty damn miserable.

But she was breathing.

Ahead, Seth glanced back at her. The man powered through the vegetation, not slowing or flagging one bit. She hated him more than usual right now.

“We’ll take a break.” He halted.

January staggered to a stop. She could have wept from relief. “I can keep going.”

“We both need a rest.”

“But I can—”

He scowled. “Do you argue about everything?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “When it comes to me living or dying, then yes.”

“Figures.”

If he wanted to rest, fine. She moved to a fallen log and dropped onto it. She sucked air into her burning lungs.

“We far enough away from the unfriendlies?” she asked.

“Yeah. I don’t hear the helo anymore.”

He sat beside her and opened his backpack. He handed her another granola bar, and she tore it open. She wolfed the snack down in three bites. He smiled at her, seemingly amused, and handed her a water bottle.

Darn, the man had a hell of a smile.

January sipped the water. “You got a three-course meal in there, as well?”

“Sorry.” He handed her a candy bar.

She moaned. She tore it open in a blink, and took a bite. She closed her eyes, savoring the rich, chocolatey flavor. When she opened her eyes, Seth was watching her, with a funny expression.

God, he might annoy her, but she was damn glad he’d come for her.

Suddenly, the impact of everything hit her, all at once. She started to shake. She’d almost died—multiple times. She’d survived the plane crash, the jungle, bad guys after them, the helicopter firing at them.

A firm hand gripped the back of her neck. “Deep breath, James.”

She pulled in a ragged one. Tears pricked her eyes.

Dammit. She never cried. She’d done a lifetime of crying in her teens, and vowed to avoid it as a grown woman.

Seth moved closer and slid an arm across her shoulders.

“We’re okay. You’re holding up like a trooper.”

She gave a hiccupping laugh. “God, do not be nice to me, Lynch.” Or she’d fall apart.

He smiled again. It pulled at his scars, which did nothing to detract from the sexiness. January had never liked perfection, anyway.

“I mean it,” she said. “I’m two breaths away from a massive meltdown. Don’t be nice, or you’ll regret it.”

“Fine. Even though you’ve survived some really bad circumstances, and have a fucking core of steel in your spine, you’re still a harpy.”

The tension inside her eased a little. “And you’re a prick.”

His face turned smug. “Well, I do have a big one.”

She groaned. “An arrogant prick, too.” She gave him a small smile. “Thanks.”

He lifted his chin.

Then she froze. Not all the muck on his skin was mud. Some of it was red.

“You’re bleeding.” She scrambled to face him. “I can see blood on the side of your neck.”

“Got nicked by a knife earlier.”

“Oh, my God. Why didn’t you say anything? We need to stop the bleeding.”

“James—”

She grabbed his backpack. “Infection is a real risk here in the jungle.” She tugged the pack toward her.

He pulled it back toward him. “James—”

She shook her head. “Take your shirt, or armor, or vest, or whatever you call it, off.”

She gave another hard tug, knowing she sounded slightly hysterical, but she didn’t want Seth to die and leave her alone.

She caught his eye. “Please.”

He stared at her, eyes glittering, then he nodded.

She rummaged through his pack. “You have a first aid kit in here, right?”

“Right.” He sounded resigned.

She found the small, red kit and yanked it out. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him set his armored vest down beside the log. When she had some antiseptic wipes in hand, she lifted her head. He was pulling his black T-shirt over his head.

She froze. Sweet Jesus.

He had a perfectly sculpted chest. Not bulky, more like a swimmer’s body. He was beautiful.

There were more scars on his right side, mostly covered by the black ink of a tattoo. They’d been done with a knife, she realized. Again, they enhanced his attractiveness, they didn’t detract.

They all had scars, which showed they’d lived, survived, conquered. She had her own. They just weren’t as visible.

The tattoo was some sort of bird of prey. It perched on his shoulder and bicep, its outstretched wings covering his hard pec and probably part of his back. It suited him.

January cleared her throat and shifted closer. The cut was where his neck met his shoulder.

She swiped at it, cleaning off the mud and blood. She tossed a dirty wipe down into his backpack and grabbed another one. Then she fished around in the kit until she found a bandage.

“You’re lucky it wasn’t deep,” she said.

She pressed the bandage against his skin. He was so warm under her fingers. Like he burned hotter than a mere mortal.

She smoothed her hand over the taut flesh of his shoulder. Then she did it again. He felt so good. She sucked in a breath. She was just starved for human contact, that was all. This was Seth Lynch, of all people.

He made a raw sound and her head jerked around. Their faces were only an inch apart. The air rushed out of her.

His blue eyes were blazing with something…heat. Desire.

God. God.

January’s brain turned off. She turned her head the last inch, and her lips brushed his.

He groaned.

“You tell anyone I kissed you, I’ll say you’re lying,” she said.

“Shut up, James.” He leaned forward.

“You’d better be a good kisser, Lynch—”

His lips cut her off, his tongue sliding into her mouth. Oh, yeah.

She kissed him back, craving him, the kiss hard and desperate. His mouth. God, his mouth.

He groaned against her lips and his tongue stroked hers. He was beyond a good kisser, and heat shot straight through January. His arms locked around her, the kiss turning almost punishing.

All-consuming.

It was the distant boom of an explosion that made them both jolt and pull apart. January sucked some air into her burning lungs.

“Grenade,” he said. “It’s a long way off, but we should keep moving.”

She nodded. “Ah…yes.”

She cleared her throat as he rose. Then she gripped his hand, sorry to lose the crazy, intimate moment.

“Seth, I didn’t say it earlier, but thanks for the rescue. Thanks for coming for me.”

He stared at her for a moment. “You’re welcome, James.”

THEY’D MADE GOOD DISTANCE, but Seth could see that January was clearly exhausted. Yet she hadn’t voiced a single complaint.

“Tell me about this dig site?” he asked, partly to take her mind off their punishing pace.

“Another Snake King site. It’s a crumbling pyramid. Josh—Dr. Andelman—has a small team, and they’re working out if we’re going to need a larger team to excavate the ruins. The rest of my team are at another, larger, site to the south. Where I flew out from.”

“And you found all these sites from scans?”

She nodded, her face lighting up. “Lidar scans. Advanced laser scanning. We uncovered previously unknown Mayan structures. Thousands of them. Buildings, defensive structures, farms, irrigation systems, pyramids. All hidden by dense jungle.”

“Incredible.”

January paused, her voice lowering. “The archeologist in charge of the scanning was on the plane.”

Shit. “Sorry to hear that.”

She nodded, then lifted her chin. “We know so little about the Snake King Dynasty. It’s only been during the last few decades that archeologists started piecing together information about them. Forty years ago, they were just a rumor. Twenty years ago, they were believed to be unimportant local kings. Now we are discovering that for a time, they ruled the most powerful Mayan kingdom ever. It started when their emblem, the grinning snake, was first noted at various sites. Then, a few years back, a magnificent, well-preserved frieze in a pyramid at the site of Holmul was discovered. It showed amazing images of the Holmul king, and there were lots of glyphs, including the Snake King glyph.”

“Why are they so special?”

“They came out of nowhere. Their center of power was at a site called Calakmul in Mexico. But there was no record of them in earlier times. The first snake glyph appeared at another site called Dzibanché. Here in Guatemala, lots of work has been done at Tikal, and we know that the Tikal kings dominated the Maya lowlands. Tikal is covered in exquisitely carved stelae documenting their history…except for a strange gap from about 560 AD to 690 AD. There were no stelae created during that period. Turns out, that was when the Snake Kings invaded and took over Tikal, intent on building their own empire. That ambition appears to have started with the Snake King called Stone Hand Jaguar.”

“Cool name.” Seth held some vines aside for her to pass through.

“The Snake Kings were obscured for so long, and we’re only just now realizing how powerful they were. They had advanced cities and agriculture. For several generations, they flourished. It was Stone Hand Jaguar who saw that Tikal was vulnerable. He spent years gaining allies at various sites surrounding Tikal. Unfortunately, he died before he could make the final move, so it fell to his successor, Sky Witness—who was likely his son—to make the final move.”

“They knew how to name their kings.”

She smiled. “Sky Witness was said to be big and powerful, and a great warrior.” Her nose wrinkled. “Sometimes these kings get exaggerated in stories, but a team discovered his tomb at Dzibanché. He was tall and strong, and had lots of scars from old battle injuries.”

“I know all about that.”

She paused. “I guess you do.”

“So, the Snake Kings wanted war.”

“Not exactly. The Mayan empire was made up of lots of city states, each with their own king. The Snake Kings envisioned an empire with themselves as King of Kings. It was unique for the time. The Mayans were happy with the way they had things.”

“But the Snake Kings were good fighters?”

“Yes, but that’s only one piece of the puzzle. They were statesmen, as well. We know that they also used diplomacy, and made alliances with neighboring city states. They wanted allies. And they increased agriculture to feed their people. They came out of nowhere and flourished.”

Seth’s gaze moved to the backpack and what it carried. “You think they flourished because they had tech that helped them do that?”

She shrugged a shoulder. “Possibly. Although good times do encourage scholarship and research. Maybe they invented the tech. Two more ambitious kings ruled after Sky Witness: Scroll Serpent, and then, arguably their most successful king, Shaker of Cities. He consolidated the Snake King rule of the cities of the lowlands, and did it for more than fifty years.”

“So why’d they disappear?”

“Too much of a good thing. After Shaker of Cities came his son, Claw of Fire. He didn’t quite live up to his badass name. By then, the kings and ruling elite lived too well. They became overweight and had diabetes. After Claw of Fire, their dominance deteriorated, and they lost Tikal.”

It certainly sounded like there could be more to the power of the Snake Kings. “You think the jade spheres are dangerous?”

She shrugged a shoulder. “I just don’t know.”

“Ty will work it out.” Ty could solve any problem. But first, Seth and January needed to get out of the jungle alive.

They trekked along in companionable silence for a while, when he saw January start to get slower and slower.

“We need to rest,” he said.

“No.” She shook her head. “I can keep going.”

Until she crashed. “Take a break, James.”

“No.” Her chin got that stubborn tilt he was starting to recognize.

“So damn stubborn.”

“And you’re an asshole.”

“I’m trying to take care of you.”

“I take care of me. Always have. I know my limits.” She pushed her hair back. “Besides, if I rest now, I might not get back up.”

He took a deep breath. “You’ve survived a plane crash, days in the jungle, attacks by several bad guys before?”

She lifted that chin another inch. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to deck the stubborn line of it, or kiss it.

Shit. He and January were like oil and water. Or maybe explosive chemicals and fire.

“Give yourself a break,” he said.

“Fine.” She pulled out her water bottle, wrenched off the lid, and took a bad-tempered sip. “There. Can we go now?” She set the bottle back in her pack.

“Sure.”

“Good.” She stomped off through the trees. “I want a shower. Even a cold camp one. I have mud…in places I don’t want to think about.”

Seth fought a smile. Damned if he didn’t admire her. “Thought you liked mud.”

She glared at him.

Suddenly, a howler monkey leaped out of the vines with a screech. January cried out and fell backward. Seth lunged and caught her under the arms before she hit the ground.

She closed her eyes, dragging in a deep breath.

“You’ve got this, January,” he murmured.

“Oh, my God. A pep talk from Seth Lynch. Hell has frozen over.” She pulled away from him.

He found himself sorry to let the curvy feel of her go.

“I’m not going to wilt,” she bit out, before striding onward.

He shook his head. Even covered in mud, she was pretty damn cute.

CHAPTER FIVE

Every muscle in January’s body was aching and her legs felt like jelly.

When they paused for a moment, she stared through a gap in the trees, and spotted a familiar hill ahead. Relief flooded her.

“See that?” She pointed.

“The hill?”

“That’s the top of the pyramid.”

Seth frowned. “It doesn’t look like a pyramid.”

“It’s crumbling and overgrown, but it’s a pyramid.”

They continued on, and finally pushed out of the trees. The sun was setting, coating the jungle in shades of gold. As night approached, the sounds of insects were increasing in volume.

“Who the hell are you?”

The sharp, male voice made her spin. Dr. Josh Andelman approached, with two of his team behind him. Josh was tall, with wide shoulders, and trimmed, blond hair. He was dressed in flawless khaki, with a dark-leather belt. Even on a dig, Josh styled himself, pressed his clothes, and accessorized.

“Josh.”

“January?” The man’s eyes widened in shock.

A young female graduate student, and an older, male archeologist flanked Josh, staring at her and Seth.

“What the hell happened to you?” Dr. Andelman demanded, turning to eye Seth. “And who are you?”

January felt Seth step closer to her. He had a closed look on his face as he took in the archeologists. She knew he was cataloging everything about them. She noted that Seth was several inches taller than Josh, and even splattered with mud, looked way more impressive.

“He’s with me. Seth, this is Dr. Josh Andelman.”

Andelman nodded, a disgruntled look on his face. Seth just lifted his chin. They gave January the faint impression of two dogs squaring off over a bone.

“Thought you flew out to Guatemala City,” Josh said.

“I did.” She dragged in a deep breath. “The plane crashed.”

There were gasps all around.

Josh took a step forward and grabbed both her arms. “Are you okay?”

Seth moved closer, his chest pressing to her back. When she looked up, she saw an unhappy scowl on his face. She turned back and caught the pinched look on the grad student’s face. January barely stopped her eye roll. Looked like someone had a crush on her dig leader.

January moved her gaze to Josh’s square jaw. Or, it was Josh up to his old tricks.

“I’m fine.” She stepped back, which pressed her harder into Seth’s body. “We need to use your satellite phone.”

Josh nodded. “The artifacts?”

“Fine.” She tugged on the strap of her backpack.

“Good. Good. Let me introduce you to everyone. You know Eric.”

Eric Martinez nodded. He was a few inches shorter than January, with a stocky body, and dark hair threaded with gray.

“And this is Victoria Jenner.”

The young woman nodded, fiddling with the end of her blonde braid. “Most people call me Vickie.”

“And Rachelle is out on the other side of the pyramid,” Josh added. “You’ll see her later.”

January had worked with Dr. Rachelle Spencer on numerous occasions. The archeologist was several years older than January, and never bothered to hide her disdain for Josh and his grandstanding. January just bet the pair were getting along like chalk and cheese.

“We have a spare tent.” Vickie glanced at Seth, her gaze settling on his scars with a look of mingled horror and curiosity. “Uh, but we only have one.”

January was too tired to let the thought of sharing a sleeping space with Seth Lynch worry her. “Lead the way.”

Soon, they were standing at the cluster of tents and camp chairs near the base of the pyramid.

Seth reached out, helping January slide her backpack off. “You going to take that shower now?”

She swallowed a moan. “Oh yeah.”

“I’m going to use Dr. Wonder Boy’s sat phone to call my team.”

She choked on the nickname he’d given Josh. “Dr. Wonder Boy?”

“He clearly thinks he’s above the rest of us mere mortals.”

“Definitely.”

They went their separate ways, the shadows deepening beneath the trees. January grabbed a set of clean clothes from her backpack. She wanted a long, hot shower, but a short, lukewarm one was also pretty good after a plane crash and a day in the jungle.

Dressed and feeling much more human, she joined the archeologists around the campfire. She gave the short-haired Rachelle a hug. She accepted a plate of food, aware that there was no sign of Seth. The others talked about how their work had gone for the day, laughing quietly.

Then Seth prowled out of the darkness, and Rachelle gasped from beside January, before speaking in a loud, high-pitched whisper.

“Sweet Mother Mary.”

Seth grabbed a plate and dropped down beside January, either ignoring the comment, or unaware of it. January assumed it was the former.

“Rachelle, this is Seth.”

“Hey,” Seth said.

Rachelle stared at him. “I bet Andelman just loved seeing you.”

Seth’s brows drew together, and January forked more food into her mouth, fighting back a laugh.

Across the fire, she watched Vickie edging her chair closer and closer to Josh. January fought the urge to roll her eyes again.

Seth glanced at January. “So, mud-free, huh?”

“No mud jokes, Lynch.”

“My people will pick us up in the morning.”

“And who are your people?” Josh demanded, not bothering to hide his eavesdropping.

Seth lifted his bottle of water, took a sip, and stayed silent.

“Seth works in…security.” January decided they needed a distraction. “How’s the dig going?”

“Great.” Josh straightened, baring his dentist-whitened teeth. He launched into a blow-by-blow discourse of his work and finds. He made it sound like he was the only person working at the site.

January immediately tuned him out. Josh had always loved the sound of his own voice. And he was less about the work, and more about talking about himself. He also loved hogging all the credit for everything his team did.

The minutes passed, and January suddenly yawned.

Seth took her plate. “January’s had a rough day. She needs some sleep.”

“Or Josh’s voice has put her to sleep,” Rachelle muttered quietly.

January choked on a laugh.

“Right.” Josh was frowning. “Of course.”

Seth helped January up. “I’m going to take a walk around camp. I’ll meet you at the tent.”

January knew that meant he was checking things out. She nodded at him, and watched him disappear into the shadows.

“Girl, that is one fine specimen of man,” Rachelle said.

“He drives me insane.”

“Even better.”

With murmured goodnights, January headed for the tent.

“January?” Josh appeared.

She turned.

“You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“And this guy—”

“He’s none of your concern.”

Josh gripped her arm. Annoyance flared and she knocked his hand away.

“There was a time you enjoyed me touching you,” he said.

Not really. She’d made a bad decision years ago, before she knew Josh well, and let him talk her into bed. He was as self-absorbed in bed as he was out of it.

“That was a long time ago. I’m exhausted, Josh. Thanks for dinner.” January slipped into the tent. It was lit with a small, portable, battery-powered lantern.

She had stripped off her boots when the tent flap opened and Seth appeared.

“You and Dr. Wonder Boy, really?”

He’d obviously been skulking in the shadows. “Oh, you’ve never made a bad decision?”

He sat down on one of the sleeping bags. “I’ve made loads of them. I’ve gotten pretty good at never believing what a person says.”

She lay down on the sleeping bag, folding her arms beneath her head. “God, that’s cynical.”

“But realistic.”

It was far too hot and humid to need to get into the sleeping bags. Seth shifted next to her, and she scented clean, damp skin. He’d clearly found time for a quick shower, too.

An uncomfortable flutter flitted in her belly. Oh, no. She needed an attraction to Seth Lynch like she needed a hole drilled into her head. Her life was already crazy, and the man knew just what to do to drive her even crazier.

“So you don’t trust anyone?” she asked.

“Only my team. Majority of people will stab you in the back if they get the chance.”

His words were so clinical and she wondered who’d done a number on him. It made her sad.

“The artifacts okay?” he asked, quietly, shucking his boots, gloves, weapons, and vest.

She nodded at her backpack, safely stored in the tent. He reached over and unzipped it. He tugged out one of the spheres, pushing the wrapping off it. She watched him lift the sphere, careful not to touch the smooth, jade surface.

The man had nice, long fingers. The belly flutter returned and she bit her lip.

Then he tucked the ball back into the backpack. He lay down beside her, and flicked off the lantern. For a long moment, they were both silent, each staring up at the tent roof.

“Hell of a day,” she finally muttered.

“You did good out there, James.” His voice was deep and quiet. “After everything you went through, a lot of people would have fallen apart.”

His quiet praise warmed her insides. “You being nice to me again?”

He laughed. It was a sexy sound. “You’re a pain in the ass.”

Outside, the sound of others heading toward their tents echoed in the night, and then silence fell over the camp. She was still excruciatingly aware of Seth, so close by.

“We first met on a night like this one,” he said.

She snorted. “Where you snuck into my dig camp, scared the bejesus out of all of us, and stole my artifact?”

“Where my team infiltrated to secure a dangerous piece of ancient technology and stop anyone from being hurt, or worse. For my troubles, I got smacked in the head with a metal pipe.”

“It was a pole. A fence stake.” She still remembered the chaos in the camp and the big, solid shadow looming over her. He’d subdued her pretty quickly, and after a short tussle, Lachlan had appeared to talk with her.

Seth laughed again. “You going to apologize?”

“Hell, no. If you’d just approached me and talked—”

“We don’t usually have that luxury.”

No, she guessed they didn’t. She’d hated seeing her student hurt by the crystal sphere, so she better understood the job Team 52 did.

“I guess I’m a bit sorry that I gave you a black eye.”

His sleeping bag rustled. “A bit?”

“That’s all you’re getting, Lynch. Be thankful.”

He made a choked sound, and she couldn’t tell if he was pissed or amused. Probably both.

Exhaustion finally started to drag her eyelids down.

“Oh. Oh! Yes! More.”

January tensed. The sound of moaning came from the neighboring tent. It was followed by loud masculine grunts.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Seth muttered.

Yep, Josh was up to his usual tricks again. “He could never keep it in his pants. And he likes young grad students.”

“He cheated on you?”

There was disbelief in Seth’s voice, and that made warmth bloom in her belly. “I made a mistake once, and was done with him the next day. A few hours later, I saw him kissing another woman by his car.”

“He’s a bigger idiot than I thought.”

She glanced Seth’s way, but it was too dark to see him.

“Get some sleep, James,” Seth murmured.

“I will. You, too.” Her eyelids were heavier now. She hadn’t been able to get any rest in the jungle. She’d been too wired and too scared. But knowing the power and strength of Seth Lynch was only inches away…

January smiled and fell asleep.

SETH CLAPPED his hand over January’s mouth and yanked her up against his body.

She sprang awake and started struggling wildly. His palm muffled her screams.

He pressed his mouth to her ear. “Shh. It’s me. Camp’s under attack.”

She stilled, her body quivering.

He lifted his hand.

She swiveled. “Who’s attacking?”

“I don’t know, but we need to move. Get your boots and gear.”

Rustling noises told him she was pulling her boots on. Seth threw on his own pack, and paused to listen. He could make out the faint sound of hushed voices not too far from the tents. Then, a woman’s scream pierced the night.

Shit. Seth pulled his knife off his belt, and sliced the back of the tent open. There was just enough moonlight to see. “Go.” He gripped January’s waist and pushed.

“What about the others?” She paused, half in, half out of the tent.

“No time.” His priorities were the artifacts and January.

He nudged her, grabbed his CXM, and then followed her out of the tent.

And smack into a tangled mess of vines that were half covering their tent.

Seth froze. He’d done several rounds of the camp earlier…this vegetation had not been there before they’d gone to sleep.

Confused, frowning, he pushed them away. “Go.”

January shoved through the vines, then paused to wait for him. Together, they jogged toward the trees. The grass had also grown longer and thicker, brushing their knees.

“The others—”

“Keep moving,” Seth said.

All of a sudden, a light shone on them.

“There!” a voice shouted.

Gunshots broke the silence of the night.

Seth dived, hitting January, and taking her down to the ground. “Crawl. We need to find cover.”

She nodded and rose on all fours, crawling into the trees. Seth followed, and behind them, heard the sounds of pursuit.

As soon as they reached the trees, he yanked her up.

“We can’t leave the others,” January cried.

“These people are after the artifacts, not your colleagues. We have to safeguard the spheres.”

She looked conflicted.

The next second, a red dot appeared on her chest. Fuck. Seth didn’t stop to think, he just moved, stepping in front of her.

The bullets slammed into his back, and he heard January cry out.

Pain exploded, as though he were getting hammered by a giant’s fist. He gritted his teeth, lifted his CXM, and spun.

As he fired his rifle, shouts and screams punctured the night.

Breathe through the pain, Lynch. “Move…have to…”

“Quiet.” January pressed one shoulder in under his armpit. He draped his arm across her shoulders.

“Are you bleeding?” she asked, tone businesslike, but he heard the concern in it.

He shook his head. “Hit my vest.”

They hobbled forward.

“But it must hurt.”

“Like a bitch.”

Each step they took felt like agony. Together, they staggered deeper into the jungle. It was dark and hard to see. They were moving too damn slowly.

Something slammed into January, knocking her over. With a cry, she fell, and they both went down. Seth groaned, nausea hitting him.

He saw a flashlight on the ground, illuminating a man with long, blond hair. He was half on January, tearing at her backpack, trying to get it off her. She kicked him and the man growled.

Seth reached for his CXM, but it was several feet away. Dammit. Instead, he reached for his SIG Sauer.

The attacker pulled out a knife and cut one of the backpack’s straps.

“No.” January kicked him again. “You are not taking my pack, asshole.”

“Give it to me.”

“Screw you!”

The contents of the backpack spilled open, and one jade sphere rolled out of its covering and into the dirt.

Dammit. Seth shoved the pain away and swiveled. He sat up and kicked the man. A lot harder than January had.

The man grunted and then Seth aimed the SIG right at the man’s head.

The man went still. His glittering blue eyes glared at Seth. He had pale skin and his hair was tangled around his shoulders.

“Who are you?” Seth demanded.

“A crusader.” He had a Scandinavian accent.

Seth fought to draw in a breath. He could hear other people crashing through the jungle. He watched the man’s gaze shift over Seth’s shoulder.

January stepped into view, holding the jade sphere.

Seth tried for another breath. Damn, it felt like he had an elephant on his chest. He needed his vest off, and then to sell his soul for some painkillers.

“You hold the chance to change the world in your hand.” The blond man’s hungry gaze was on the sphere.

January flicked a worried glance at Seth. Yeah, she’d heard it too. Fanaticism. He hated fanatics. They were impossible to reason with.

Seth jammed the gun hard against the side of the man’s head. “Who do you work for?”

“You’ll never stop us.”

January huffed out a breath. “He has a gun to your head. Answer him!”

The man’s lips pressed into a hard line.

He pressed harder until the man winced. “Tell me about Gaia.”

The man’s eyes flickered. “We have a mission. We’ll never stop.”

“I’ve heard it all before, man,” Seth said. “Every iteration of why you think you get to be an asshole. Just answer the question.”

The man smiled. “I’m a knight. A warrior of Gaia.”

The man leaped up, headbutting Seth’s chest.

Fuck. Outrageous pain speared through Seth and he staggered back, trying not to vomit.

“Seth!” January reached for him.

The man leaped at January, trying to wrench the sphere from her. She fought back like a wild hellcat and the pair hit the dirt, struggling like wrestlers. The blond man hit her in the head.

She cried out, clearly dazed. Seth fought to get his feet under him, but the pain held him pinned, only letting him move as fast as a damn snail.

The man yanked the sphere from January’s hands.

“No!” she yelled.

Dammit. Seth got up on one knee and lifted his SIG.

The man sprinted into the jungle. Seth took a shot, but knew he’d missed. He managed to stagger to his feet.

“January, you okay?”

She stood a few feet away, her face twisted in anger. “Yes. He got one of the spheres. We have to stop him.”

Seth nodded, but several armed attackers exploded out of the trees. They were closest to January and trained their guns on her.

Her eyes widened, and she held her hands out at her sides.

In that second, Seth knew he had a choice—go after the artifact, or save January.

Fuck.

He spun, swiveled on one knee, and aimed at the newcomers. “Down, James.”

She dropped, and Seth fired. Bam. Bam. Bam.

The men fell, all neutralized.

“We need to move.”

January raised her head. “But the sphere—?”

“Fuck the sphere.”

She sucked in a breath. “You did not just say that.”

Seth grabbed her hand, fighting off his pain. “First, let’s stay alive.”

Her gaze dropped to his chest. He knew she couldn’t miss his labored breathing.

“Fine,” she said.

He yanked her into the vegetation.

CHAPTER SIX

January ran, harder than she’d ever run before, fueled by her fury.

These assholes had tried to kill her…again. Seth had stepped in front of bullets for her. And now, these bastards had one of the spheres.

“We can’t let them have the artifact.” She slapped at a vine.

“We can’t stop them if we’re dead,” Seth gritted out.

She glanced up at him. She could hear the pain in his tone, and in the light of the flashlight he’d finally allowed her to switch on, his face held a grayish sheen.

“How bad’s the pain?” she asked.

“Just keep moving.”

She wanted to shoot all these bad guys. God, she hoped Josh, Rachelle, and the others were okay. January was angry and she was afraid. She hated being afraid.

Old memories, with very sharp fangs, rose up. But like she always did, she pushed away the fear and embraced the anger.

“So, what’s our plan, 007?”

“Not get riddled with bullets.”

She rolled her eyes. Again, the image of him stepping in front of her, taking those bullets for her, rocketed through her head.

Suddenly, he yanked her to a stop.

“Shh.” He pulled her close, flicked off the flashlight, and cocked his head.

Then she heard it. Bodies crashing through the jungle.

They were being hunted.

“Go.” Seth shoved her hard.

“I’m going.” She’d lost her unlaced boots in the fight, and running in bare feet in the dark jungle was not fun. Something sharp sliced her foot and she winced. But she didn’t complain. They had to get away.

They reached higher ground and she swiveled to look back. Her stomach clenched. A row of flashlights bobbed in the darkness, coming through the trees.

Straight for them.

“Faster, January.”

She turned and kept going. “I’m going as fast as I can considering I can’t see a damn thing.”

“Find some more speed, or you’ll find yourself tortured, raped, or killed.”

She felt the blood drain out of her face, and she stumbled.

“James?” His fingers tightened on her arm.

She shook her head, stubbornly. “I’m fine.” She barged on ahead.

They kept running, but they hadn’t gone much farther when she heard voices off to the left. Really close. Oh, no. Her heart sank.

“Shit. They’re flanking us,” Seth muttered.

Her heart was pounding. Trapped. Afraid. Helpless.

Suddenly, a soldier crashed out of the vegetation.

Seth yanked January back and lifted his weapon.

“Drop the gun,” the man growled.

More people came out of the trees from all sides, surrounding them.

Trapped. January swiveled her head. No.

A tall woman with short, black hair stepped forward. “We want the other artifact.”

January bit her lip. Where did these people get their information from? How did they know about the two spheres? How did they know that they potentially had abilities?

Screw being afraid. Seth was beside her, and she wasn’t a little girl anymore. She glared at the woman. “Go to hell.”

Seth made a sound. “Don’t goad people aiming guns at you, hellcat.”

“Fuck them,” she said.

He sighed.

“Drop the weapon and get on your knees,” the man said.

“I’m not getting on my knees,” January muttered.

Seth shook his head. “Why am I not surprised? Even in a really bad situation you can find time to argue.”

She raised a brow. “Are you going to drop your weapon?”

“Hell, no.”

She smiled. “You are, minutely, in very small doses, starting to grow on me, Lynch. But don’t tell anyone.”

“Don’t worry, hellcat. I’m sure the feeling will pass.”

“Stop talking and get down on the fucking ground,” the man shouted.

“So, we going to go down fighting?” January had been too young to fight back when she’d been attacked as a girl. Now, she was more than ready.

She saw Seth stiffen. She lifted her arms, willing to fight.

But he grabbed a fistful of the back of her shirt, and yanked her to the ground. What the hell?

Then she heard a noise.

A whoosh. A flap of fabric. Then a whizzing sound.

Seth pulled her closer. Shouts and gunfire erupted all around them. Suddenly, several black-clad figures were zipping down from the trees.

Holy fuck. She looked up at the canopy above, and spotted several parachutes flapping in the branches. Five figures hit the ground and whipped their high-tech assault rifles up.

They attacked, moving fast.

Her gaze fell on the big man in the lead. He mowed through a line of attackers. Even though the newcomers had their faces covered by black masks, she knew it was Lachlan Hunter.

Seth rose, lifted his rifle, and fired, joining his team. January watched Team 52 cut through the attackers with deadly efficiency.

A smaller figure in black leaped up and kicked an attacker in the head. Then the figure spun, and with two hard blows, drove a second one to the ground. That had to be Blair.

When more attackers came out of the trees, the largest of the Team 52 members stopped, lifted his rifle and fired a grenade. It exploded with a boom, flames licking at the trees. Screams echoed around them. Smith Creed.

Another smaller Team 52 member raced across the small clearing, firing in quick succession, taking down several attackers. Beside her, a taller team member leaped onto a log and jumped off, smashing into a man and riding him to the ground. January was pretty sure that was Callie and Axel.

January sucked in a breath. Team 52 sure knew how to make an entrance.

“WHERE’S the prick who took the artifact?” Seth asked.

“I don’t see him,” January answered.

Finally, the gunfire stopped. Out of the darkness, a woman slid in beside them and pushed her black mask down. She had a small, high-powered flashlight attached to her shoulder.

“Anyone hurt?”

“Hey, Callie.” Seth nodded at his teammate.

“Seth.” The medic turned to January. “It is very nice to see you alive, January.”

“Thanks, Callie. Nice to be alive.”

Callie scanned them both. “So, no gunshot wounds, stab injuries, claw marks?”

“Seth took two bullets in his vest,” January said.

“Ouch,” Callie said sympathetically. She fished around in her backpack and, a second later, she pulled out a syringe. Before Seth could say anything, she stuck it in his arm. “Vest off.”

He obeyed and let Callie ease it off him. She quickly assessed his ribs. He winced a few times, but the painkillers had already taken the edge off.

“Nothing broken. You’ll probably just have a few bruises.” The medic turned to January. “You next.”

“Well, I don’t have any gunshot wounds.”

Seth scowled. “That prick hit you in the head.”

“Head’s fine.” She winced. “I do have a few cuts on my feet, though.”

Seth cursed. “What?”

“I lost my boots. Didn’t have time to lace them.”

He dropped down beside her. His ribs protested, but he focused on lifting one of her bare feet. They were scratched to hell and covered in mud. “Why didn’t you say anything?” His tone was clipped.

January tilted her head. “Oh, I don’t know.” Sarcasm laced her voice. “Maybe because we were running for our lives.”

“Everyone okay?” Lachlan’s voice.

Lachlan and the rest of Team 52 surrounded them, with the exception of Smith, who was standing over the line of zip-tied attackers. Some of them were conscious.

Seth met Lachlan’s gaze. “We’re all right. One of these guys got away with one of the spheres, though.”

Lachlan’s mouth compressed into a thin line and he gave a sharp nod.

“The other one is safe in January’s backpack.”

“Good. Keep it there for now, and we’ll put it in a containment box on the X8.”

Seth looked back at January’s feet. One had a really nasty cut and was caked with mud. “You should have told me.”

She made an annoyed sound. “When we were dodging bullets or when we were wrestling with the bad guys?”

“They don’t look too bad.” Callie’s lips were twitching. “I’ll clean them up on the X8 and get some antiseptic cream on them. Don’t want you getting a nasty jungle infection.”

January’s nose screwed up. “I’d like to avoid nasty infections.”

“No point cleaning them here,” Callie added. “They’ll be dirty again after about three seconds.”

Seth met Lachlan’s gaze. “Can we get out of this fucking jungle?”

Lachlan nodded. “There’s a clearing two klicks west of here. We’ll get picked up there.”

“Saw you treejumped in.”

“We needed the element of surprise.”

“Treejumped?” January asked.

“A form of low altitude parachuting, specifically for the jungle,” Seth told her. “It was created by the British SAS for jungle insertion. You parachute into a tree canopy, then rappel down.”

“It sounds dangerous,” she said.

“It is.”

“All right, let’s move out,” Lachlan announced.

“What about these guys?” January asked.

“Team of Guatemalan soldiers is inbound to take care of them,” Lachlan answered.

January bit her lip. “And the archeologists at the dig site?”

“The Guatemalan authorities are taking care of them, too,” Lachlan said. “Brooks tells me that they are all okay, including an irate, very demanding, Dr. Andelman.”

A short, wry laugh escaped January. “That sounds about right.”

They set off, and Seth watched her limp through the jungle. Despite his aching chest, which was now not so bad, thanks to the painkillers, Seth scooped her into his arms.

“Hey, you were shot earlier. I can walk.”

“No, you can’t.”

“Yes, I can, Lynch. I’m not a princess. A few cuts won’t stop me.”

“Okay, but I wasn’t asking. You’re not walking.”

She huffed out a breath. “Fine, 007. Have at it.”

From nearby, Blair snickered, and Seth shot his friend a look. Beside Blair, Axel was grinning at them.

“Where do you think the sphere is?” January asked quietly, bringing his attention back to her.

“My guess is that the guy and the sphere are long gone.”

She sighed.

“Don’t worry, we’ll find it.”

“You get any more info from these guys?” Lachlan asked.

“The guy who took the sphere said he was a knight. A warrior of Gaia.”

“I go to a yoga place in Vegas called Gaia,” Callie said.

“Pretty sure these guys aren’t yoga instructors,” Seth said.

“Brooks?” Lachlan touched his earpiece. He relayed the information. “Run some searches see what you can find.”

They moved swiftly through the trees and finally reached the clearing. The X8 came into view a moment later, and January gasped.

“What kind of aircraft is that?” she asked.

The jet-copter hovered above the ground, and they jogged toward it.

“A classified, experimental one.”

With its coaxial dual rotors, wide body, and jet engines, it looked like the love child of a helicopter and plane. It was far faster than most helicopters and had an increased range.

“Who’s piloting?” Seth asked. He and Blair were the team pilots.

“Arlo,” Blair answered. “On remote.”

The man was former Air Force, and was in charge of the storage facility back at base. But he’d been a hell of a pilot in his day.

They all climbed aboard, and Seth settled January in a seat.

“Don’t move,” he ordered.

She glared at him, then leaned back in the seat. He watched as she closed her eyes and let out a long breath. “That’s an unnecessary order.”

“Finally, she listens to me.”

“I listen to you, Lynch. I just don’t dance to your orders.”

God, always busting his balls. He moved to step away, but her hand shot out and circled his wrist.

“Thank you, Seth.”

He heard the heartfelt meaning in her words and something moved through him. The intensity in her hazel eyes caught him.

“I’d be dead if it wasn’t for you,” she finished quietly.

“Glad you aren’t dead, hellcat.”

She raised a brow. “Hellcat?”

“If the shoe fits…”

She crossed her arms. “It doesn’t.”

“It does. If I get 007, you get hellcat.”

She closed her eyes. “I’m too tired to argue with you.”

He pretended to look out the window with avid interest.

She opened one eye. “What are you doing?”

“Looking for a blue moon or a flying pig.”

Her gaze narrowed, but before she could volley back, Blair marched past on her way to the cockpit.

Seth moved to follow his team mate but she blocked him.

“Uh-uh. You get to be a passenger this trip, Lynch. Rest up.”

“I can—”

“No, Seth,” Lachlan said. “Rest.”

Seth scowled. He preferred to be in control when they were flying. He forced himself to drop into a seat.

He opened his backpack and pulled out his first aid kit. He scooped January’s feet into his lap.

“Hey—”

“Shut it.”

“I just thanked you, and now you’re being an asshole again.”

“I’m cleaning your injured feet. How is that being an asshole?”

She huffed out a breath and crossed her arms over her chest. “You could have asked.”

He decided to ignore her. As the jet-copter lifted into the air, he set to work cleaning January’s feet. Seth definitely had to admit that he was happy to be out of the damn jungle.

Lachlan leaned forward. “We need to secure the remaining artifact.”

January pointed to her backpack on the floor. Lachlan set it on the table, and carefully pulled out the wrapped sphere. He uncovered it.

Axel leaned over from the seat behind them. “Pretty.”

“It’s made of pure jade,” January said. “Jade was highly valued by the Maya. It was more valuable than gold, and was associated with water, vegetation, life, and fertility. The Maya used the precious stone in various ways, from healing to funerals and rituals.” As she spoke, her face came to life.

Seth let his gaze roam over her features.

“Nobles and royals were often found buried with many jade artifacts,” January added.

“You had two jade spheres?” Lachlan asked.

She nodded.

“What do they do?” Smith asked, his brows set in a frown.

“I don’t know,” January answered. “We found them in an overgrown temple. There were no tombs there, so we suspect the temple was erected solely to house these.”

Lachlan lifted his gaze. “A Snake King temple?”

January nodded.

“Tell them what you told me about the Snake Kings,” Seth said.

She gave a quick history of the ambitious Snake King Dynasty.

“You think these spheres played a part in the Snake Kings’ rise to power?” Axel asked.

“I don’t have all the answers,” she said. “But yes, I’m thinking that’s likely.”

By now, Seth had finished with her feet, and his brain was spinning. He made the mistake of glancing back at her feet, which distracted him. They were small, narrow, and looked way too delicate for a strong woman like January. He also noted with some interest that she’d painted her toenails bright red.

“I didn’t replace one of the wrappings on the sphere last night.” Seth forced his thoughts back to the job at hand. He felt everyone look at him, but he met January’s gaze. “The vegetation outside our tent was overgrown when we left it. Vegetation that hadn’t been there before. It grew up in hours.”

She hissed out a breath. “I’d forgotten!”

He gently touched the worst-looking cut on her foot. “Callie? You need to take a look at this.”

The medic leaned over and nodded. “Needs some glue. Let me take over.”

“So, this artifact stimulated the growth of the vegetation?” Lachlan said.

Seth nodded, and glanced at January, who appeared to be lost in thought.

His team leader frowned. “Then who the hell stole the sphere, and what the hell do they want it for?”

That was the million-dollar question.

CHAPTER SEVEN

January woke as the jet-copter came in to land. She blinked, pushing her hair out of her face.

She knew where they were. The Tonopah Test Range, about a hundred and fifty miles from Las Vegas. She stared blearily out the window at a cluster of aircraft hangars, and around them, beige desert as far as she could see. The Range was also known as Area 52.

The skids touched down. The infamous Area 51 lay not far to the southeast. She’d been to the Area 52 base a few times. The hangars, office buildings, and runways looked very boring, and gave no hint to what lay beneath.

“How are you feeling?”

She looked up at Seth. In the bright daylight, his scars looked stark against his tan skin. He also looked tired.

“I warned you not to be nice to me, Lynch.”

He gave a small shake of his head, looking amused.

Lachlan opened the side door of the X8 and, as January stood, she watched the team leap off the aircraft. Seth jumped out with a fluid flex of muscle, and she clambered down after him in the borrowed boots Callie had found for her on the jet-copter. They headed toward a large aircraft hangar.

The doorway inside was flanked by black-clad guards with serious faces. Nearby, stood other guards in blue-gray fatigues. She knew they were Air Force.

Team 52 stepped into the hangar, and it took January’s eyes a second to adjust from the bright light to the gloom. Everything looked very normal. Planes, maintenance scaffolding, more guards.

Lachlan led them to an elevator at the back of the hangar. He was carrying the containment box, his silver-metal hand wrapped around the handle.

The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside. The interior had matte-black walls, and a mesh floor. After Lachlan hit a button, the elevator zoomed downward.

Moments later, they stepped into the heart of Team 52 territory.

There was more matte-black metal, and the cavernous space was dominated by enormous double doors that she knew led into the secure storage area. The archeologist in her turned somersaults at the idea of being allowed into that warehouse, and seeing all the magnificent and fascinating artifacts that had been locked away.

The team turned away from the warehouse, and Seth gripped her elbow. They walked through a regular doorway that led to the team’s main operations area.

A man was waiting for them. A man she’d never seen before on her previous visits. Wow. He was the kind of man who drew a woman’s gaze.

Unlike the rest of Team 52, who wore fatigues and body armor, this man wore a clearly custom-tailored suit. The dark-blue fabric covered a lean, panther-like body. His hands rested on lean hips as he watched them approach. He radiated a ‘man in charge’ vibe.

He had silky, black hair that wasn’t too long, and framed a face designed to make women beg and angels weep. He had to have some Native American heritage—evident in his bronze skin and high cheekbones.

Lachlan lifted his chin. “Jonah.”

The man nodded, and a second later, intense green eyes hit January. “Dr. James, I’m glad to see you’re alive.”

“Not half as glad as I am.”

The man inclined his head, and there was a faint flicker of amusement in his eyes. “I’m Jonah Grayson.”

“AKA the boss,” Seth murmured to her.

“January, Jonah is the Director of Area 52,” Lachlan added.

Jonah swiveled to Lachlan. “The artifact?”

Lachlan lifted the containment box. “I’ll get it to Ty so he can start some tests. We need to work out exactly what it does. And then we need to find out who’s got the other one.”

Jonah nodded, and his gaze flicked to January again. For some reason, she felt the need to steel herself. Then she felt the brush of Seth’s hand on her lower back, and she settled. Apparently, her Seth Lynch radar was now very finely tuned.

“I know you’ve cooperated with my team before, and I’d like to thank you. It makes our job much easier.”

“I didn’t really cooperate the first time.”

Blair snorted. “No, she whacked Lynch in the head with a pole.”

January’s belly clenched. Did they have to keep bringing that up?

“Gave him a black eye,” Axel added with a grin.

She looked back at Seth and saw he was scowling at the ceiling.

“Um, I am sorry about that. But this whole secrecy thing you’ve got going on doesn’t agree with me. I prefer conversation, rather than an infiltration in the middle of the night. Works better, and people don’t get hurt accidentally.”

Seth made a sound. “Still no reason to smack a man with a pole.”

“I thought you were bad guys.”

Jonah shifted. “We don’t always have the luxury of conversation, Dr. James. Not when lives are at stake.”

She nodded. “Believe me, I’ve gotten that point soundly over the last twenty-four hours. I’m still not entirely onboard with it all, but I’ll keep bringing you any dangerous artifacts I discover. But I’m not going to lie to you, I think the world should know about this ancient technology. Let the archeologists and historians put all the pieces together correctly. Let people know what they might stumble across.”

Jonah smiled, but there was nothing happy about it. “One day, perhaps.” His face turned serious. “One day, when I know there aren’t groups and organizations that attack labs and digs, when innocent people aren’t slaughtered. When I know that planes won’t be shot down in order for people to get their hands on these artifacts.”

Touché. She nodded, and again she felt a hit of grief at the three men who’d died on the plane.

“Let’s get this sphere to Ty,” Lachlan said.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Jonah said. “Lachlan, when you’re ready to debrief, I’ll be in my office.” Jonah nodded at January and stalked off.

They all headed down a wide hallway. It was lined with large, glass windows that offered glimpses into different rooms—a large rec room with a kitchen, offices.

They moved through a set of doors and into a lab.

Oh. January looked around with interest. Mostly, she preferred being in the field, but this laboratory was clearly top-of-the-line.

“Put it on the bench,” a gruff voice said.

January turned and spied a large, African-American man in a lab coat. He had a powerful body, intense brown eyes, and a well-groomed goatee. This was Dr. Ty Sampson, medical doctor and all-round genius.

“Hey, Ty.” Blair pulled herself onto an empty bench. “The jungle was hot and humid, and full of mosquitoes. Oh, and assholes shooting at us. But we’re fine, thanks for asking.”

Ty ignored her. “Over here.” He pointed to an empty bench.

Lachlan set the containment box down and opened the case.

Ty moved closer, but January saw him pause near Blair and raise a hand. He shone a penlight in her eye. “You look healthy to me.”

Blair batted his hand away, but they were both smiling.

Ty’s gaze switched to January. “Glad to see that you’re all in one piece, and not dead.”

“Aw, I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy, Ty.” January actually had a soft spot for the grumpy genius.

“Now, can we please take a look at this damn artifact?”

“Wow, Ty said please,” Axel said, with a look of mock shock on his face.

The big doctor scowled and nudged the covering off the sphere.

“Did we miss anything?” Two people pushed through the doors, and into the lab.

Because January was standing between Seth and Smith, she noted Smith stiffen minutely. Hmm. She would have guessed that nothing ever put the big, tough Smith on edge.

“Happy to see you guys not filled with bullet holes.” Brooks Jameson grinned at them all.

The comms guru had thick, brown hair that looked like it needed a cut, dark-framed glasses on a handsome face, and a gray T-shirt stretched over his muscled chest. The sleeves of the shirt bit into his biceps and showed off the ink on his arms. He shifted, and she saw the shirt had a picture of Darth Vader on the front with “Who’s your daddy?” written beneath it. She swallowed a smile.

The woman beside him was… January blinked. She was gorgeous. She had sunny blonde hair, a beautiful pixie face, and a blinding smile. She wore a plain, white T-shirt pulled over gorgeous breasts, and tight jeans that showed off a killer figure and long legs.

“Kinsey,” Smith growled. “What are you doing here?”

Kinsey winked at Smith. “They do let me out of the Bunker once in a while, big guy.”

As the woman took in Smith’s unsmiling face, her smile faltered, but then resumed full wattage. She came forward to shake January’s hand.

“I’m Kinsey Beck. I run things in Las Vegas and keep these badasses organized when they’re in town.”

“January James.”

“Oh, I know.” Another blinding smile and January had to shake her head to clear it. The woman should be on stage, or a movie star.

Ty made a sound, and January turned. With gloved hands, he was lifting the jade sphere out of the box.

“Where’s Nat?” Axel asked.

January knew Natalie Blackwell, too. She was the Team 52 archeologist.

“At a conference,” Ty said. “She’s on her way in.”

Ty set the sphere onto a small stand on the bench. A hush fell over the room.

“Pretty thing,” Kinsey murmured.

Seth leaned forward. “From what I saw, it caused plant growth to accelerate. Vines grew up in hours.”

Ty grunted and tapped on a large screen. “I’ll run several tests, and we’ll work it out.”

Brooks leaned against the bench, tablet in hand. “I’ve been running searches on the warriors of Gaia. I found something.”

January straightened, and watched the entire team go on alert.

“In Greek mythology, Gaia was the goddess of the Earth,” Brooks said. “The mother of all life.”

“Okay,” Lachlan said. “And?”

“There are also businesses, charities, and organizations with the word Gaia in their name. I found one charitable organization called the Guardians of Gaia. Their mission is to protect the environment. They do good work.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Blair said.

“They run fundraisers, save endangered animals, help clean up toxic spills. All above-board.” Brooks paused. “But then I dug deeper, and deeper.”

“They were hiding something,” Lachlan said.

Brooks nodded. “Deep. I found references to the Knights of Gaia. They are definitely connected to the Guardians of Gaia.”

January really wasn’t liking the sound of this.

“The Knights appear to be the militant arm of Guardians of Gaia. The Knights are dedicated to protecting the environment…and they don’t care how they go about doing that.”

January frowned. She really couldn’t see dedicated environmentalists out murdering people and shooting down planes.

Brooks looked around. “The Guardians of Gaia are a legitimate charity, but the Knights of Gaia are ecoterrorists.”

“Shit,” Axel muttered.

“I’ve heard of them,” Smith said. “A group attacked a mining operation in Colorado, up in the mountains. There were whispers about who was responsible.”

Brooks nodded. “That was the Knights, although they never publicly claimed responsibility. They are secretive, real secretive.”

“What did they do?” January asked.

“They blew the mine sky-high,” Brooks said. “Killed twenty workers in the process.”

January pulled in a sharp breath and heard hisses around her.

“They operate in small cells,” Brooks continued. “They keep contact between cells limited, so that if one is caught, they can’t link to others.”

“Clever,” Seth said.

Brooks tapped on his tablet, and then turned it to show them some images. The images included the shell of a bombed building near a beach, a large, fire-ravaged house hugging the side of a forested mountain, and what she guessed was the destroyed mine nestled in a valley.

“The Knights of Gaia have also been stepping up their recruiting activities over the last year,” Brooks said.

January wrapped her arms around her middle. The Knights of Gaia had shot down her plane, killed three of her people, and tried to kill her. She glanced up and saw Seth frowning.

“Get to the point, Brooks,” Seth said.

“I had to dig deep, but I found some info on the dark web. Including their manifesto.”

“And?” Seth prompted.

“Within a decade, the Knights of Gaia have vowed that there will be no cars, no industry, and no cities. That nothing but a clear, green Earth will exist.”

January sucked in a breath. “They want to destroy all the cities?”

“They’re fanatics,” Brooks said. “And very dedicated to their cause.”

“Shit,” Seth muttered.

“All right, everyone out of my lab,” Ty said. “I have work to do.”

They filed out.

“I’ll keep running the Knights.” Brooks tucked his tablet under his arm.

“We need the main cell locations, Brooks,” Lachlan said. “We need to find that sphere.”

Brooks shoved his glasses farther up on his nose. “On it.”

“Everyone, get some rest,” Lachlan said. “If Brooks gets a location on the Knights, we need everyone ready to move quickly.”

“I’ll show January to some quarters,” Seth said.

“Room T15 is free,” Brooks said.

As everyone split off, heading in different directions, Seth led January down another corridor. Despite her nap on the plane, her energy was dragging.

Seth opened a door. “It’s nothing fancy.”

She took it all in. There was a bed, a desk, and a small door leading to what she guessed was a bathroom. As with everything at the base, it was decorated in black.

“You know I’m used to tents and jungle.” She smiled at him. “And, as you like to remind me, I spend a lot of time in mud.”

“Then enjoy living it up, James.”

She stepped inside. A proper hot shower was going to feel like heaven.

“There’ll be a change of clothes in the closet,” Seth said. “Fatigues.”

“Ooh, the high life.”

He shook his head. “I’m across the hall, if you need anything.”

He turned to leave, but she reached out and grabbed his wrist.

Their gazes met, and they stared at each other for a beat. “Thanks again for saving me.”

“You already thanked me.”

“Well, I’m really happy to be alive.” He’d stepped in front of bullets for her and kept her from losing it. “So, thanks again.”

“Just doing my job.”

The strangest pain burned through her chest. His job. Right. That’s all it was.

She dropped his wrist. “Of course.” She gave him another nod, and then closed the door.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Feeling unsettled, Seth crossed the hall to his quarters.

But all he kept seeing was how January’s eyes had gone blank. She’d thanked him, and he’d made it sound like she’d just been something to check off on a list.

He stepped inside. He kept his room neat. The only additions that made it look different from January’s quarters were a few books on the desk, and a framed, black-and-white print of the famous Las Vegas sign on the wall. He’d taken the picture himself.

It had been too damn long since he’d picked up his Canon. Photography relaxed him. Finding the right shot, getting the light right. It took patience and skill, and while he focused on getting the perfect shot, it cleared his mind.

His mind sure as hell wasn’t clear right now. Seth started pacing in the small space. He felt on edge. Usually after a mission ended, he relaxed. When the adrenaline high was gone, he crashed, slept, and got ready for the next emergency.

But he kept seeing January’s face. She’d been rock solid on their dash through the jungle. No matter what they’d faced, she’d hit it head-on.

Shaking his head, he headed for the bathroom, stripping off his clothes as he went. He’d done his job and rescued her. That’s all there was between him and January James, except for a few heated words when they clashed over something.

Flicking the shower on, he climbed in, bending his head and letting the water hit him. He tried to relax his tense muscles. He knew it was necessary in this kind of work to learn to switch off during down times, otherwise you risked burning out.

He’d just rinsed the shampoo out of his hair, when he heard a knock at the door in the other room.

Dammit. He shut the water off, grabbed a towel, and quickly swiped it across his chest before he tugged it around his hips. It was probably Brooks with information on the Knights of Gaia.

Seth yanked open his door.

January stood there, wearing a borrowed black shirt that swamped her frame. Her damp hair looked shades darker, and fell loose over her shoulders.

His gaze dropped, and he realized that the shirt was the only thing she was wearing. His cock took notice, and his gaze traveled down her bare legs.

Shit. He jerked his gaze up. “You okay?” Don’t get hard, Lynch. The damn towel wouldn’t hide his hard-on.

She looked frozen. She was staring at his bare chest.

He stiffened as well. It was his damn scars. They weren’t as bad as his face, but they weren’t pretty. The bastards who’d tortured him hadn’t mucked around.

Then he realized she wasn’t looking at his scars. She was watching a drop of water as it snaked down his chest.

“January?”

She blinked and moved forward. She quickly shoved her way inside and closed the door.

He frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t want to be alone, and nothing’s wrong now. Not anymore.”

She looked up at him and there was heat in her eyes. She pressed her hands to his bare chest, went up on her toes, and crushed her mouth to his.

Fuck. Fuck.

Seth wrapped his arms around her and returned the kiss. He backed her up against the door, his tongue delving inside her mouth. Damn, she could kiss, and she tasted so damn good.

She moaned, a sound that vibrated through him. He boosted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

“What are we doing?” he said.

“If you don’t know, then you aren’t as sharp as I thought.” She nipped his stubbled jaw.

He took her mouth again. The kiss was hot and hard, with lots of tongue. She’d brushed her teeth and tasted like mint. Then, she undulated against him.

Another husky moan. “God, you’re so hard. All of you.”

He was hard in lots of places, and she was soft in all the right places. He kissed her again, trying to get his brain to function. “January—”

“Don’t talk, Lynch.” Her hands sank into his hair, pulling hard. She bit his lip. “When you do, you often annoy me.”

Damn. Always the ballbuster. Still, his cock was so hard it hurt. “We should talk—”

“No.” Another nip. “There are better things we can do.”

Seth reminded himself that twenty-four hours ago, he’d thought this vibrant woman was dead. And it had gutted him.

Now, here she was in his arms, and she was alive. Very alive. He slid his hands up under the shirt. So definitely alive.

She kissed him again and pleasure flooded him. Maybe talking wasn’t the way to go right now. His fingers brushed the curls at the juncture of her thighs. She wasn’t wearing any panties. All he felt was January.

He groaned.

“Right there, Seth. I need you inside me.” She rocked against him. “Fuck me, please.”

He took her mouth again and, as they kissed, her hands fumbled at his waist, pushing his towel away.

“God, your body.” She ran her hands over his abs, then up his chest. He stiffened for a second. Women either pretended his scars didn’t exist and gave him wide berth, or they got a slightly sick look on their faces.

January didn’t even seem to notice. She ran her hands over his skin—scars and all.

“I love your tattoo as well.” Then her fingers traveled back down. She reached between them and found his cock.

Shit. He bucked against her and she pumped him.

“Wow,” she breathed against his lips. “There’s a lot of you.” She stroked him.

Holding on to the last, desperate strand of his control, he grabbed her wrist. “Wait.”

“Why?” Hazel eyes met his.

In that moment, he felt the irresistible pull of her. The connection between them. He’d bedded some stunning women, but none had made him feel quite like this. None had left him unable to string words together.

“You should know that I’m on birth control. I had a physical before the dig, and I’m clean.”

Seth groaned again.

“And I suspect they give you regular checks around here. Are you healthy?”

Seth’s brain finally ticked over. “Yeah.”

January stroked his cock again, increasing her pace. “I need you inside me.”

“God, you turn me inside out.”

She smiled. “Good.” Then she nipped his jaw. “And if you tell anyone about this…”

He moved his mouth to her ear and bit her back. “Just you and me, hellcat.”

He pinned her to the wall, spreading her legs and grinding his cock against her. She was warm and wet, and they both groaned. Then he tore her shirt open, sending buttons pinging onto the floor. He pushed her up and took one nipple in his mouth.

“Yes.” Her hands were in his hair again.

She had gorgeous, full breasts, and pretty, pink nipples. He lavished them with attention. God, he could spend all day right here.

But something niggled at him. He lifted his head. “Wait.”

She huffed out a breath. “I never expected you to talk this much. You strike me as an action man.”

“I need to—”

“No,” she urged. “No talking.”

“You’ve had a traumatic experience, January.” Shit. He could be an asshole sometimes, but even for him, taking advantage of a vulnerable woman didn’t sit well.

She growled. “My mind is functioning just fine, Lynch. Now slide that thick cock inside me.”

He groaned. He couldn’t fight the pull of her anymore. He moved his hips and his cock slid along her wet folds. They both groaned. God, she felt so good.

He cupped her ass in both hands and rubbed against her again. Sensation rolled through him.

“Seth.” It was half plea, half complaint.

He met her hazel eyes, and they were filled with fierce desire. Her face was flushed with need.

He couldn’t stop. He thrust his cock inside her.

Her head fell back on a cry, and Seth groaned deep. She was tight as hell.

“Fuck, January.”

“Usually when you say those two words, you’re pissed at me.” Her voice was breathy, with the slightest hint of amusement.

He sure as hell wasn’t pissed at her now. He was too busy enjoying the sensations of her heat clamped on his cock. He pulled out and slid back in.

They both moaned.

“Never gone without a condom,” he said.

She stilled. “Never?”

“Never.” He’d never been with a woman long enough to head in that direction. Hell, he’d never trusted a woman not to lie to him.

“Live it up, 007.” She moved, biting his ear. “If it feels half as good as how it feels to have you filling me up—”

Seth lost his control. He thrust into her, hard and firm. He lost any hope of conscious thought. He was just lost in January, absorbing her warmth, and savoring the feel of her. Her sharp breaths puffed on his cheek with every thrust.

Alive. She was alive.

“Harder,” she cried.

And then Seth was hammering into her, pinning her to the door. He slid a hand down, thumbing her clit.

“Oh.” Her legs tightened on him.

And then, with two more thrusts, she was coming hard. Seth kept thrusting. He couldn’t stop now if an entire platoon of enemy soldiers invaded the base.

Her body clenched down on his cock, and he gritted his teeth. He wanted to take her there again.

Her legs tightened. “Seth.”

“Again, January.”

“I…”

“Come again, baby. Get there.”

He felt her nails slide down his back, scoring his skin. Yes, his little hellcat.

“Seth.” Another sharp cry, and she shuddered against him.

As she rode out her second orgasm, Seth couldn’t hold back anymore. His thrusts turned harder, wilder.

He came in a long, overwhelming rush. He poured himself inside her, groaning her name.

And he kept his arms locked around her, holding her tight.

JANUARY WAS BREATHING HEAVILY, little shudders of pleasure still rippling through her body.

And Seth Lynch was still lodged deep inside her.

God, she’d just let Seth fuck her—hard. And she’d liked it. A lot.

She’d wanted this. Needed this. But now what?

“Seth—”

“Quiet.” He lifted her away from the door. She gripped his shoulders. God, he was strong. She wasn’t exactly as light as a feather.

“Ah, I need to clean up,” she said.

He carried her into the bathroom and set her down on the vanity. She figured he’d leave, but instead, he grabbed a washcloth, wet it, then gently wiped between her legs.

Her chest locked. No one had ever taken care of her like that. The gesture was intimate, caring.

She turned her head and caught her reflection in the mirror on the wall. She looked flushed and well-pleasured. Seth Lynch, a man who drove her crazy, had just given her the best orgasm of her life.

Two of them, in fact.

She blew out a breath. She’d survived a horrible situation, and it wasn’t just the plane crash and attack of the last few days, but the horrible event that had stolen her mother and her innocence from her.

She’d long ago vowed to make every moment, every action count. For her mom. And now for those who’d died on the plane. For herself.

She lifted her chin and met Seth’s ice-blue gaze. But she was instantly distracted by his chest. God, that bronze skin and those defined muscles. Her belly quivered. He was so well-built. Just how she liked a man.

And that handsome, fascinating face.

She looked in the mirror again…and saw the terrible bruise on his back. Her belly dropped. She gripped his arm. “Turn around.”

“January—”

“Turn.”

With a sigh, he obeyed. Oh. She ran her fingers gently over the purple bruise. He’d gotten it when he’d taken the bullets in his vest. Bullets meant for her. She leaned forward and kissed his abused skin.

He stood stock still.

She lifted her head and cleared her throat. “Well, I guess—”

Seth spun and picked her up.

“Lynch,” she squeaked.

He turned and strode out of the bathroom. He crossed the room and dropped her on the bed.

“What are you—?”

He leaned over her. “Not done with you, yet.”

She sucked in a breath. He reached down and tugged the shirt off her shoulders.

She smiled. “Really?” Desire was already building in her belly.

He pushed her legs apart, and boldly stroked his hand between her legs. He caressed her, seemingly fascinated with a tiny strip of dark hair above her sex. She lifted her hips.

“I’m going to eat you until you come on my tongue.”

Her belly spasmed.

“Then I’ll fuck you again.” He slid a finger inside her.

“Um…” Her brain wouldn’t work. “So far I’m onboard with your plans.”

“Most agreeable I’ve ever seen you.”

She narrowed her gaze on him. “Don’t ruin a good thing, Lynch.”

His smile was sexy as hell, and he slid a second finger inside her. “Guess I have to put my mouth to good use.”

He leaned down and bit her inner thigh.

She swallowed a moan. “Again…no complaints.”

She got another bite.

“And later, I want to see that sassy mouth of yours wrapped around my cock.”

Their gazes met. She was already hungry for a taste of that. It must have shown on her face, because his gaze darkened.

Here, there was just the two of them, and the pleasure. There were no ecoterrorists, or potentially dangerous artifacts, or dead friends.

“That can be arranged,” she murmured.

“You want to feel me, January?” He lowered his head and licked her.

She cried out.

“You want to feel me for days?” He slid his hands beneath her and lifted her up to his mouth.

Her eyes fluttered closed as he feasted on her. God. It felt so good.

“Open your eyes.” His voice was guttural.

She obeyed, that handsome, scarred face filling her vision. She watched his mouth on her as he devoured her, and watching drove her desire up several more notches.

He dragged his tongue over her swollen flesh, and then his lips brushed her clit. She bucked against him. It was all too much.

She slid a hand into his hair and fisted it.

He growled against her tender skin and pleasure vibrated through her.

“Seth.” She jerked in his hold and he lowered her down, sliding two fingers back inside her. His mouth closed over her clit.

It was like a detonation. January’s back arched off the bed, and her orgasm scorched through her. She screamed this time, and squeezed his head with her thighs. His tongue kept working her.

Finally, she collapsed back on the bed, panting.

Seth stood, towering above her. God, he looked like some dark god, come down to Earth to pillage. His cock was rock-hard and rising up against his six-pack stomach. He reached down and lifted her off the bed.

“Seth—”

“I’m going to fuck you on my desk next. Going to do you in every part of my room.”

Her belly clenched. Oh, God.

He crossed the room, and January felt her butt hit the cool edge of the desk. Then he flipped her over, and her hips pressed to the wood.

“Need to be inside you, hellcat. You are so damn hot.”

“Do it.” She pushed her ass back against him. He palmed her cheeks.

“You push me to the edge, January.”

She glanced back over her shoulder. “Right back at you, Seth.”

He buried his cock in her with one thrust.

January moaned and pressed her cheek to the desk. “More.”

He started moving, flesh slapping against flesh. “You love this.” His breath was hot on her ear.

She pushed back to meet his thrusts.

“Tell me,” he demanded.

“Yes. I love it.”

His hands pressed to the desktop beside her, and she watched the sexy muscles in his forearm flex under his scars. She pushed harder back against him, impossibly feeling another orgasm growing.

He was going to kill her.

One of his hands moved and squeezed her ass. Then, he held her hips as he started hammering faster.

Her orgasm hit hard and she screamed. His fingers gripped her skin, and she didn’t care if he left marks.

Seth pumped harder, growling through his own release. January turned her head and sank her teeth into his forearm.

Moments later, they both collapsed on the desk, not moving. She couldn’t move. One, because she was pinned beneath his weight, and two, because her legs were suddenly boneless.

She felt something shiver through her. A hint of fear. Sex, she could handle. Amazing, mind-blowing sex, she could handle. But January wasn’t entirely sure what this was.

She tried to pull in a breath and Seth’s weight lifted. His arms enfolded her, pulling her back against his chest.

“I’ve got you, James.”

No one had caught her and held her safe for a long, long time. She relaxed. But with this man wrapped around her, she believed him.

CHAPTER NINE

Seth turned in the tangled sheets. Damn, his body was loose and relaxed. He pulled in a breath, and with it, the scent of January from his pillow.

He opened his eyes.

It only took him a second to realize that she was gone.

He sat up in his bunk, scanning the room. Yep, he was alone. His jaw clenched. She’d snuck out.

Seth fell back against the pillows, not sure how he felt about that.

God. The hours they’d spent here in his bed, and everything they’d done to each other, moved through his head in bright Technicolor. After the first few frenzied times he’d taken her, he’d then had her in the shower, on the floor, and then she’d gone down on him back in the bed. And she’d done it with a whole lot of enthusiasm. He suspected she got off on sucking his cock more than he did her doing it.

He smiled. She was the best he’d ever had, bar none. It seemed January James was passionate about more than just her work.

His phone rang, and he reached over and snatched it up. “Brooks?”

“Hey, Seth. Hope you got some sleep.”

Hell, no. Not that he cared. He grunted wordlessly in reply.

“Meeting in the lab.”

Seth straightened. Work called. He didn’t waste any time taking a quick shower and dressing. As he shaved, he kept thinking of January. He hated that he hadn’t woken up with her. Which was weird, because he never hung around long enough to wake up with a woman.

He rinsed his face and reminded himself that he didn’t do relationships. He’d had a girlfriend in high school, but once he joined the Agency, relationships had become impossible. He’d had an agreement with a fellow agent for a while. She’d been good in bed, but it hadn’t taken her long to try and screw him over in order to get a promotion. Once, he’d also tangled with a foreign agent in more ways than one, and gotten in too deep. He’d never been in love, but he’d been in lust. She’d burned him badly when she’d tried to steal top-secret data from him.

But on top of all of that, as he’d done his job, he’d watched people betray their friends, family, and country over and over again. He’d watched agents lie, steal, and kill. Hell, he’d lied, stolen, and killed.

He’d quickly learned that no one was who they seemed, and that everyone was out to get themselves something.

His jaw locked. It had been one of his own agents who’d sold him out to the enemy and gotten him tortured. Seth had considered Agent Roger Lawley a friend, until the fucker had sold Seth out for money.

Everyone had secrets, and with the right motivation, anyone could be turned.

Seth headed for the lab, stopping in the rec room to grab something to eat. Axel was already in there, and his friend paused to look him up and down.

“Why do you look so relaxed?”

“Took a nap.”

Axel looked suspicious. “You don’t look like you slept much.”

Seth wasn’t up for an interrogation. He opened the refrigerator and grabbed a protein shake. “We need to get to the lab.”

Axel lifted his chin, and Seth downed the shake. Together, they headed to the lab. The others were already there.

He glanced over and saw January, shoulder-to-shoulder with Ty, looking at the artifact on the bench. She was wearing black cargo pants and a black T-shirt. These fit her better than the shirt he’d torn off her, so he guessed that she’d borrowed something from Blair or Callie.

He got closer. “Hey.”

Her head jerked up and she looked at him. She lifted a hand and shot him a small smile. “Hi.”

Friendly and distant, like they were acquaintances. He frowned. He didn’t like it. At all. There wasn’t a single hint on her face that said she’d let him fuck her brains out and she’d enjoyed every second of it.

“We’ve been testing the artifact,” January said. “Ty had some brilliant ideas.”

“Because I am brilliant,” Ty said.

“He’s also very shy and extremely modest.” Blair rolled her eyes from where she sat on a stool. Beside her, Callie smiled and shook her head.

“Watch this,” Ty announced.

He pulled the cover off a box and Seth saw what looked like a fish tank. The glass box held a small layer of dirt that contained tiny plant seedlings.

With a gloved hand, Ty grabbed the jade sphere and set it into the tank.

“You think the sphere is a garden ornament?” Axel asked.

Ty scowled. “No.”

Suddenly, Seth saw movement in the tank. He moved closer, and watched the seedlings start to unfurl. He inhaled a sharp breath.

“Hell,” Axel muttered.

As they watched, the sprouts grew, rising up inches at a time.

“Hell.” Lachlan frowned, crossed his arms over his chest, and stared at the tank.

The vines grew and tangled around each other.

“Unreal,” Blair murmured.

Ty reached through the runners and pulled the sphere out. The tank was now packed with tangled vegetation.

Lachlan leaned a hip against the bench. “Tell us what’s going on here.”

“I ran a battery of tests while you guys were lazing around,” Ty said.

Seth’s gaze moved to January. Their eyes met, and he saw the faintest touch of color along her cheekbones.

“The sphere is emitting an electromagnetic field.”

“And that stimulates plant growth?” Lachlan asked.

Ty nodded. “There have been various studies into the effects of electromagnetic fields on plant growth, and the effects are positive. Seeds have a higher germination rate, plants grow taller, larger, and are healthier.”

“Oh, my God, I’ve tried something like this,” January said. “A colleague showed me how to set up a solar root stimulator. It had a small solar panel, and sent electrical stimulation to the plant roots.”

“Got a green thumb, James?” Seth asked.

Her nose wrinkled. “I keep trying to grow things, but they keep dying.”

“Brown thumb.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.

She licked her lips, which he felt in his cock, then turned away.

“Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy has been around for a while,” Ty added. “It’s used to increase the healing rate of certain types of bone fractures. It was mostly used in Russia and parts of Europe, and vets used it in the US to help heal broken bones in racehorses. FDA approved it for human use more recently. PEMF therapy was used by the Russians to help slow bone density loss suffered by cosmonauts. NASA’s poured money into the therapy as well, for not just bone, but tissue repair, as well.”

“So,” Lachlan said. “You think the Maya discovered that electromagnetism stimulated plant growth?”

“I think the Snake Kings discovered it,” a female voice said.

Seth turned to watch their archeologist enter. Dr. Natalie Blackwell wore a long, fitted skirt in fawn brown, and a navy-blue shirt with a faint pinstripe. The woman was always dressed to the nines. Her high heels tapped on the tile floor, and dark hair spilled around her shoulders.

“Nat.” A smile broke out on January’s face.

“God, January. I’m so glad to see you.”

The women hugged tightly, and Seth’s brows rose. He didn’t know they knew each other. He didn’t think they’d ever met on any of January’s trips to Area 52.

“We worked on some digs together,” January told everyone, before smiling back at Nat. “We both managed to survive Professor Horton.”

Nat wrinkled her nose. “That old coot. He was always looking down my shirt.”

“Mine too.” Then January’s face turned serious. “You think the Snake Kings discovered this tech?”

Nat nodded. “Likely. My guess is they stumbled on an earlier device and worked out how to use it.” Nat smiled at Ty. “Can I borrow a screen?”

Ty scowled. “I guess.”

“Gracious as always, Ty.” Nat grabbed a remote. Two images appeared. One was a perfect Mayan step pyramid. If Seth remembered correctly, it was from the famous site of Chichen Itza in Mexico. The other picture was a Mayan image of a snake with the head of a man, complete with elaborate headdress.

“This here is the Mayan snake deity called Kukulkan,” Nat said. “He was also known as the feathered serpent and his image is found all through Mesoamerican cultures. We don’t know everything about him, thanks to the Spanish conquistadors and Catholic priests destroying Mayan codices.” She pulled an unhappy face. “But he was the god of the wind, sky, and sun. Legends say he gave mankind learning, knowledge, and laws. We do know he predates the Maya, probably originating in the older, mysterious Olmec culture.”

“The main pyramid at Chichen Itza, El Castillo, is dedicated to Kukulkan.” January was staring at the image of the pyramid, then looked at Nat. “You think he’s linked to the Snake Kings?”

Nat nodded. “It fits. The cult of Kukulkan spread to Guatemala and they use a serpent as their emblem, and their friezes are filled with feathered serpents. The feathered serpent represented fertility and leadership.”

The lab was silent as they all absorbed the information.

“What’s Kukulkan got to do with the spheres?” Seth asked.

Nat swiveled on her heel. “What I know about Kukulkan is limited, but he was known as Quetzalcoatl to the Aztecs. We know much more about Quetzalcoatl.” More images appeared on the screen. These were Aztec, showing different depictions of the god. “The god of wind and wisdom.”

Seth felt the tension in the room. Nat was working up to something.

“When Cortes and the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, there were stories that said the Aztecs welcomed him as the returning Quetzalcoatl. Not all historians believe the accounts, thinking the Spanish embellished this as propaganda.”

“Why would the Aztecs think a European was their god?” Lachlan asked.

January stepped forward. “Some depictions show Quetzalcoatl as a bearded man.”

“January’s correct,” Nat said. “And there are similar accounts from when Pizzaro arrived in South America. The Inca believed he was their god Viracocha. A similar deity to Quetzalcoatl and Kukulkan in terms that he controlled storms, and brought the Inca knowledge and taught them about agriculture, mathematics, medicine, astronomy. Viracocha was described as a paler-skinned, bearded man who wore a robe.”

“Shit,” Seth muttered. “So you’re saying that both Mesoamerica and South America had legends about a god who arrived and shared knowledge with them.”

Nat waggled her eyebrows. “The conspiracy theorists say he was an alien.”

The room erupted in snorts.

“You think he was a survivor from the floods,” January said. “From a more advanced civilization.”

Nat’s dark hair slid over her shoulder as she nodded. “I suspect it wasn’t just one man, but a few, and over time, the legends grew up around them. They likely had knowledge and brought certain pieces of tech with them.”

“Like the spheres,” Seth said.

“Like the spheres,” Nat confirmed.

“And the Snake Kings found them, and discovered how to use them,” January added. “It would explain their rise to power, seemingly out of nowhere. From what we’re discovering, their agriculture was very advanced.”

Nat nodded. “And their people were taller, healthier. Or their elite, at least.”

January sucked in a breath. “You think the spheres had an effect on the people, as well?”

“From the mummies that have been uncovered, the Snake King rulers were taller and stronger. We don’t have enough to confirm, but I think the theory holds merit.”

January nodded. “Jade was usually reserved for the elite classes, so it makes sense that royalty was exposed to the spheres most frequently.”

Lachlan frowned. “Could the sphere be harmful to us?”

“I don’t think so,” Ty said. “But I don’t fully understand it yet. I need to keep running tests.”

“So,” Seth said. “That brings us to our next question. What do the Knights of Gaia want to do with it?”

“Accelerate plant growth,” January said. “They must have a plan.”

A tense silence filled the room. The Knights could wreak a lot of havoc in a lot of different ways with the sphere they had.

Lachlan turned to Brooks. “Any luck tracking these fuckers down?”

Brooks shook his head. “They’re damn ghosts. I did manage to track the plane they used to travel back to the US. They landed in Los Angeles. I’m trying to see if they moved on from there, or if they have a cell in L.A.”

“How did they know about the artifacts?” Seth interrupted.

January swiveled. “What?”

“How did they know you had them? How did they know to bring the plane down?”

Her face tightened. “I don’t know. We’re only just discovering what they do. How does a group of ecoterrorists know what these spheres can do just as we discover them?”

“Shit,” Lachlan said. “Good question.”

“January,” Seth said. “Who knew you were up on that flight?”

“My entire team. It wasn’t a secret.”

“And who knew you were carrying the artifacts?”

“Fewer people had that information, but it was no secret that we’d found the spheres. Still, none of my team knew that they were potentially powerful, ancient technology. They just knew that they were valuable.” She scowled. “My team are hard workers and dedicated to their work. They wouldn’t sell me out.”

“Someone sold you out.”

Seth could see she didn’t like that idea at all.

“The Knights of Gaia had prior knowledge.” Nat tapped a fingernail against her lips. “It’s the only explanation. I’ll see if I can find any references to the spheres anywhere.”

There was a pause as everyone looked around. Seth watched as January looked at everyone but him. It should make him happy, but instead it was pissing him off. She’d been naked in his arms for the last few hours, she could at least look at him.

Brooks straightened and touched his ear. “Dr. James, there’s a message for you.”

“A message?” she asked with a frown.

“Someone called your home phone in San Francisco, and I’ve had your calls re-routed to my system.”

“Who called?” she asked.

“A Dr. Joshua Andelman.”

Seth straightened. “Dr. Douchebag.”

His teammates swiveled to look at him, all looking amused.

“He left a message for January,” Brooks said.

January shrugged a shoulder. “I’ve no idea what he wants to talk to me about.”

Brooks cleared his throat. “He said he wants to talk to you about the artifacts.”

CHAPTER TEN

January sat in a seat on the plane to Las Vegas—this time a sleek jet—staring out the window.

Josh’s message was replaying in her head.

January, I ah…I need to see you. It’s about… God, I’m… Shit. Look, I can’t talk over the phone. It’s about the artifacts. Meet me at Las Vegas McCarran Airport, Terminal 3, near Gate E3. There’s a Starbucks close by. Please, January. I need to see you.

He’d sounded worried and scared. The man was self-absorbed and the king of blustering, so she’d never heard fear in his voice before.

“I still think this is a bad idea.”

Seth didn’t sound happy. She looked over at him. All of Team 52 was seated in the rows around her. Blair was kicked back with her legs stretched out in front of her. Smith was sitting beside her, with a cap pulled low over his face. He appeared to be napping, but the coiled strength of his body said he was awake and alert.

Lachlan and Axel were playing cards. Callie was cleaning a weapon. For a moment, January was bemused that such a lean, pretty woman could look so dangerous.

Seth was sitting beside January and scowling. He’d been edgy from the moment they’d boarded the plane.

Just looking at him caused a shiver deep in January’s belly. When she wasn’t thinking about Josh’s message, she was remembering Seth’s mouth and hands on her. His cock inside her.

Another shiver. Oh, God. She had some small bruises on her hips in the shape of his fingerprints. And he’d been right. She’d feel him in some very intimate places for a while.

Their eyes met. Yeah, he didn’t look happy.

He hadn’t looked happy the moment he’d stepped into Ty’s lab. Yes, she’d snuck out of his bed, mostly because she’d woken up wrapped around him and she’d liked it—a lot. It had started to freak her out, and so she’d quietly slipped away.

She cleared her throat. “If Josh knows something about the artifacts—”

“What could he know? Unless he’s involved.”

January laughed, but it sounded unnatural, even to her ears. “Josh is way too focused on himself to be involved in something like this. He lives for his career. Besides, he’s unaware of the artifact’s abilities. Maybe someone contacted him? For all his faults, and he has plenty, he’s still a decent archeologist.”

Lachlan set his cards down. “Let’s go over the plan again. January, we head into Terminal 3 and you go to the meeting point. The team and I will blend into the crowd.”

She couldn’t imagine any of these people blending in anywhere, but she nodded.

“You meet with Andelman and find out what he has to say. After, we’ll rendezvous with you and leave.”

She nodded.

“You don’t let him convince you to leave or go somewhere else.”

She nodded again.

“In. Out. Done,” Seth said.

“Yes, Dad,” she muttered.

She saw a flash in his pale-blue eyes. God, she’d slept with Seth Lynch. And she’d loved it. Heat flickered over her skin. Okay, so there hadn’t been much sleeping involved.

She tugged on the neckline of her T-shirt. Focus, January.

Finally, they came in to land, and the plane pulled to a stop. She followed Seth and the others off and down the steps.

At the bottom, Seth spun around. “Here.” He held up a hand. On the end of one long finger, was a small micro-dot.

“Communicator. I’ll put it in your ear. It’ll keep you in contact with us.”

“Will I be plugged into the team forever?”

“Nope. It’s removeable. You can take it out after the mission.”

He gently pushed her hair aside, and January tilted her head. His fingers brushed her ear.

“I’m pissed you snuck out this morning,” he said quietly.

January glanced at the others. They weren’t paying any attention.

“I was just trying to keep things easy.”

His gaze met hers. “I look like a man who likes easy?”

January shivered again. No, he did not. “Seth—”

“Hi, January, this is Brooks.”

Brooks’ deep voice in her ear made her jerk. “Uh, hi, Brooks.”

“I’m just testing your earpiece. You can touch it to open a line direct to me.”

“Can everyone hear me?” she asked.

“Nope, just me unless I patch you through. I’m the master of the comms.”

Seth stepped back, and Lachlan turned to look at them. “Let’s get to Terminal 3.”

January spotted Kinsey striding toward them out of an ugly, squat-looking building. The sunlight glinted off her hair, and she gave them a jaunty wave. A large, black SUV was parked nearby.

Moments later, January and the team were striding into the terminal. They bypassed security, flashing some sort of ID at a bored-looking woman sitting on a stool. This was handy, since January knew all of Team 52 were armed under their casual clothes.

“In and out,” Seth murmured.

He didn’t touch her, probably in case someone was watching. She gave a tiny nod and watched him turn and blend into the crowd.

January pulled in a breath and glanced at the signs. She turned and headed down the concourse toward Gate E3. People around her moved in a steady flow—some dawdling, others walking at a fast pace, a few dragging tired, reluctant kids along with them, others in suits and holding briefcases. She spent a fair bit of time in airports, and loved the variety of people that could be seen there.

She spotted the Starbucks and glanced at gate E3. She scanned the area, looking for Josh.

No sign of him. She turned slowly, looking for Seth and the others. No sign of them, either. Damn, they were good.

She wandered around, trying not to walk too fast. She stopped at the Starbucks and grabbed a white-chocolate mocha. She sipped her coffee and almost moaned aloud. She’d missed fancy coffee when she was in the jungle.

Overhead, a woman’s smooth voice made a flight announcement, and a crowd of teenagers pushed past January, clearly on some school trip. She strolled past the row of slot machines, and shook her head at the loud dinging sounds and annoying music. Only in Las Vegas.

She leaned against a support post, sipped her coffee, and looked out the large windows, watching as a plane was pushed back.

“January.”

She turned.

Josh looked terrible. His hair, usually groomed within an inch of its life, even in the jungle, was a mess. It looked like he’d been running his fingers through it repeatedly. His clothes were creased, and he was sporting a black eye.

“Josh, what the hell happened to you?”

He moved forward, his walk twitchy, and he glanced around nervously. “Look, you need to come with me.”

Her pulse kicked. “Tell me what’s going on. I’m sorry about bailing on you and the others back in Guatemala after the attack—”

He waved a hand. “The Guatemalan military took care of us.”

“And the others are okay?”

Josh looked harried and annoyed. “They’re fine. Look, I have things to tell you.” He wrapped his hand around her bicep, and dragged her behind the slot machines. Her coffee slipped from her hand, spilling on the floor.

January stumbled. “Josh, stop! Tell me what’s going on.”

“I never meant for things to get so messed up.”

Her blood chilled. He sounded desperate and terrified.

She yanked her arm away. “Tell me what’s going on, Josh.”

His jaw tightened. “I didn’t want it to be like this.”

He grabbed her again and yanked her so hard, she hit his chest. She opened her mouth to blast him, but was distracted by a sharp, stinging sensation in the side of her neck.

“What the hell?” she bit out. She pulled away from him.

“Sorry, January.” His face looked ravaged. “I never wanted you dead.”

Pissed off, she swung at him, but suddenly her moves were sloppy and uncoordinated. Her fist missed him by a mile. Her vision started to fade, and her muscles went lax.

She collapsed, and Josh caught her. She tried to scream, but no sound came out.

His mouth was moving, but she couldn’t hear him anymore. Then everything went black.

SETH DIDN’T LIKE THIS. Not one fucking bit.

Josh Andelman was a douchebag who couldn’t be trusted. The guy set all kinds of alarm bells screaming in Seth.

He sat at a table, flicking through a newspaper and pretending to read it. He watched Dr. Douche approach January. Then suddenly, he yanked her behind some slot machines.

Seth forced himself not to leap up, charge in, and possibly screw things up. “Brooks?”

“They’re talking.” Then Brooks cursed. “He just told her that he never meant for things to get so messed up.”

Shit. Seth pushed his chair back and stood. “Lachlan?”

“Moving in,” Lachlan said.

Seth strode straight toward the slot machines, their cheery tune setting his teeth on edge. He glanced at Smith, powering in from the other direction.

Seth still couldn’t see January. He spotted the spilled coffee on the tiles. “Brooks!”

“Shit,” Brooks burst out. “Andelman just did something to her. Said he never wanted her dead.”

Seth broke into a sprint. He circled the slot machines. There was no sign of January, or Andelman. Seth’s pulse jumped like crazy.

“Don’t see her,” Smith growled.

Seth spotted Lachlan, Blair, and Axel closing in.

Where the hell had Andelman and January gone? Seth spun in a circle, scanning the shops, cafés, and the crowd.

“I’m following her tracker,” Brooks said.

Seth knew the small earpiece he’d given her had a tracker implanted in it. The only problem was that it didn’t have a huge range. “Where is she?”

“Heading east.”

East. Seth strode that way and his gaze fell on a door built flush into the wall. It had “Airport Staff Only” written on it. The door was ajar.

He slapped his palm to the door and shoved it open. His team fell in behind him.

The door led into a narrow corridor that ran along the concourse. A cleaning cart was parked nearby.

There was no one around.

Lachlan touched his ear. “Brooks, talk to me.”

“Head south.”

Seth swiveled and broke into a jog. Their boots were squeaky on the polished floor, and up ahead, the corridor split. He looked in one direction and saw nothing. He looked the other way, and caught a glimpse of a man as he turned a corner…with a limp woman draped over his shoulder.

Seth growled and broke into a sprint. The man had a head start, but he was carrying dead weight.

The word dead made his gut coil. She better not be hurt.

“Keep your cool, Lynch,” Lachlan said.

“We’re with you,” Blair added. “And we’re getting her back.”

An alarm started blaring.

“Brooks?” Lachlan asked.

“Hang on…yep, someone’s gone through an external door out of the terminal.”

Seth rounded the corner and skidded to a stop. There was no sign of Andelman or January. Seth’s chest hitched. Shit.

There. A set of double doors. He shoved the locking bar and barged outside.

Hell. It was the front of the terminal, and in front of him were several lanes of busy traffic. Cars, taxis, and shuttle buses were pulling up and leaving, dropping off some passengers and picking up others.

Beyond that, there sat a parking garage, several stories high.

“They’re heading toward the parking garage,” Brooks said.

Seth broke into a run, scanning the busy chaos.

“There!” Blair pointed.

Seth’s gaze zeroed in on Andelman across the lanes. He was now holding January in his arms, and her head lolled, her brown hair falling loose. Andelman disappeared into the parking garage.

She had better not be dead.

The thought made Seth’s gut tighten. He started running, barreling through the crowd on the sidewalk.

“Seth.” Lachlan fell into step right behind him. “Slow down.”

“Fuck that. He’s got her.”

Seth raced across the traffic lanes. Horns honked and tires screeched. Seth leaped out of the way of one SUV, narrowly avoiding being hit.

Suddenly, another car screeched to a halt in front of him, missing him by an inch. Seth jerked to a stop. The driver honked.

Ignoring the driver, Seth pressed a palm to the hood and leaped over it. He kept running.

Seth raced inside the parking garage and stopped, sucking in a breath. He’d lost sight of Andelman. Fuck. He could be on any level.

Swiveling, Seth searched the rows of cars. “Brooks, I can’t see them.”

“Thirty feet away from you. Northeast.”

Seth turned, striding forward. “Can you tell if he went up a level?”

“No, but it doesn’t look like he did.”

At that moment, a blue sedan, clearly a rental, screeched out of a parking space. It sped past him, and Seth dived to avoid being hit. He rolled, came up on one knee, and smoothly pulled his SIG. He fired on the car, aiming for the tires.

More gunfire joined his, and he saw his team advancing, all of them with their weapons raised.

The car tore out of the garage and onto the road.

“Fuck.” Seth kicked the tire of a parked car.

“Smith,” Lachlan said. “SUV.”

Seth looked up and saw Smith sprinting away.

“We’ve got a tracker on her.” Lachlan was watching Seth. “We’ll get her back.”

They would. Seth wouldn’t stop until she was safe. And he was going to take great pleasure in slamming his fist into Dr. Douchebag’s square jaw.

A moment later, their SUV jerked to a halt in front of them. The team leaped in, and Seth climbed into the passenger seat.

“Go, go.”

Smith accelerated, and they screeched out of the garage.

“I’m putting up the map with the tracker location on it.” Brooks’ voice came through the SUV’s console. The screen in the center of the dash flashed, Seth stared at the map of Las Vegas, and the glowing, blue dot that indicated January’s location.

They sped through the traffic and onto the main road. They couldn’t fall too far behind, or they’d lose her signal.

“Faster, Smith,” Seth said.

The big man turned his head, smiled, and nodded. Then he put his foot down.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

January came awake with a start, propped up in the passenger seat of a car.

What the hell?

She felt groggy and her head was throbbing. She tried to work out what was going on. She turned her head and saw Josh in the driver’s seat.

Shit. She straightened. Now she remembered. “You asshole!”

His hands flexed on the wheel. He was holding it in a death grip.

“What did you do to me? What the hell is going on, Josh?”

He stared straight ahead, sweat beading on his forehead. “I never meant for this to happen.”

She huffed out a breath. Seth and the others were going to be pissed with a capital P. She looked out the window. Sand and rock, with sparse vegetation told her they were heading out of Vegas and into the desert.

“Tell me what’s going on.” She tried to keep her voice calm and rational.

“Where’s the artifact, January?”

Her stomach curdled. “What?”

“They got one and they want the other. Where is it?”

“You sold us out.” Her voice was a harsh whisper. “Sold me out. I almost died.” She leaned over and slapped him.

Josh jerked his head and his jaw tightened. “I didn’t know! I’m in too deep now.”

“With the Knights of Gaia?”

His eyes widened. “You know.”

“I know you’re a damn idiot. They’re dangerous, Josh.”

“I know. Now.” He flicked on the indicator and turned onto a smaller road.

“Why?” she demanded. “Why sell out our dig, your work, your career?”

“I had a chance for my own TV show, January.” His eyes lit up. “Dr. Andelman’s Archeological Adventures.” He grinned. “They told me I’d be famous, a modern-day Indiana Jones.”

Idiot. “You sold out your career to be on TV?”

“To be famous. To share history with the world.”

January was certain he’d practiced that line to help convince himself. She knew this wasn’t about history, it was about him and getting what he wanted.

“How did they contact you?”

“Email. They knew we’d found the jade spheres.”

“How?”

“Um…I may have told a few people.”

Big fucking idiot. Calling colleagues and bragging.

“They told me they had some document of Mayan origin and knew about the spheres.”

January pushed her hair back. Hmm, that was new. “And you sold the spheres out, all for a chance at fame? They almost killed me!” Her voice rose to a shout.

He winced and turned the car again, this time onto a dirt road. They were in the middle of the desert. There wasn’t a single building, road, or vehicle in sight.

“I never meant for this to happen.” He pulled the car to a stop and thrust his hands through his hair. “They have me over a barrel now.”

“They’re blackmailing you.”

He nodded. “I’m sorry, January. Where’s the artifact?”

“Where you’ll never get it.” She shot him a smug smile. “It’s locked up in a top-secret military base.”

Josh’s face blanched. “No.” He pushed the door open and staggered out of the car.

January opened her door and got out, watching him. “No, what, Josh?”

He shook his head, looking sick. “They wanted it. Told me I had to get it for them.”

She threw her hands in the air. “You’ve successfully proved that you aren’t half asshole, you’re one-hundred-percent certified asshole.”

He circled the car, leaned into the passenger side, and reached in to the glove compartment. When he straightened, she saw the handgun.

She stiffened and her mouth went dry.

“They don’t want you alive.” His hand was shaking, and beads of sweat rolled down his temple.

January was beyond pissed now. She thrust her hands on her hips. “Oh, my God, you are so far beyond asshole it isn’t funny. You’re also a coward. And crap in bed.”

His head jerked up, his face tightening. He lifted the gun.

She shook her head. “You don’t have the balls.”

“January.” Brooks’ crackly voice echoed in her ear. She barely controlled a surprised jolt.

“Quit baiting him and hang tight. The team is on the way.”

“I just wanted what I deserved,” Josh whispered.

“Jesus, no one is entitled to anything in this world, Josh. You earn it. And if you don’t like what you have, you work harder and smarter.”

He aimed the gun at her chest. “I can’t go back now.”

Screw this. Anger fueling her, she charged him.

She bent over, her head hitting his stomach. They stumbled back, and the gun went off. She paused for a second and gave her head a quick shake. Damn, that was loud.

Then, she pulled her arm back and punched Josh in the face. He gave a shout and she cradled her fist. Hell, that hurt.

“Dammit,” Josh bit out.

“You’re scum.” She kicked his leg. She heard Brooks’ frantic words, but couldn’t process them.

Josh lurched sideways, and swung out clumsily with one arm. She dodged his swing easily, and charged him again. She careened into him and they both lost their balance. They smashed into the ground.

The gun went off again and Josh dropped it into the dirt.

January scrambled up, and kneed him between the legs. Josh let out a sharp cry, and she darted over him to grab the gun. Her fingers closed on the butt, but Josh’s hand clamped onto her wrist. She gritted her teeth, fighting to push the gun in his direction.

“January—”

“You’re a selfish coward. I can’t believe I ever let you touch me.”

She decided that even though she knew it was going to hurt, she wanted to punch him again. She lifted her left hand and hit his face. His lip split.

He grunted. Then he reared up and tipped her off him. She ended up flat on her back in the dirt, with Josh on top of her. Shit, he was a hell of a lot heavier than her.

He shifted, forcing the gun back in her direction. Dammit. She gritted her teeth and strained. She didn’t want to die here in the dirt with this asshole.

Then, all of a sudden, Josh was jerked off her, and went flying.

Startled, January looked up into Seth’s seriously pissed-off face.

He scanned her once, then turned, and advanced on Josh.

HIS RAGE WAS MOLTEN HOT.

Seth reached down, gripped the front of Dr. Douchebag’s shirt, and dragged him up.

The man looked at Seth, eyes widening. “You.”

“Me.” Seth landed a hard punch directly to Andelman’s gut.

The man doubled over and groaned. Seth shifted, and aimed a jab at the archeologist’s kidney. Andelman arched his back and let out a pained shout.

The desperate man lifted his head, taking in the rest of the team standing around watching.

Callie moved over to January and helped her up.

“You were going to shoot her.” Seth’s voice was low and lethal. “And leave her here to bleed out in the dirt.”

Seth’s tone registered and Andelman’s face blanched. He swallowed audibly. “I…I…”

Seth landed a punch to the man’s other kidney and Andelman howled.

“I never meant for things to get this out of control—”

Another punch to the gut and the man dropped to his knees.

“Seth.” Lachlan’s tone held a warning.

Sensing allies, Andelman looked up. “Help me. Stop him!”

Seth hit him again with a punch to his jaw. Andelman’s head snapped back

“You had her pinned down, ready to kill her.”

“She was fighting me!”

“I beat you up because you were trying to kill me!” January surged forward, but Callie managed to hold her back.

Seth got a good look at January. She was covered in dust and there was blood on her shirt.

“He sold us out to the Knights of Gaia,” January spat. “He told them about the artifacts, and helped them.”

“Fucker,” Smith muttered.

Andelman licked his lips. “I… I…”

“Get this.” January cocked a hip. “They promised him his own TV show.”

Seth shook his head. His team muttered darkly in the background.

Andelman held up his hands. “They told me they had people in Los Angeles—”

“L.A?” Seth crouched. “That where your contact is?”

The man nodded.

Seth looked up at Lachlan and they traded a glance.

“Name?” Seth demanded.

“It was via email. I don’t have a name, just an email address.”

Seth tried to rein in his anger. He kept picturing January struggling in the dirt, fighting for her life.

For good measure, Seth hit Andelman in the face again.

“Stop hitting me.” Andelman looked at Lachlan and the others. “Stop him. You guys are cops or something, right?”

“Or something,” Lachlan answered.

Blair crossed her arms over her chest. “No one’s going to stop him.” She glanced at Seth. “I’ll happily hold your coat while you kick his ass.”

“I’m not wearing a coat,” Seth said.

Blair smiled. “Then carry on.”

Andelman whimpered.

“Stop.” January pushed forward.

She had a faint limp, which pissed Seth off. “January—”

She held up a hand. “Not that I don’t like watching you beat the crap out of him, but—” she turned and slapped Andelman in the face. He fell back on the ground curling into the fetal position “—I want to do it.” She reared her foot back to kick him.

Seth wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her off her feet.

She struggled. “Let me go.”

“I think he’s had enough, hellcat.” Seth watched Lachlan step forward, some zip ties in hand.

January was still vibrating with anger, and what Seth guessed was some shock.

She scowled at him. “So, you get to beat him up, but I can’t?”

“You’re okay now.” Seth ran a hand over her hair. “Any of that blood yours?”

She sniffed. “No. I’m fine.”

“Good.” And then, because he needed her more than anything else, he spun her around, bent her back over his arm, and kissed her.

She fought for a second, then sagged against him and kissed him back. Her arms reached up and wrapped around his neck.

“Wait,” Axel said. “I thought you two seriously hated each other.”

Seth pulled back and cupped January’s jaw. He was so damn glad that she was okay. She leaned into him.

Lachlan made an amused sound, jerking Andelman to his feet. Smith was studying the ground and shaking his head. Blair was grinning like crazy.

Callie smiled. “There’s a fine line between love and hate, Axel.”

“And we still don’t like each other,” January said.

“That’s true,” Seth added.

“He drives me crazy.”

“And she works my last nerve.”

She cocked her hip. “You weren’t complaining back in your room at the base. Or in your bed, or on the desk, or in the shower.”

Callie laughed, Smith muttered a curse, and Axel waggled his eyebrows.

“Damn, I love this.” Blair turned to the others. “Bets.”

“Bets?” Seth frowned. “On what?”

“On how long before you go down, just like Hunter did.”

A small smile tipped Lachlan’s lips. The man didn’t look like he was that upset about being taken down by his woman, Rowan. In fact, from what Seth could tell, his friend loved it.

“I don’t do relationships,” Seth said.

“Me, either.” Suddenly, January’s face turned white.

Seth frowned. “January?”

She staggered, and Seth scooped her off her feet.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Just feeling a bit shaky.” She didn’t look happy admitting it.

Callie appeared, gripping January’s wrist. “She needs rest and fluids. And a shower to clean off her scrapes.”

“Smith and I will take our friend here to the Bunker.” Lachlan shoved Andelman ahead of him, his golden gaze skewering the man. “And you’re going to tell me everything you know about the Knights of Gaia, and give our tech man full access to your emails.”

Andelman looked like he was ready to wet his pants. He nodded.

All Seth wanted was January resting in a bed. Preferably in his bed.

“Let’s move.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

January sat quietly as Seth pulled the SUV up to a gate. They were in an industrial area near the airport. They’d dropped the rest of the team off—Lachlan, Smith, and Josh at the Bunker, and the rest of them at their apartments.

The gate swung open, and she realized he must have some sort of remote device in the vehicle. They drove up a short sweep of driveway, and pulled up in front of a small aircraft hangar. Lights clicked on automatically.

“This is where you live?” she asked.

“I don’t like being surrounded by people.”

Hardly a surprise. “But planes are okay?”

He smiled at her. “Yeah.”

They exited the car, and with a hand at the small of her back, Seth led her up to the small door nestled in the wall beside the massive hangar doors. She watched him punch a code into a pin pad.

January felt drained, and was riding the edge of an adrenaline crash. Seth pushed the door open and urged her inside.

Her footsteps echoed and she got the sense of space. More lights clicked on.

January stopped for a moment to take it all in. The floor was scarred concrete, and a loft area hung above. She gasped. A sleek plane was parked off to one side of the hangar. She wandered closer. The word “Experimental” was stamped above the doors of the plane.

“I put it together myself.”

She spun to face him. “You built it? With your own hands?”

“Yeah.” Another faint smile. “Flies like a dream.”

“There is no way I’d get in an aircraft that I made myself.” January turned, her gaze falling on the car. “Wow. A Shelby Cobra.” It was dark-blue, and in mint condition.

“I restored her.”

“I would never have pegged you as a grease monkey.” She ran a hand over the Cobra’s hood.

“You like cars?”

“My uncle had a 1969 Chevy Camaro when I was younger. He used to drive me to school in it. He always wanted a Cobra, though.”

“You lived with your aunt and uncle?”

“Yeah. My mom died when I was fourteen.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. What about your dad?”

She shook her head. “Never knew him. He got my mom pregnant and took off. You have parents, Lynch? Or did you hatch from an egg, gun in hand?”

He chuckled softly. “I have parents. They live on a farm in Idaho.”

She blinked. “Your parents are farmers?” Badass, worldly, former CIA agent Seth Lynch came from small-town farming stock? She couldn’t believe it.

“Yes. I rebuilt tractor engines before cars and planes.”

He grabbed her hand and led her toward the set of black-iron stairs leading up to the loft area.

They stepped into the living space, and she couldn’t help but gasp. The place was gorgeous, all sleek, modern lines. The floor was polished concrete, and there was a comfy-looking, tan suede sectional in front of one wall that held a large television on it. On the other side of the room was a long kitchen with dark, glossy cabinets and lots of stainless steel.

There was a doorway, which she assumed led to the bedroom, but her gaze was drawn to the back wall. It was dominated by huge, arched windows, and beyond them she could see a balcony. Seth had a killer view. Right outside lay the airport, with its tangle of runways. Beyond that was the glitz and multi-colored sparkle of The Strip.

She walked deeper into the room. “I love your place, Seth.”

“Thanks.”

Turning, she saw his wall of framed photographs and stopped. Wow. The pictures were amazing, and all in dramatic black and white. There was a close-up shot of the fountain at the Bellagio. An awesome shot of the Strip with its casinos, billboards, and palm trees. A few pictures she knew were the Grand Canyon—stark and beautiful. An interesting one of Hoover Dam. And another that was a shot of the desert and a lone dirt road leading to nowhere.

They were all haunting without a single person in them.

“Do you like them?” Seth asked.

She flicked her gaze to him, detecting something in his voice. “You took these?”

He lifted a shoulder. “I do a little photography in my very rare spare time.”

He’d taken these lonely, evocative images. She swallowed. For some strange reason, she felt like she was looking into his soul.

“They’re gorgeous, Seth.”

His lips quirked. “Thanks.”

“Do you ever photograph people?”

“No. I don’t find them an interesting subject.” He turned. “Now, first thing is for you to take a shower.”

She turned to him and moaned gratefully. She really wanted to wash off the dust of the desert, and Josh’s stink. It struck her that Seth had moved closer and his gaze was on her lips.

She opened her mouth to say something, but then he shook his head, and turned and nudged her toward the doorway.

She’d been right, it was his bedroom. The décor here was also sleek and modern. The polished concrete continued, and the walls were a soft, blue-gray. The bed was made of a pale wood, and sat low to the ground. It was covered in a black comforter.

On the wall behind the bed was another large, framed photograph. Again, it was black and white, and showed the desert. There were mountains in the distance and one lone tree—a Joshua tree—in the foreground.

“The bathroom’s through there.” Seth nodded through an open doorway. “Take your time, and grab something from my closet to wear. Kinsey’s going to organize clothes for you in the morning.”

January nodded. It had been a really long time since she’d let anyone take care of her. It felt nice. “Thanks.”

He smiled. “Going soft on me, James?”

She shot him the finger.

His laugh followed him out as he left.

January stepped into the bathroom. It matched the rest of his place—concrete tiles, warm, wooden vanity, huge, glass-enclosed shower with dual showerheads, and a modern, freestanding tub off to the side.

She really wanted to soak in the tub, but she didn’t think she could relax right now.

Instead, she stripped off and stepped into the shower. She was covered in small bruises and scratches. There was one really nasty bruise on her hip. Josh was truly a douchebag.

She sighed. The scrapes weren’t bad—she’d had worse on plenty of her digs. She let the water flow over her and wash away the grime.

Finally, January shut off the water and grabbed a fluffy, gray towel and dried off. She left her hair out to dry naturally.

Back in the bedroom, she raided Seth’s closet. She slid the door open and lights clicked on. She blinked. It was ruthlessly organized. Her own closet was jammed full of half-folded clothes, and things slipping off hangers. Her closet did not look like Seth’s. She glanced guiltily at the dirty clothes she’d left on the floor in the bathroom. January dashed back into the bathroom, and picked up the garments. Unsure where she should put them, she draped them carefully over the edge of the tub. Then she headed back to Seth’s closet.

She grabbed a soft T-shirt and pulled it over her head. It didn’t quite reach her knees, but it covered the necessities.

She headed back into the living space and spotted Seth in the kitchen. “You cook?”

His head snapped up. He’d changed while she’d showered, and the sight of him made her mouth go dry. Seth Lynch in jeans that cupped his assets was something to behold. God.

Her gaze traveled upward. He was also wearing a black T-shirt that clung in all the right places.

“I can cook three things well. Eggs, burgers, and I can grill a mean steak.”

She smiled, forcing her attention back to the food. “Well, you’re three meals ahead of me. I went through this cooking phase, even took some classes.” She shook her head. “Let’s just say it wasn’t a success.”

“A brown thumb and a failed chef.”

She saw that he’d made burger patties, and had fixings and rolls set out. “I made a promise to myself to try everything and see what I like. And what I’m good at.” She groaned. “Don’t ask me about the time I took up painting.”

He smiled and shook his head.

“I’m thinking that next I’ll buy a house that needs renovating. I want to learn to use power tools.”

He shook his head again. “Anything you can’t do?”

“Nope. I want it all.” And one day, she wanted a family of her own to fill the house. Kids, noise, and laughter. She wanted to read her daughters beautiful books on Egypt. Maybe even a book written by herself on the Maya and the Snake Kings.

Seth’s face turned serious. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I want to have another go at punching Josh.”

“Get in line.” There was a dark edge to Seth’s voice.

January pulled herself up on one of the stools at the glossy island. It also had a polished concrete top. “I really love your place.”

“You mentioned that.”

She heard the rumble of engines and looked out the window to see a plane taking off. The noise was very muted, so Seth had to have some grade-A soundproofing.

A phone started ringing, and she watched him snatch up his cell.

“Hey, Lachlan. Yeah, she’s fine.” A pause. “Yes. You know my security is even better than yours.” Seth moved over to a cupboard and opened the doors. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up with the paranoid-CIA-agent jokes.”

She expected to see a pantry behind the doors, but instead of shelving and dry goods, there were several high-tech computer screens. She realized they were showing security feed from cameras outside. She identified the front fence, the gate, and the perimeter of the hangar.

“So back to base first thing tomorrow? Got it. See you at the Bunker in the morning.” Seth ended the call and tossed his phone on the counter. “That was Lachlan checking in.”

“It looks like you have better security than most museums…or banks.”

He shrugged.

“You aren’t very trusting, are you Seth?”

“No. I’ve seen the shit people do to each other.”

She’d seen it too, up close and personal. But she’d had therapy to get through it and move on. And she’d also seen the good, kind things people did for each other. She saw the generous love her aunt, uncle, and cousins shared with her, the camaraderie with her colleagues, the shining interest on the faces of her students.

But Seth had clearly seen too much to still be a simple farm boy from Idaho.

“I just can’t believe what Josh did,” she said. “What a coward.”

“He’s weak,” Seth said.

A shiver ran through January. Coward or not, he’d almost killed her.

“Hey.” Seth appeared in front of her and gripped her arms. “You’re okay. You were magnificent today.”

“I was angry and scared.”

“You made it, January. You’re alive.”

This close, she smelled the clean heat of him, tinged with male spice. She hadn’t realized that she’d been feeling so cold until she felt his warmth.

“Show me,” she murmured.

His face turned wary. “January—”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her breasts to his chest. “Prove to me that I’m alive, Seth.” She scratched her nails over the skin at the back of his neck. “I want you.”

For a second, she thought he was going to push her away. But with a groan, his arms tightened around her.

“You’ve been through a—”

“Not that again. You can stow the noble thoughts, 007. You’ve already fucked me so many times that I can still feel you. Don’t be shy now.”

He huffed out a breath. “You drive me crazy.”

“I know. I like it.”

He lifted her onto the counter and she gasped. He pushed her down until her back met the counter’s cool surface. She watched heat ignite in his eyes.

January shivered. It looked like she’d awakened the beast. He shoved her shirt up, baring her. Then he pushed her legs apart roughly.

“Can anyone see in your windows?” she asked, voice husky.

“I don’t care.” He lowered his head. “Don’t care if they watch me feast on you.”

Her belly spasmed, and she watched as his dark head moved between her legs. Then he licked her. Oh, God. She cried out. Then he set to work.

He used his mouth and tongue until she was rocking against him. He held her tight as that wicked tongue of his worked her.

“Come, January,” he growled against her skin. “Let me taste it.”

He kept licking and she jerked. “Oh, God, Seth.”

He sucked her clit and she came. Her legs were shaking, pleasure tearing her apart.

She was still dazed when he yanked her up and pulled her to the edge of the counter. She saw him frantically opening his jeans and her pulse went haywire.

“Yes,” she murmured, clutching his arms.

He pressed closer, and she wrapped her legs around his hips. A second later, he thrust inside her.

“Oh—” January gripped the counter.

“Hold on, hellcat.” He started thrusting. “This is going to be rough and hard.”

She made a choked sound of pleasure.

“Got no finesse left, January. I want to know you’re alive, too. Feel that tight body of yours wrapped around my cock.”

His words rocketed through her and she held on, pleasure pouring through every nerve in her body.

“I’m here,” she breathed. “Whole and breathing. With this fantastic orgasm threatening.”

He didn’t laugh, but his face got intense, his blue eyes glittering.

“I felt every minute that asshole had you.” Seth’s thrusts increased in power. “I felt every minute you were gone, not knowing what I’d find when I reached you.”

“I’m right here, baby.”

He reached down between their bodies and thumbed her clit. January’s orgasm blindsided her. She tossed her head back and arched her spine. She held on for dear life as the release hit her hard. Her vision blurred and she screamed his name.

He cursed. “You’re squeezing my cock so hard.”

After a few more thrusts, Seth’s rhythm broke. Then he gave a shout as he thrust inside her and came.

January blinked, staring up at the ceiling. They lay there for who knew how long. All she knew was that her body felt damn good, she had cool concrete at her back, and hard, warm man pinning her to it.

She pressed a kiss to the side of his head and he shifted, kissing her jaw.

“Okay?” he asked.

“I’m so far above okay that I’m in the stratosphere, 007.”

He gave her one of his faint smiles. She lifted her hand and stroked his cheek. He was so damn handsome.

When he froze, she realized she was stroking his scars.

But she didn’t care, hell, she barely noticed them now. They were just a part of him. She lifted her head and pressed her lips to his cheek, taking her time to trace the scars.

Seth shuddered.

Then he seemed to break free of the spell and scooped her up into his arms.

“I want to fuck you in my bed now.”

She laughed. She’d had a horrible few days, but somehow, this man—a man she’d thought she hated—was the bright light making it all okay.

“I think I can get on board with that.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

January’s husky cries were the sweetest sounds he’d heard.

They were in Seth’s bed, she was under him, her legs clamped to his sides as he moved inside her.

“So good.” She scratched her nails down his back.

Her body squeezed his cock hard. January didn’t hold back a single emotion. No elegant, thought-out moves, or showy, artful cries. No, January enjoyed him fucking her, and she wasn’t afraid to show it.

Something inside Seth broke. He thrust harder into her, pounding her into the bed. She gripped him tighter and moaned.

He watched as she came, crying out his name. He liked that sound even more than her husky cries. Then his own release hit him. With a growl, he lodged himself deep and poured himself inside her.

Damn. Seth rolled off her, falling back on the sheets and pulling her limp body into his side. The air was cool on his slick skin.

“I still haven’t fed you,” he said.

She pushed up, shoving her tangled hair out of her face. “How about burgers in bed?”

“I like your style, James.”

With a grin, she climbed out of the bed. He stared at her curvy ass and toned legs. She pulled on one of his button-down shirts, only doing up a few buttons, and sauntered out. His cock twitched. Damn, it was like he was seventeen again.

Seth sat up, and shoved a pillow behind his back. He grabbed his tablet off the bedside table, checking his security feed.

He still had a twitchy feeling. January getting snatched right under their noses had left him nervous.

He heard her in his kitchen and he stilled. He’d never brought a woman back here before. He sometimes hooked up between missions, but he went to the woman’s place, or one of the many hotels. Plates clanked, and then January muttered a curse.

He grinned. He liked it. Liked her puttering around his place.

When she finally returned, she sauntered in with that confident stride he enjoyed watching so much. His brows rose. Somewhere, she’d found one of his scarves and had it tied rakishly around her neck. She must have grabbed it from his closet earlier. She was holding two plates, loaded with burgers.

“Hello, sir. I hope you’re enjoying the flight,” she said, in a throaty voice.

Seth grinned. Oh, so Dr. James enjoyed a little role-play, did she? “It’s been okay so far.”

She set the plates down on the bedside table. “We’re expecting some turbulence.” She shot him a sexy grin and laid a napkin over his lap. “We want you to enjoy your trip.” She turned to grab a plate, leaning over enough to give him a view of her bare thighs and the bottom curves of her ass.

He reached over and stroked her skin. “I admire your dedication to your job.”

She turned back. “We take customer satisfaction very seriously.” She licked her lips, and his cock surged against the sheet.

“What would you like for your meal this evening?” she asked. “We have homemade burgers on the menu.”

“I don’t want burgers.”

“Oh? Well, whatever you want, I’ll do my best to provide it.”

“I want you to climb onto my lap, straddle me, and sink down on my cock.”

She shivered. “I see you’re interested in joining the Mile-High Club.”

“Very interested.” Seth flung the napkin and sheet away, baring his rock-hard cock to her.

January did as he’d ordered, climbing on and straddling him. Seth reached under her shirt, stroking the slick folds between her legs. She made a sexy sound and undulated on his hand.

“Whatever you want, sir.” Her voice was a husky whisper. “I’m here to provide for your every need.”

“Wrap one of those pretty hands around my cock.”

She obeyed, grasping him. “You’re so hard.”

“Put me inside you.”

She jerked, her lips falling open. But she obeyed, rising up and lodging the head of his cock against her folds. He sank in an inch, and they both moaned. Then she started to sink down, taking him inside her. Damn. So good.

Her hands gripped his shoulders for leverage, the most beautiful look crossing her face.

“Ride me,” he demanded. “I want you to come on my cock, then make me spill inside you.”

“Yes, sir.”

January rode him, her hips rising and falling. Seth opened the buttons on the shirt, cupping her breasts, then sliding his fingers down her flat belly. He touched where they were joined, his thick cock spearing inside her, listening to the small mewling sounds she made. Then, he stroked her clit.

She moved faster, panting. “Seth.”

“Damn, I love hearing you gasp my name.”

He gripped her hips, helping her to move up and down—faster, harder. It didn’t take long for her to come on a moan, tossing her head back.

Pure beauty. Seth followed her a second later, grinding her down on his cock.

“Fuck…January.”

She collapsed against him. Seth held her tight, and they stayed like that for a while. He stroked her back, just listening to her breathe.

“So…can I have my burger now, ma’am?”

She laughed. He stared at her face. There were no signs of worry or trauma from her ordeals. She was tough. He’d always known that.

Soon, they were both propped up on the pillows, eating burgers. Seth was naked, and January was only wearing his shirt. He liked this, too.

“Why archeology?” he asked.

She smiled, licking her fingers. “Because of my mom. She loved history. Instead of kids’ books, she read me history texts and books on mythology.” January’s smile turned dreamy. “We had this book on Egypt. It was illustrated and was so gorgeous. I loved it.”

“How did you lose her?” he asked quietly.

He watched January lick her lips and set her burger down. As she wiped her hands, he felt the air in the room change.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked—”

“No, it’s okay. I was fourteen, and she’d taken me down to L.A. for the day. We lived just outside Fresno. We went to the La Brea Tar Pits and the Natural History Museum. God, I was so excited. We drove, like, three hours to get there, and had such an awesome day wandering through all the exhibits.”

Seth’s shoulders tightened, and he realized that he wasn’t going to like the way this story ended.

“We had this piece-of-shit car. Mom worked in an office. We weren’t poor, but we didn’t have a lot, either. The car broke down on our way home.”

January fiddled with the sheet, and Seth fought the urge to pull her into his arms. For the first time, he wanted to fight a woman’s demons and keep her protected. To be her shield.

“It was getting dark, and Mom had taken a scenic route back, so it was pretty isolated,” she continued. “A truck pulled over to help.” She pulled in a breath.

Seth’s gut was in knots.

“There were two guys. They’d been drinking.” Her gaze met Seth’s. “They weren’t there to help us.”

“Shit, January—”

“My mom sensed it, and she told me to run.”

Now Seth grabbed January’s hand. Her fingers tangled with his.

“They raped her.” A shuddering breath. “And one of them raped me. Mom tried to stop them, but they hit her. Over and over.”

Fuck. Fuck. Seth’s chin dropped to his chest and he held her hand tight.

“Hey.” Fingers brushed his jaw. “It was a long time ago, Seth. My mom died of internal bleeding. I went to live with my aunt and uncle. They’re awesome, and we’re close. I won’t lie. There were a lot of rough moments, but I had therapy, I grieved. Yes, I lost my mom and my innocence, but I was determined to live for her.”

Now Seth understood what drove her. Why she embraced life, throwing herself into everything.

“And when I felt like I was spiraling out of control, I had my aunt, uncle, and two overprotective male cousins who are very much like brothers to me.” Her nose wrinkled. “Brandon and Mack still like to try and boss me around.”

Seth yanked her into his arms and she pressed her face against his chest. “Shit, January. That kind of stuff scars people.”

She nodded. “I have scars, but they’re healed.” She lifted her chin. “My mom died. She had no more chances to visit more museums, fall in love again, travel, cook, paint.”

“Or watch her daughter grow into a successful woman.”

“I thought I was a hellcat.”

“That too.” He stroked her hair. “Your mom would love your job.”

“Oh, yeah. I often imagine her visiting my digs. She would have loved it. It makes me smile.”

January was even stronger than Seth had first thought. There was physical strength, but the ability to move on from the shit life threw at you, and do it so successfully? That was another kind of strength.

He admired the hell out of her. He looked down at the scars on his arm. His past had gouged him deep, and he hadn’t come out the other side anywhere as well as January had.

Her hand touched his arm, her finger tracing one of his scars. There was an unspoken question in her eyes. His chest went tight. Nope, he was nowhere near as courageous as her.

“So, what would you like to do next?” he asked.

Disappointment flickered in her gaze, but she smiled at him.

“Well…” She shifted and touched the empty plate on the bed between them. She ran her fingers through some ketchup, then lifted her finger and smeared the red sauce down his chest. Then she leaned forward and licked it off.

His muscles tensed.

“Want to play spy and double agent?”

Seth tumbled her back onto the bed, grabbing the scarf she’d discarded earlier. He ran the fabric around her wrists. “Excellent idea.”

JANUARY WOKE TO AN EMPTY BED.

She heard Seth moving about in the living room, followed by the sound of a door sliding open. Mmm, she also smelled coffee. She liked the idea of a man up making coffee for her.

She stretched her arms above her head. Damn, she felt good. She had a few aches, but they were of the pleasurable kind.

God. She shivered. She’d dated before, and had a few, longer-term boyfriends, but mostly she wondered if love was a lie concocted by companies to sell stuff. She considered her aunt and uncle the exception that proved the rule.

But here she was, after the worst few days of her life, brimming with emotion. All stirred up by one lean, distrusting, sexy man. What she felt for Seth Lynch was so much, so big, so passionate.

Last night, she’d opened up and shared the worst thing that had ever happened to her. Seth, however, had not shared much about himself. She stared at the ceiling. The man had an icy shell around him an inch thick. She moved on the sheets, sheets they’d done some pretty incredible things on.

January thought—hoped—she might have put a dent in that shell of Seth’s. Maybe even a few cracks. She just needed some patience.

She blew out a breath. They hadn’t talked about what would happen after the mission was over, and right now, they were in an extreme situation. But for the first time in a long time, January felt giddy with hope.

She finally pulled her lazy butt out of bed, and headed for the bathroom. After she washed her face and tied her hair up in a loose knot, she found one of Seth’s button-down shirts and slipped it on.

Then she walked into the living room. She paused.

He was out on the balcony, leaning against the railing. He was also shirtless, just wearing sweats. Yum.

She moved closer and saw he had an expensive camera in hand, snapping shots of a plane that had just taken off.

When she stepped outside, he glanced her way and smiled. His gaze drifted down her body, lingering on her bare legs. “Morning.”

“Morning.” When she got closer, he pulled her in between his body and the railing. “You taking some photos?”

“Felt inspired.” He pushed her hair off her shoulder and dropped a kiss to her skin.

January shivered. She slid a hand up to the camera, looking at all the buttons. “May I?”

“Sure.” He handed it over.

She spun away from the airport, lifted the camera, and snapped a shot of him.

Seth scowled. “I don’t like having my picture taken.”

She backed up, snapping some more. “That’s a shame, because women would consider your body a work of art.”

He snorted.

She felt a chair behind her and sat. She took a few more pictures of him—chiseled abs, hard chest, handsome face. He was still scowling. “You must know you’re gorgeous.”

“I’m scarred.”

January flopped a hand through the air. “That only adds to the appeal. Trust me.”

He was staring at her like she was some puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. Then he strode toward her and snatched the camera off her.

“Hey—”

“My turn.” He aimed it at her. Click.

Great. No make up and messy hair.

He changed a setting on the camera and crouched. She leaned back and realized the shirt was dangerously high on her thighs.

He kept taking pictures, then paused. “You are so damn beautiful, January.”

Heat coiled in her belly. She reached up and fiddled with the buttons on the shirt. She slipped a few free and leaned back.

Seth shot her a sexy grin. “You want to be naughty, hellcat?”

“Only for you.”

He took another picture. “Show me.”

She opened the last of the buttons. Everything was still mostly covered, just hinting at what lay beneath.

“You trust me with photos like this?” he asked.

“Yes, Seth. I trust you.” She shifted her legs, the shirt riding higher.

His gaze sharpened. “No panties.”

“Well, I was hoping to find you and coax you back to bed.”

“Then what?”

“Then I was going to lie back on your big bed and touch myself until your control broke.”

He pressed his tongue to his teeth, his gaze locked on her. “Show me.”

As she slipped a hand down her middle, over her belly, she heard the camera click. She reached between her legs, his view blocked by her thigh. She slid her finger through her folds. Every click of the camera made her breath hitch. Her head fell back, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip.

“So damn beautiful.” His voice had deepened.

January rubbed her clit, so turned on knowing he was watching and photographing her. A husky cry escaped her lips.

“Enough.” Seth set the camera on the outdoor table. He closed the distance to her and dropped down beside her. Then his hands were on her thighs, pushing them apart.

“Seth—”

His hand moved over hers, his thumb caressing her clit alongside hers. She gasped.

Then he slid a finger inside her, then another. So full.

“Yes.” She rocked against his hand. He kept stroking inside her and she couldn’t form any words.

Moaning, she ground down on his fingers, needing more. So much more. Her hips lifted off the chair to meet his strokes.

“That’s it, hellcat. Take what you need.”

She moved faster and when he leaned over her, his lips taking hers, her orgasm hit. Her body twisted and her cries spilled into his mouth.

Then his hand was gone and he lifted her off the chair. She clamped her legs around his waist. In two long strides, he was back inside. Then her back hit the couch and his big body covered hers.

“Seth.”

“Need to fuck you.” His tone was clipped, color riding his cheekbones.

A second later, his sweats were gone, and he rubbed the head of his cock against her wetness.

He groaned. “You’re soaked.”

“Hurry up, Seth.” She lifted her hips.

“No patience.”

“Less talk, more—”

He surged inside her.

Oh, that sweet stretch. She pressed her head back against the couch. With fast, hard strokes, he drove deep inside her. She gripped his shoulders, holding tight, her choked cries echoing with each powerful thrust.

Soon, January was back at the edge of another orgasm. “Oh God, Seth.”

“Shit, January,” he ground out. “Going to come. Hard.”

“Yes.” She lifted her hips to meet his thrusts, her body molten hot. Then the pleasure exploded and she screamed.

With another thrust, he roared through his own release.

When she could finally see, hear, and breathe again, they were both sprawled on the couch.

“I was planning to make you breakfast first,” Seth murmured.

She lazily stroked his muscled back. “I’m okay with switching things up.”

He laughed. “Well, I’m going to make you breakfast now.” He levered himself up. “Hope you like fried eggs.”

“I sure do.” January managed to stand on shaky legs. “Especially when they’re cooked by a super-sexy guy.”

Another flash of a smile that made her heart flip over. He reached out, thumb rubbing over her lips. The look on his face took her breath away. She did a mental fist pump. There was another crack in that shell of his, she was sure of it.

She watched him pull his sweats over his absolutely fine ass and head for the kitchen. She detoured to the bathroom to clean up.

When she returned, she sat at the island and watched him serve her perfectly cooked fried eggs.

Seth leaned against the counter and started eating his own breakfast.

“Best fried eggs I’ve ever tasted.” She winked at him. “And best orgasms and fried eggs I’ve ever had.”

As he chuckled, a low chime sounded. He moved to his security screens. One screen showed Callie at the front door.

“Hey, Callie.” Seth pressed a button. “Come on up.” His gaze moved to January. “She’s got clothes for you, and she’s our ride to the airport. We have a flight back to base shortly.”

“Any news on the Knights of Gaia, or the sphere?”

He shook his head. “The team at the base are working on it.”

She nodded, forking up more eggs. It had been a wonderful, little interlude, just the two of them, but now reality was crashing back in. Big time.

Seth moved and stopped close to her. He tilted her chin up and dropped a kiss to her lips. “Wish we had more time.” He brushed his fingers along her jaw.

“Me too.”

“Morning.” Callie strode in, holding several shopping bags. “I have clothes, shoes, and some basic cosmetics.”

January swiveled on her stool. “You are a goddess, Callie. Thanks.”

Callie smiled. “You’re welcome, although you are completely rocking Seth’s tee.”

January snorted. “Might not be the right look for base.”

The medic’s pretty smile widened. “Probably not.”

Sliding off the stool, January took the bags. “I’ll go and change.” When she looked up, she saw a look on Seth’s face and she read it easily. She smiled. Apparently, he was sorry to see her out of his T-shirt.

In the bedroom, January dressed, and quickly did her face and hair. As she headed back toward the living area, she heard Seth and Callie talking.

“I like seeing you like this,” Callie said.

“Like what?”

“Open.”

“Cal—”

“No, Seth, you trust no one. You never let anyone through those personal defenses of yours.”

“I let you and the team in.”

“Other than us.”

“I have my reasons.”

Callie sighed. “We all do. But you think you always have to get a read on people and test their loyalty. I think it’s braver to take a risk and let them in.”

There was silence and January stood out of sight, frozen in place, and wrapped her arms around her middle.

“I like her,” Callie said. “I like you two together like this. I like the light in your eyes.”

There was a moment of silence. “I like her, too.”

January felt a burst of warmth inside. Somewhere that had been cold since her mother had died.

“Remember, not everyone is out to shove a knife in your back,” Callie said.

“Or your face,” Seth added.

Callie made a choked noise. “Please tell me you aren’t making torture jokes.”

January dropped her arms and took a deep breath. She breezed back in. “I’m ready.”

Seth looked up. He’d changed and was now dressed all in black—black cargo pants, black shirt, and heavy, black boots.

He nodded. “Time to go.”

Together, the three of them headed out to the black SUV parked out front. Seth locked up his place, and then they were on their way to the Bunker.

When they got to the airport, a smiling Kinsey greeted them. She was wearing tight jeans and a baby-pink T-shirt advertising the Hard Rock Casino.

“Hey, how you feeling, sweetie?” she asked January.

“I’m great.” God, January couldn’t look away. The woman was gorgeous.

“How’s our guest?” Seth asked.

Kinsey rolled her blue eyes. “PIMA. Pain in my ass.” Her gaze flicked to January. “Not sure how you ever let him lay a finger on you…”

“Temporary insanity.” January pursed her lips. “And too much tequila.”

Kinsey’s laugh was melodic and full-throated. Her gaze moved to Seth. “Well, you traded up.”

At that moment, Smith appeared in the doorway behind Kinsey. His gaze zeroed in on the blonde as she stood there laughing. January watched Smith’s face close down.

Ooh. Interesting. January wondered what that was about.

“Andelman is a fuckwit,” Smith said.

“Nothing we didn’t already know,” Seth added.

“Smith’s spent a lot of time with Dr. Andelman, and his patience is wearing a bit thin.” Kinsey reached up and patted Smith’s broad chest.

January watched as Smith stilled at the blonde’s touch. And when Kinsey moved away, she watched the big man’s gaze follow the woman.

Oh, yeah. January was so interrogating Seth about this later.

Everything was a whirl of activity after that. The rest of Team 52 arrived, and January watched curiously as a russet-haired, pretty woman dropped Lachlan off. January remembered she’d met Dr. Rowan Schafer briefly at Area 52. January watched the pair make out beside the car. Lachlan Hunter held the woman like she was something precious he needed to protect. It made January smile. Nothing like seeing a badass in love.

Soon, they were back on a plane headed back to Area 52. She saw that the team was tense and alert, clearly ready to track down the Knights of Gaia and end this. They all wanted the stolen sphere found.

As soon as they stepped back into the base, Nat appeared with a click of her heels. “Morning.”

She was as put together as always—fitted, dark-gray skirt and a blue shirt. But there was no hiding the dark circles under her eyes.

“Long night?” Seth asked.

She nodded. “I helped Brooks and Ty out. And I tracked down the document the Knights discovered with a reference to the spheres. There was a reference to it in the emails. It was actually a Mayan vase recovered from the Snake King site of Calakmul. The cylindrical pot was inscribed with glyphs and mentioned the jade spheres with a reference to their power.”

“I’d love to take a look at it,” January said.

Nat smiled. “Sure thing. But right now, Brooks is in his domain, and wants everyone there ASAP.” Her gaze scanned them all. “He found something.”

January straightened. Finally.

“Something in the emails?” Lachlan asked.

Nat nodded. “But he hasn’t shared what, yet. He wants us all there, first.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Seth took hold of January’s hand. She felt everybody watching them, but he didn’t appear to care. When she glanced around, she spotted a whole bunch of grins.

She grinned back, and then they headed down the hallway. A side door opened, and an older man with a buzzcut, and wearing fatigues, stepped in front of her.

“Oh, hi,” January said.

The man grunted.

“Arlo, this is January,” Seth said.

The man’s unhappy gaze fell on their joined hands. “Heard Lynch trekked through the jungle, fighting off bad guys to rescue you, then beat up some asshole who tried to kill you.”

“Yes.” He sounded pretty pissed about it all. “I’m pretty sure Seth would do the same for anyone in trouble.”

Another grunt. “You planning to get snatched again?”

“I hope not.”

Arlo made a harrumphing sound, then pivoted, and strode off.

With wide eyes, January looked at Seth. “Happy guy.”

“Arlo’s like good cheese…”

“Old and crusty?”

Seth smiled. “He gets more palatable with time.”

Right. There was quiet laughter all around.

Finally, they stepped into Brooks’ computer room.

Wow. The place looked like NASA’s Mission Control. There was a high island in the center of the room and screens everywhere. A large screen dominated the front wall.

The central table was littered with candy bar wrappers, and Brooks stood beside it. His shirt was rumpled and his hair was a mess. He didn’t look like he’d slept.

Her gaze fell on the text on his shirt and she fought a smile. It said “If I was a Jedi, there’s a 100% chance I would use the Force inappropriately.”

He shot them all a vague smile. “Hey.”

“What have you got?” Lachlan asked.

Brooks stepped forward, looking strangely nervous. He cleared his throat. “I’ve been going through all of Andelman’s emails.” Brooks’ gaze turned serious. “The Knights of Gaia cell is definitely in L.A.”

“You have an address?” Seth asked.

Brooks shook his head. “Not yet.”

A bunch of email text appeared on the screens, and January leaned against the bench to study them.

“Andelman took some small, early payments.”

“Luring him in.” Seth crossed his arms. “Start small, prove themselves to him.”

“Ahh…” Brooks fidgeted.

“Brooks?” Lachlan frowned at the man.

Another email appeared on the screen, and January saw her name mentioned in the text. She straightened, and felt the vibe in the room change.

Another email appeared, and her name was in there, too.

Brooks shot her a careful look. “The Knights say they contacted Andelman and January.”

“That isn’t true.” She laughed, but it was halfhearted. “I never had any emails from them. I’d never even heard of them before the jungle.”

“They say they paid you money to bring them the spheres,” Brooks said.

She couldn’t believe this. “That’s ludicrous! You can check my account.”

She looked around, feeling the chill in the air. Goose bumps broke out on her skin. She looked at Seth, and saw something working in his eyes.

“Seth—”

“I did check.” Brooks pushed his glasses farther up on his nose. “You received a large transfer into your account.”

She went stiff as a board. “What? I never received any money.”

She looked at Seth again. What she saw on his face made her feel like he’d punched her. His face was completely closed down, his eyes devoid of any emotion, and his jaw tight.

“Seth, this is bullshit. You know me.” She looked around at the bunch of serious faces. “You all know me.” God, she hated being forced to defend herself. She felt chilled to the bone. “I am not involved. They shot down my plane, for God’s sake.”

“Is there any chance the emails have been tampered with?” Lachlan asked.

She was glad to hear Lachlan ask the question. She just wished it had been Seth.

“I’ve checked.” Brooks sounded like he was sorry. “They look legit.”

“No way January would be involved with this,” Blair said.

January felt a tiny spurt of relief.

“We can’t take any chances.” Lachlan’s golden eyes were intense. “We need to check this out.”

The relief evaporated.

She looked back to the man who’d held her tight all night, who’d touched her, who she’d shared her darkest secrets with. “Seth—”

“You’ll be confined to quarters until we sort this out.” His tone was ice cold.

January’s heart cracked. “You don’t believe me.”

God. She’d forgotten. For a little while, she’d forgotten that good things weren’t forever. The things you loved most always disappeared. Besides, Seth had never opened up to her. He’d shared his body, but not his secrets. He’d never trusted her.

“I’ll escort you to your quarters.” Seth moved to take her arm.

She jerked away and wrapped her arms around her middle. “Fine. Whatever.”

AIR HISSED out of Seth as he did another set of chin-ups in the base gym. He was soaked with sweat, but he kept moving. Up, down, up, down.

He kept seeing January’s name in those damning emails.

Shit. He’d been blindsided by this. Unable to sort through the chaos in his head, he’d come to the gym. He’d already run ten miles, and hit the punching bag until it split.

He didn’t want to believe the worst. He pictured January naked in his bed. Smiling at him. Her talking about her past, her mom. He’d sent the pictures from his camera to his phone. The pictures of her in no more than his shirt, smiling at him.

And then he’d seen those fucking emails.

He knew. He knew people were rarely what they seemed. They could smile, go faithfully to church, and then turn around and murder the people they cared for the most. They could work at your side for years, then betray you to the enemy.

But his damn gut wanted to believe January was innocent, even when his head was telling him to assess the facts and remember the past.

He saw another image—January’s face as he’d escorted her back to her quarters.

She’d shut down. All the life in her gone.

He’d hated that.

Shit, why would she sell out her dig? His gut churned. It didn’t make any sense.

“Seth.”

Lachlan stood in front of him. Seth didn’t pause his chin-ups.

“You okay?” his friend asked.

“No.”

“I have Brooks checking to see if the emails are fake—”

“You should have him focused on finding the cell in California.”

Lachlan released a breath. “I know you feel something for January, and if you want to talk about—”

“No.” Seth knew his voice was sharp.

“She looked pretty cut up.”

“Seen lots of good actors, Lachlan. Especially when their asses are on the line.”

Lachlan tilted his head. “You really think that? That she’s playing us?”

Seth dropped down from the bar then spun and kicked a workout bench. It flew across the gym.

“No, dammit. I don’t think she’s guilty. But I can’t let personal feelings cloud my judgment.” He met Lachlan’s gaze. “We have a job to do. An important one.” He thrust his hands in his hair. “Fuck!”

“You let her in,” Lachlan said quietly. “You care about her.”

Seth pressed a hand to the back of his neck, hating that this hurt so much.

“Does this make any sense to you?” Lachlan continued. “January, of all people, taking money and selling artifacts?”

No. “People do fucked-up things all the time.”

“I’m not talking about spies or traitors, Lynch.”

Seth dropped his hand. “No, it doesn’t make any sense.” He wanted to believe. He wanted to shout to the world that she was innocent. But he’d felt this way before, defending the agent who’d sold him out, right up until his captors had shoved a knife through his cheek, his arm, and his chest.

“You’ve been getting to know January,” Lachlan said. “You need some trust, Seth. I know you trusted the wrong people in the past, but you’ve got good instincts.”

Seth gritted his teeth.

Lachlan’s eyes narrowed. “You know her.”

Seth blew out a breath. “She wouldn’t do this.” The words burst out of him and instantly the horrible pressure in his chest eased. January was life, enthusiasm, and energy. She wasn’t shady deals and selling out what she was passionate about. “She wouldn’t sell out. One, because she loves her work. And two, because of what drives her.” Seth thought of her mother.

The gym doors slammed open and Brooks hurried in.

Seth went stiff. “Did you find tampering in the emails?”

“Nope,” Brooks answered. “But the money went into a new bank account in January’s name. Opened two days before the plane crash.”

Seth lifted his chin. “Where was the account opened?”

“In Los Angeles. In person.”

Seth felt a chill run down his spine, and heard Lachlan curse. “And January was in Guatemala then.”

He hadn’t believed her. In his heart, yes, but not out loud when she’d needed him. Not when she’d told him point-blank that she’d had nothing to do with it.

He hurried out of the gym, striding down the hall.

“Seth—” Lachlan called after him.

“I didn’t trust her, Lachlan. She’s been through shit before, and I left her alone to deal with this. I—” Dammit. He’d apologize. He’d beg and grovel. Whatever he had to do to make it up to her.

He reached her quarters and pounded on the door.

There was no answer.

“January? Open up.”

Still no answer. He expected the door to wrench open and for her to come out with guns blazing. But he remembered her pale, hurt face.

Screw this. Seth stepped back and then kicked down the door.

“Hell.” Axel’s voice.

The man was standing in the hall watching Seth, Lachlan coming up behind him.

“We having a party?” Axel asked.

“No,” Seth barked.

“Seth is extracting his head from his ass,” Lachlan said.

Ignoring his friends, Seth entered January’s quarters. He looked around, but he knew she wasn’t there.

“Empty,” he said.

“Shit,” Lachlan muttered.

Seth moved to the phone, snatched it up, and hit Brooks’ line. “Brooks, you know where January is?”

“Confined to quarters,” Brooks said. “Hey, I found it. Whoever the hell did it was good.”

“Found what?”

“The emails are fake. They were inserted into Josh’s inbox at a later date.” Brooks cleared his throat. “You’re going to have to grovel to get her to forgive you.”

“I will do that as soon as I find her. January’s not in her quarters.”

“What?”

“She’s gone.”

Brooks swore. “Hang on. Searching the security footage now.”

Seth slammed the phone down and strode down the corridor, flanked by Lachlan and Axel.

“You’re going to need some charming footwork, amigo,” Axel said.

Seth nodded sharply. That wasn’t his top priority. First, Seth just wanted to make sure that she was okay.

Blair appeared, shaking her head at Seth. “You messed up, my friend.”

“I fucked up. Big time. I know.” He growled. “Now I need to fix it, but I can’t find her.”

Blair’s eyes widened. “What?”

Panic slid into Seth’s veins. He knew she’d fight him, and he deserved it, but right now, he had to find her.

He heard running footsteps from behind and spun. Brooks powered down the hall, tablet in hand.

“We have a problem,” Brooks said.

“What?” Seth demanded.

“January is gone.”

“Gone?” Seth bit out.

Lachlan crossed his arms. “We’re in a secure fucking base, she can’t be gone.”

“And January is a smart, resourceful woman,” Brooks said. “She lifted a key card from a guard. She got out, and somehow made it to the front gate.”

Brooks tilted his tablet and it showed an image of January glancing over her shoulder as she exited the front gate of Area 52.

“Dammit to hell.” Seth turned and punched the wall.

Brooks frowned. “Where do you think—?”

Seth clenched his fists. “The little fool is going to clear her name. She’s going to try and get the sphere back.”

There were gasps and curses all around.

January was going to put herself in danger, and it was all his fault.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

January felt sand get in her socks and sighed. She continued to put one foot in front of the other, walking along the dusty edge of the highway. The very empty highway. Since she’d started walking, there’d been no cars on this lonely stretch of road.

She lifted her head, pulling in a lungful of hot, dry, desert air. That’s all there was around—desert. The landscape was flat, beige sand with the odd sagebrush, and mountains in the distance.

As she walked, she felt horribly alone. Memories of another highway she’d been left on tried to crowd into her head, but she straightened her shoulders. The past was the past, and she had bigger problems to worry about.

She’d been accused of treason. Of selling out her work and colluding with ecoterrorists.

Seth had believed the lies.

Tears pricked at her eyes, and she ruthlessly fought them back. Oh, no. She was not thinking about Seth Lynch.

Ever.

January sniffed, her throat tight. Minutes ticked by, beads of sweat sliding between her shoulder blades.

Her plan was to get herself to Los Angeles. She had a damn artifact to rescue.

The rumble of a car’s engine came from behind her. She turned, her muscles tensing. She half expected to see a military vehicle from Area 52 bearing down on her.

Instead, it was a beaten-up, white station wagon. She waved and stuck her thumb out.

The car slowed down and pulled to a stop in front of her in a cloud of dust. The back of the vehicle was packed full of junk. She made out some camping gear, boxes, blankets, other things she couldn’t identify. Her gaze fell on the stickers plastered over the side window. All of them featured flying saucers or alien heads.

UFO Hunter

Area 51 Patrol

I want to believe

UFO Chase Vehicle

Hmm. She leaned down to look through the windows and studied the three men inside…okay, men was stretching it. They didn’t look like they were much over twenty, so maybe man-boys was more appropriate.

The trio had “geek-boy nerd” stamped all over them. And not in the hot, sexy way Brooks did, more of a sweet, earnest way.

The young man behind the wheel was wearing thick-framed glasses, and had a mop of curly, blond hair. The one lounging in the back seat looked like he was all arms and legs, and had brown hair and cheeks pitted with acne scars. The one in the passenger seat had black hair that framed a face that was damn near close to pretty, with large, blue eyes and long eyelashes January would kill for.

“Hi, guys” she said.

The one in the passenger seat nodded, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Hi.”

“Can I get a ride?” she asked.

“Sure, sure.” The young man in the back pushed open the door, almost tripping over himself to let her in. Several empty soda cans and candy wrappers fell out.

“I’m Calvin.” He scrambled to grab the trash and scooted back across the seat.

“Hi, Calvin.” She climbed in and a funky smell hit her. Lucky she was used to rough, dirty archeological digs. She smiled brightly.

The driver swiveled to look back, peering through his glasses. He had pretty brown eyes.

“I’m Artie.” Then he pointed a finger to the passenger. “And that’s Sammy.”

Sammy looked back. Yep, definitely the face of an angel. When he filled out some more, he’d be a heartbreaker.

“Hi, guys. I’m January.”

Artie gripped the wheel and pulled back out onto the road.

“Where are you headed?” Artie asked.

“Wherever. I’m actually trying to get to Los Angeles.” She had an artifact to find and bad guys to stop. “What are you guys doing out here?”

“We’re on vacation,” Artie said.

“Best time of the year to spot activity around Area 51,” Calvin added.

January raised her brows. “Activity?”

“Unidentified flying activity.”

She glanced at the stickers on the windows. “You guys are UFO hunters?”

They all nodded.

“We’re all studying astrophysics at college,” Calvin said. “On our vacations, we come out here, camp, stargaze, and try to record potential alien or suspicious military activity.”

“A-ha,” she murmured.

Artie looked at her in the rear-view mirror. “What are you doing here? There isn’t much out here.”

“Escaping from a top-secret military base.” She winked.

The young men all stared at her for a beat, then they all burst into laughter. January smiled.

“So, have you spotted any UFOs this trip?” she asked.

That was apparently all the young men needed. They launched into a blow-by-blow description of what they’d been doing, what they’d spotted, and then segued into all their theories on the alien wreckage and bodies they believed were being kept at Area 51.

“We’ve also been recording any potential experimental aircraft we see,” Sammy said.

“Aircraft made from secret alien technology,” Calvin added.

January smiled at them. “Right.” Or by a genius tech guru, from ancient technology.

“What do you do?” Sammy asked.

“I’m an archeologist.”

“Cool,” Artie breathed. “I plan to take a few archeology classes when I get back to school.”

She saw Sammy eyeing her with a serious look.

“Why are you really here, January?” he asked.

She sighed. “It’s a long story, Sammy.”

Calvin touched her arm gently. “I’m sorry.”

She raised a brow. “About what?”

“I can see you’re hurting.”

Her nose tingled. God save her from perceptive, sensitive geeks.

“Quit hitting on January, Cal,” Artie said. “She’s waaaay out of your league. Plus, she’ll absolutely have a boyfriend.” His gaze met hers in the rearview mirror. “You have one, right?”

“That’s another long story,” she told him.

The three man-boys sighed.

“I bet he’s a rich, good-looking badass,” Cal said.

Seth’s image formed in front of her eyes. “Um—”

Another set of gusty sighs.

“So,” Artie said. “The activity hasn’t quite been what we’d been hoping for. We wouldn’t mind driving to California. Right, guys?”

Their chorus of yeses made January feel warm inside. “Thanks, guys. I’ve had a few rough days, so that’s really kind of you.”

“Because of your badass boyfriend?” Sammy asked.

She sighed. “Because of a badass asshole.”

Suddenly, there was a rush of noise overhead and dust kicked up around the car.

The men and January leaned forward. A black helicopter swept past them.

“Holy frelling frak,” Artie breathed.

“It’s some sort of stealth helicopter,” Cal said, gripping the back of Artie’s seat.

The helicopter spun in mid-air to face them, and January’s heart sank. Oh, no.

“That badass boyfriend of yours, is he a pilot?” Sammy asked.

“Maybe,” she said.

Then the guns mounted on either side of the helicopter swung in their direction. January tensed. What the hell?

Artie’s hands clenched on the wheel. “Oh, shit—”

Machine-gun fire peppered the road right in front of them. They all screamed and ducked down.

“Floor it, Artie,” January cried. “Go. Go!”

Artie slammed his foot down on the accelerator and the car sped forward, fishtailing. More gunfire rained down around them.

God, she couldn’t believe this. She couldn’t believe that Team 52 would fire on civilians. Talk about overkill.

She couldn’t get these young men killed.

“Stop the car,” she screamed.

No one listened. The helicopter swung around, right in front of them, kicking up a cloud of sand and dust.

Artie slammed on the brakes and their car skidded off the road.

They came to a stop, the vehicle rocking on its wheels. January shoved her door open and leaped out.

The helicopter lowered down, hovering just above the ground. Her hair whipped around her face as she watched the side door open.

That’s when it hit her. Team 52 wouldn’t fire on innocent civilians.

She watched several figures in black leap out of the helicopter. One big form had long, blond hair falling to his shoulders. January froze.

Definitely not Team 52. This was the Knights of Gaia.

Ah, hell.

“Go!” She waved her arm at the men in the car. “Go now and get away!”

She knew that the Knights didn’t want these boys. She turned and sprinted out into the desert.

She heard the sounds of pursuit behind her and pumped her arms. She stumbled on the rough, desert ground, but kept moving. Her lungs burned.

Then she was tackled from behind.

She hit the ground hard, sand filling her mouth. Ow. The air was knocked out of her.

She found herself yanked up.

January fought hard, struggling wildly, and trying to knee the bastard in the balls. She caught a glimpse of several armed men holding Artie, Cal, and Sammy at gunpoint. She struggled harder.

Her captor grunted, and then a bag was dropped over her head. She kept fighting, even knowing it was a losing battle.

Then she was shaken hard enough that her teeth rattled, and tossed over a hard shoulder.

No. No. No.

“FASTER,” Seth growled.

He was leaning over Blair’s shoulder. She was at the controls of the Titan—the team’s light tactical armored vehicle.

Blair ignored him. They were already going fast.

The experimental vehicle was one of Ty’s toys. It had armor-plating the same color as the desert outside, huge, rugged tires made for hard terrain, and a sleek, glass-covered front where the driver sat. A machine gun had been fitted on the top.

Behind Seth, the rest of Team 52 sat in the snug confines of the vehicle.

They neared the front gate and the guards opened it for them. They tore out onto the highway.

“Don’t kill us, Mason,” Lachlan called out.

Seth glanced back at Lachlan, sitting on a bench seat, holding his CXM. All the team were dressed in black tactical outfits.

“Fuck.” Brooks voice came through the panel in front of Blair. “I have the satellite imagery up. There’s a helicopter. It opened fire.”

Seth’s stomach dropped.

“I saw a vehicle stop and pick up January. The helicopter intercepted them.”

The fucking Knights of Gaia were after January. Seth slammed his fist against the side panel.

“Hold it together, Lynch,” Lachlan said.

“We’ll get her.” Blair glanced back, her gaze meeting his.

Seth dragged in a breath and nodded, but his muscles were strung tight. This was his fault. He hadn’t trusted her the way she deserved and he’d driven her away.

“Helicopter’s leaving,” Brooks said.

Shit. Seth gritted his teeth.

“There!” Blair yelled.

Leaning forward, Seth peered through the windshield. He saw a dusty station wagon on the side of the road. Three men were standing in the middle of the road.

In the distance, a helicopter was flying away. It was barely more than a black speck in the cloudless sky.

The Titan jolted to a stop beside the car. Seth shoved the side door out and up, then leaped down. His boots hit the dirt and he bent his knees. He whipped his CXM up and aimed at the young men.

“On your knees,” Seth barked.

The men dropped instantly, their faces white. Hell, they looked like geeky teenagers.

“Please don’t kill us,” one cried.

“Where’s January?” Seth asked.

The men all frowned.

Seth stepped closer. “January. I want answers. Now!”

“You guys aren’t with the ones who took her?” the curly-haired young man with glasses asked, his brow creased with confusion.

They’d taken her. Dammit. Seth sucked in a breath, trying to find some control. Lachlan and Blair flanked him, and he watched the rest of the team fan out, scoping the area.

One of the young men, with a pretty face, looked past Seth to the Titan. His eyes widened. “Wow. I’ve never seen a tactical vehicle like that before.”

“Eyes down,” Blair snapped.

The man obeyed immediately. “Please don’t shoot me.”

“Tell me what happened to January,” Seth demanded. “Now.”

The tall, lanky one looked at him. “Are you January’s badass? The one she said was an asshole?”

Seth gritted his teeth. “Yes. January is mine. Talk. Now.”

The young men recounted the story in detail. When they described a man with long, blond hair grabbing January, Seth closed his eyes for a second.

“Knights of Gaia,” he murmured to his team. The bastards had her.

“Hold it together, amigo.” Axel gripped his shoulder.

“If they hurt her—”

“Um…” the curly-haired man said. “If it helps, we have a dashcam set up.”

Seth straightened. “You recorded the attack?”

The young man nodded.

“I’ll get it.” Callie headed toward the car.

The lanky man was staring at them all. “Who are you guys? Are you from Area 51?”

Seth and his team ignored him. All Seth could think about was the fact that the Knights had January. He stared toward the western horizon.

“She’ll be okay,” Lachlan said. “They want her for something. Besides, she’s tough. Titanium-coated.”

“She’s been hurt before,” Seth said. “As a teen, she and her mom were attacked. Her mom was killed.” He drew in a breath. “They were attacked by the side of a road. Physically and sexually.”

“Shit.” Lachlan’s golden eyes flashed.

“You’re kidding,” Smith ground out, jaw tight.

An angry vibe resonated from the rest of Seth’s team. “I wish I was.”

“We’ll get her back,” Lachlan’s tone was uncompromising.

Blair nodded. “We won’t stop looking until we find her.”

Seth gripped his weapon and nodded. He’d tear the country apart if he had to, but he would find her.

And if anyone had laid a hand on her…

He glanced at the young men, who were still pale-faced and anxious. “You guys get out of here. You saw nothing, you will remember nothing.” The trio didn’t need any further prompting. As one, they dove into the wagon and took off down the road.

Seth swiveled his CXM onto his back and turned to his team. “Let’s go rescue my woman.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Seth leaned forward in his seat and pressed play again on the tablet screen.

He was on the X8, the jet engines a drone of background noise as they sped west toward L.A. The video flared to life. The three young UFO hunters had managed to record the entire attack and January’s abduction.

He watched on the screen as the helicopter opened fire. His jaw tightened. He saw the car swerve, and heard the young men cursing. Then he heard January telling them to go.

Of course, she would. She’d risk herself to help save them.

Then he saw January through the windshield, running into the desert. Soldiers from the helicopter raced toward her, and he saw her struggling with a man as he lifted her, kicking and screaming, off her feet.

“You’ve watched that a hundred times,” Lachlan said from beside Seth.

Seth lifted his chin. He touched the screen and zoomed in on January’s attacker. He had long, shaggy, blond hair.

It was definitely the man from Guatemala, who’d snatched the sphere.

They needed the location of the cell in L.A.

“Brooks got anything, yet?” Seth asked.

Lachlan gripped his shoulder. “Not yet. But we’ll find her.”

“I could lose her.” Seth looked at the floor. “I barely had her, but it was good, and I screwed it up.”

“We all screw up,” Lachlan said. “You fix it, and do better next time. So, get your head in the game and focus on getting her back. We need to recover the sphere and stop the Knights of Gaia.”

Seth nodded and lifted his head. Out the window, he caught a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean in the distance. They were close.

A screen on the wall of the X8 flickered, and Brooks’ face appeared. “Guys.”

The man’s tone made Seth stiffen. He gripped the armrest. “January?”

“Nothing yet.” Regret flared in Brooks’ eyes. “But something is going down in L.A. It’s all over the Internet and the news channels.”

The screen changed to a news report. A sleek blonde in a snappy suit was reporting, holding a microphone to her mouth.

“This is an extraordinary event with no explanation.” She stepped to the side, to allow the camera a better look at the iconic Hollywood sign behind her, nestled into the hillside.

Seth hissed in a breath and Lachlan swore. He sensed the rest of the team moving closer.

“Fuck me,” Smith muttered.

Vines and bushes were growing up around the famous sign. As they watched, a vine curled through the first O, tangling around it like a rope.

“They’re testing the sphere,” Seth said.

The reporter threw out a hand. “Emergency services are on the scene, but no one has any explanation for the out-of-control plant growth currently taking place.”

“Brooks, any sightings of the Knights around the sign?” Seth asked.

“I’ve got a partial plate and make of a vehicle seen leaving the Hollywood sign,” Brooks said.

Seth’s pulse leaped. Finally. “Find them.”

“I’m on it.”

They needed to find her.

Blair brought the X8 in to land at the airport, and when the team exited the terminal, a sleek, black truck was waiting for them. A uniformed airman was waiting for them, snapping to attention as Lachlan approached.

“Commander Hunter?”

“That’s me.” Lachlan took the keys and dismissed the man.

Seth slid open the side door of the truck. The inside was decked out with comfy seats, computer systems, and built-in cabinets Seth knew would be filled with everything they might need—first aid kits, weapons, armor.

“I’m driving.” Smith circled the truck to get in the driver’s seat.

Lachlan touched his ear. “Brooks, we’re at the truck. Any updates?”

A screen came to life, showing Brooks in his computer room. He’d changed his shirt. It was grey with the NASA logo on it…except the blue circle was actually the Death Star.

“Everyone is focused on the Hollywood sign incident,” Brooks said.

“The Knights wanted attention,” Seth said.

“They’ve sent a message to the press,” Brooks said.

“Tell us,” Seth demanded.

Brooks cleared his throat. “We are the Knights of Gaia, defenders of the Earth and mankind. It is our mission to save the planet for our children, and end the destruction of nature by overpopulation and pollution. To do this, hard choices must be made and action taken. In order to save our planet, we vow to destroy every city in the world and save the Earth. To save mankind.”

Seth settled into a seat. Blair knocked his legs out of the way, and sat beside him. The truck pulled away from the curb.

“Shit,” Blair muttered.

“Any luck tracking down the car?” Seth asked. “Do you have a location?”

“The car’s a rental.”

Dammit. Seth put a hand to the back of his neck.

Then Brooks grinned. “But I hacked the rental company’s system. The car has LoJack.”

Seth straightened. Finally, a break. “Where?”

“A swanky house in the Hollywood Hills. I’m sending you the address now.”

Tires screeching, Seth peered out the window as they sped toward the Hollywood Hills.

Hold on, hellcat. I’m coming.

JANUARY TESTED the ropes tying her to the chair. They were tight. Really tight.

She sighed.

She stared out the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Her prison had a hell of a view. The house was up in the hills overlooking L.A. and had a brilliant view of the city skyline below. The house was also gorgeous. All modern lines, with no clutter, and loads of plants everywhere. One entire wall in the living room was all greenery, and there was actually a pond inside the house, a small fountain within it trickling gently.

Then she turned her gaze to the television that was showing horrific images from the Hollywood sign. The sound was off, but she saw a police helicopter buzzing overhead. The sign was almost completely engulfed by vegetation.

Her stomach tightened. They’d tested the sphere. She glanced around at the silent and very armed guards stationed at various points around the room. They weren’t playing around.

“Dr. James.”

A trim man about her age sat down on the chair in front of her. He was good-looking, in a bland sort of way, and wearing chinos and a pressed shirt. She’d seen all the armed guards defer to him, so she guessed he was the man in charge.

“I’m Mark Kelleson.”

She straightened. “The tech millionaire?”

He smiled. “Almost. Tech billionaire.”

She’d heard of his company. He’d made his fortune in solar panels, wind turbines, and electric cars. Her belly did a slow roll. All renewable energies, and things that were good for the environment.

“You run the Knights of Gaia,” she said.

He tilted his head and smiled. “Yes. I plan to save our planet.”

“Riiiiight,” she said.

“You don’t believe me?”

“I think you believe you.”

He nodded gravely. “So, you don’t agree with me.”

“I want us to do what’s best for the planet, but over seven billion people call this place home. You don’t get to decide the path forward for everybody.” She leaned closer, as far as her bindings would allow. “You don’t get to steal, kill, and destroy in the process.”

“We’re already destroying the planet, Dr. James. Overpopulation, pollution, destruction of the rainforests. Soon, it’ll be too late. I’m a savior.”

January rolled her eyes.

The mild-mannered look on Kelleson’s face changed, his lips twisting. “Cities will fall.”

“Then people will die. And that makes you a murderer.”

He gave a negligent shrug. “It’s unfortunate, but necessary. Collateral damage on the path to something better.”

“Mass murder is not collateral damage,” she hissed, furious. “It’s never justified.”

“If we kill the planet, we all die.” His voice rose. “If the cities are razed, nature will reclaim the land.”

“Nope, not going to happen,” January said.

Kelleson frowned. “You can’t stop me.”

“It won’t be me stopping you.”

“The people who rescued you in Guatemala.” His gaze narrowed. “Who are they?”

January smiled.

“They have the other sphere, don’t they?” he asked. “That’s why we wanted to talk to you. I really need the second sphere.”

“You’ll never get it.” She lifted her chin and shifted her gaze to stare at the wall.

“Sir.” One of the guards stepped forward.

Kelleson turned, and January watched another man enter the room. He was tall, lean, and wore a lab coat. He looked exhausted, his shirt was beyond rumpled, and his wire-framed glasses were smudged.

“Dr. Dempsey,” Kelleson said. “What have you got for me?”

“The results from the test are looking good,” the scientist said.

Once more, January looked at the television screen. She could no longer make out any of the letters of the iconic sign.

“You’ve done excellent work to determine how to amplify the effects of a single sphere,” Kelleson said.

Dempsey nodded. “I believe we no longer need the second sphere.”

Oh, no. January swallowed hard. This didn’t sound good.

“Good.” Kelleson smiled, the expression terrifying. “Then it’s time to put our plan into action.”

A chill raced down January’s spine. The look on the man’s face…

“What plan?” she asked.

The men ignored her.

Dempsey fidgeted. “We still have more testing to do, I’m not sure—”

“No. No more testing. No more waiting.”

“What plan?” January asked again.

Kelleson’s glittering gaze hit her. “Los Angeles will be the first city to tremble and fall. The first city where nature will rule again.”

January rolled her eyes, attempting to hide her fear behind sarcasm. “Dude, you sound like you’re auditioning for the villain in a bad movie.”

Kelleson frowned. “L.A. will crumble, and the trees will rise.”

Shit. January struggled against her ropes again. She had to warn Seth and Team 52.

“Mr. Kelleson, I still need to run calibration tests.” Dr. Dempsey took off his glasses, cleaning them on the edge of his shirt. He looked extremely nervous. “We have no idea the extent of the plant growth, and whether we can control it—”

“No.” Kelleson pointed at the television. “Look, it works. Far better than we’d hoped. We’re ready.”

“Yes, the plant growth is much faster than we expected. But if we launch a larger offensive, the growth might get completely out of control.”

“Get the artifact ready to move,” Kelleson ordered. “That’s an order.”

The scientist’s shoulders slumped. With a nod, he turned and walked out.

Kelleson stood. “Everyone get ready to move.”

A guard gestured at January. “What about her?”

“She can stay here.” A smile edged the billionaire’s lips. “She’ll have a bird’s eye view of the destruction.”

“You’re insane,” she said.

“I’m a crusader.”

“You’re deluded.”

His smile dissolved and he scowled at her.

“Sir, ah…we have a problem.”

Kelleson swiveled to glare at the guard who’d spoken. “What is it?”

“Our security system is picking something up outside… No, wait.” He touched his ear. “My people say it’s gone. Must have been a glitch.”

“Check the cameras, and get the sentries to report in.” Kelleson headed toward the door. “I’ll be preparing to leave.”

January looked out the window, scanning the outdoor area. There was a built-in fire pit, surrounded by comfortable-looking chairs. A lone guard was on patrol.

She turned her head, staring at the lush gardens growing up close to the windows. She stilled. There was a figure hidden deep in the greenery. They were dressed all in black, with high-tech goggles over their eyes.

January blinked. When she looked again, the figure was gone.

Suddenly, gunfire broke out somewhere outside. Her pulse leaped, and a wave of hope and relief washed over her. She knew it was Seth and the others.

They’d come.

No, she wasn’t thinking of Seth. All she was focused on was getting the hell out of there alive.

Kelleson started barking orders. “Get the artifact on board! I want extra guards at—”

A sound splintered the room—an ear-splitting, high-pitched squeal.

January gritted her teeth as the noise speared into her brain.

Then, all around them, the windows shattered, sending glass shards flying everywhere.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Seth dove through the broken window.

He hit the ground with a crunch of glass, rolled, and came up on his feet. He saw a guard rushing at him, and Seth whipped his gun up and fired.

All around him, he heard shouts and gunfire.

Shit. He had to get to January before she got hit.

Lachlan charged past him, firing. The rest of Team 52 burst into action. They moved together—firing and fighting.

Seth slammed into another guard, and saw a second one swinging at him. He ducked and spun. Then he grabbed a fistful of the man’s shirt, yanked the man to the floor, and landed a hard chop to the back of his neck.

“Seth,” Blair shouted.

He swiveled, just as she spun a man at him. Seth ducked down low, and rammed his fist into the man’s gut.

The guard doubled over, and Blair jumped into the air and landed an unforgiving kick to the man’s head. He fell to the floor, unconscious.

“Look out!” Smith bellowed.

Seth turned, and saw a man step out of a doorway, rifle in hand. He started spraying the room with bullets.

January. She was tied to a chair in the center of the room, eyes wide, unable to move.

As his team ducked for cover, Seth leaped up and sprinted toward her.

“Seth, get down,” Lachlan growled.

As the guard aimed in his direction, Seth dropped and rolled. Bullets ripped up the carpet and furniture behind him.

“Give him cover fire!” Lachlan roared.

His team opened fire. Seth came up on his feet and leaped over a couch. He heard the boom of a shotgun, and suspected it was Smith.

Seth reached January, just as a female guard appeared beside her. The woman launched herself at Seth, kicking at him. He dodged and landed a blow to her chest that sent her flying back into a small pond with a splash.

“January.”

Her head turned, but she didn’t meet his gaze. Instead she looked at his boots. “Hey.”

His jaw tightened. They didn’t have time to talk right now, but they would. Later. When she was safe.

Then her head jerked up, her gaze moving over his shoulder. “Look out!”

Seth was already moving. Another guard with a gun was striding toward them.

Shit. Seth gripped the empty chair beside January’s, lifted it, and tossed it at the man. He heard the man curse.

Seth didn’t have time to free her before the guard pumped them full of bullets. He grabbed the arms of January’s chair and lifted her off the ground.

He raced across the room and through a nearby doorway. She gasped as bullets punched into the wall next to them. He set January down, slammed the door shut, and locked it.

They were in a long, tiled room that housed an indoor, heated swimming pool. It was a long lap pool, and the entire room was enclosed with glass. The air was warm and humid, fogging the windows, and there were potted plants everywhere. Sunlight streamed in, glinting off the water.

Seth knelt beside January. “Let me cut you free.”

She nodded, but still wouldn’t look at him.

“January.” He cupped her jaw.

She jerked away from his touch.

“Hellcat, I’m sorry.”

She looked up at him, her eyes angry, but he saw the hurt buried in them as well.

“We don’t have time right now,” he said, “but I want you to know I’m sorry.”

Her eyelids flickered, but she still didn’t say anything.

He pulled out his knife. “I fucked up. You know some of my background… I don’t trust easily.”

She made a sound of disbelief. “You needed to see the evidence before you knew I wasn’t a goddamned traitor to my country.”

“I knew before we had any evidence. I was fighting myself.”

January stilled. “You hurt me.”

Seth felt a pain slice his chest. “I know. I’m sorry.”

Suddenly, bullets came through the door. Shit. Seth moved, shoving her chair aside.

“I messed up. Big time.” He cut through the ropes on her left arm. “My CIA missions are all classified, so I can’t share details. A good friend and colleague was the one who sold me out. He handed me over to our damn enemies and they tortured me for three days.”

She gasped.

“My face is a reminder of it every day.”

Her eyes sparked. “A fellow American handed you over to be tortured?”

“Yep. For money.”

“What the hell? I hope he—”

“He’s dead, January.”

Her face softened, her gaze moving over his scars before she looked in his eyes. “Seth—”

“I’m not as fucking courageous as you,” he said. “You’ve used what happened to you and your mom to be the best you can be. I used my ordeal to close myself up.”

“Seth.” She reached out with her left hand, gripping his arm.

“I was so afraid when I knew they had you,” he whispered. “And it was all my fault.”

“It was their fault. And you came for me. Again.”

He reached down and cupped her jaw. “You’re letting me off too easily. I was prepared to beg.”

“Probably. But you did just carry me through a hail of gunfire. I’ll let you make it up to me in other ways. Later.”

He smiled. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She leaned forward, her voice a whisper. “I expect lots of orgasms, followed by fried eggs.”

“Deal.” He moved to free her other arm.

All of a sudden, more gunfire reverberated through the air, and the door to the pool room burst open. Seth whipped around and watched an armed female guard race into the room.

Seth charged. He kicked out, knocking the woman’s rifle out of her hands. It skidded across the tiles and slid into the pool.

The woman sprang at Seth. She landed a kick to his chest, sending him staggering. Then she launched into a series of powerful kicks, and he dodged and twisted to avoid them. The woman was long, lean, and strong. And damn, she was well-trained in something lethal.

She kicked at him again, almost catching him in the head.

Time to end this. He dodged another kick, and on the next one, he caught her ankle and twisted.

The woman fell. Seth saw her fumbling for the gun in her holster, but Seth yanked on her leg again. He managed to smack her gun away and the woman hit the tiles, right in front of January.

January was half out of the chair, still tied to it by her right arm. She kicked at the woman.

Her foot connected with the woman’s head and she growled, spitting blood. Then the woman leaped up, smiled, and shoved January hard.

January tipped backward.

Shit, she was right at the edge of the pool. “January—”

She teetered and fell into the pool with a splash, taking the chair with her.

No! Seth moved forward. The heavy chair would drag her to the bottom.

The guard attacked him again.

Kick, punch, strike. Seth dodged and blocked. Gritting his teeth, he moved back, avoiding her blows when he could. But she got several in. He felt a sharp pain in his ribs, and when her kick connected with his thigh, agony tore up his leg.

But in his head was a ticking clock. He had to get to January.

He risked a quick glance toward the pool, and saw her struggling under the water.

Enough. He advanced and kicked the woman. She staggered. She blocked his next punch, but he whipped his elbow up and connected with her face. Her nose broke and she grunted.

Seth shoved her back and launched into a roundhouse kick. His boot connected, and the woman dropped to the tiles and didn’t move.

Spinning, Seth took two steps and dived into the pool.

He sliced through the water. January wasn’t moving anymore and his heart clenched. She was still tied to the chair by one arm, her hair floating around her head and her body horribly still.

He reached her and quickly sliced through the rope. He grabbed her and kicked hard.

They broke the surface. He kept one arm around her limp body as he dragged her out of the pool.

Be okay, hellcat. Be okay.

He laid her out on the tiles. Her face was pale, her chest not moving.

Suddenly, more people burst into the room. Seth covered January’s body and snarled.

It was Team 52.

Lachlan’s cool gaze moved over January’s wet, limp form. “Fuck.”

Seth moved back, tipping her on her side and clearing her airway. “Callie!”

The medic dropped down beside them. “How long was she under?”

“A couple of minutes, maybe. She was still conscious when she went in.”

Callie rolled January onto her back, tipped her chin up, and started resuscitation.

“Come on, baby,” Seth murmured, stroking January’s wet hair. “You can do it, hellcat.”

It felt like an eternity, as Callie did her thing. A cold desolation began to creep into Seth’s gut. He hated seeing January so pale, so deathly still. What if he lost her? Agony tore into him.

Suddenly, January coughed, and liquid came out of her mouth.

As Callie sat back, Seth pulled January into his arms. “God, hellcat—” He heard his voice crack.

“I’m okay.” Her voice was husky.

He held her tight, his face pressed to her wet hair, and she leaned into him. He stroked the sodden strands off her face, and his gaze met Callie’s. Thank you, he mouthed.

Callie smiled and quickly checked January’s pulse.

Nearby, he watched Axel tie up the guard Seth had subdued. Then Axel dragged the woman back into the living room.

“We have all the Knights of Gaia contained,” Lachlan said.

January lifted her head. “The leader of the Knights is Mark Kelleson.” Her voice sounded raw.

“The tech billionaire?” Seth said.

She nodded.

“Shit,” Blair said. “Man’s got resources.”

Suddenly, a helicopter roared overhead. They watched it sweep into view, toward the city. It had clearly taken off from the roof.

Lachlan strode to the window, staring. He touched his ear. “Brooks, I need you to track the helo that just took off from our location.”

“I guess that means the artifact’s gone,” Blair said.

“Kelleson had a scientist here.” January struggled to sit up. “He found a way to amplify the sphere’s effects. They have a plan.”

Seth tilted her head back. “What is it?”

“All I know is they plan to cause Los Angeles to fall.” She stilled. “The scientist was called Dempsey. It sounded like he had a lab here in the house somewhere.”

Lachlan looked at his team. “Let’s find that lab.”

Seth helped January to her feet, and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Let’s get you somewhere where you can rest.”

“No.” A fierce shake of her head. “I’m helping.”

Seth frowned. “January, you almost drowned—”

“But I didn’t. I’m fine. I’m doing this.”

Air hissed out from between Seth’s teeth. “You drive me crazy.”

Her chin lifted. “Get used to it.”

Nearby, Axel chuckled. “It’s good to see you got your head out of your ass, amigo.”

Seth gave Axel the finger.

“Fine. You can help, but you take it easy.” He lowered his voice. “I’ll make you rest later.”

She managed a small smile. “Later. And it had better include orgasms and breakfast.”

He leaned down and brushed his nose against hers. “That can be arranged.”

“Hello? Bad guys to stop,” Blair called out.

SETH KEPT a tight arm around January as they moved through the house, following the rest of Team 52.

She leaned into him. He’d clearly been torn up about hurting her, and her own pain had slipped away.

“Found it!” Blair’s shout echoed down the hall.

They entered the decent-sized room. It had clearly once been a bedroom, but at some point in time had been converted to a lab. The stainless-steel benches gleamed under the lights. She watched Smith kick open a closet, checking inside. Blair was yanking drawers open.

There were several computer screens, displaying images and scans of the sphere.

“Sphere’s not here,” Lachlan said, scowling.

Suddenly, a scraping sound came from a small closet in the corner, followed by a muffled curse.

The team spun, lifting their weapons.

Lachlan strode over and yanked the door open. A terrified Dempsey looked up at them through his wire-framed glasses.

Gripping the scientist’s lab coat, Lachlan dragged him out.

“Talk,” Lachlan growled.

“They made me help them. They…they threatened my family.”

“And paid you a lot of money,” Lachlan said.

The scientist’s gaze dropped and he fidgeted. “I was fascinated by the sphere, but I never wanted to be a part of mass murder.”

“Tell us Kelleson’s plan.”

Dempsey swallowed and nodded. “He had me work out how to amplify the electromagnetic effect of the sphere without needing the second sphere. He wanted exponential plant growth.”

“And you tested it on the Hollywood sign,” Seth said.

Dempsey nodded. “It worked better than we ever imagined.”

January pushed forward, Seth sticking close to her. “I heard you tell Kelleson it still needed more testing.”

The scientist bit his lip. “We can’t control the rate of plant growth yet. That’s why I wanted to do more tests. If Kelleson uses it, and the growth gets out of control… At critical levels, it’ll be impossible to stop the vegetation growth.”

Oh, God. January had visions of out-of-control plants taking over Los Angeles.

“Where is Kelleson headed with the artifact?” Seth asked.

“He wants to destroy L.A. and make a statement to the world.”

Everyone in the room tensed.

“Where’s he headed?” Lachlan asked again.

Dempsey wiped his palms down his lab coat. “Los Angeles is riddled with underground tunnels. His plan is to flood the tunnels with plant growth, undermine the city’s foundations, and let it collapse in on itself.”

Silence fell. January looked at the man, horrified.

“Where has he gone?” Lachlan said darkly. “Don’t make me ask you again.”

“Little Tokyo.”

“Why?” Lachlan shook Dempsey.

Terror was etched on the scientist’s face. “There’s a new train tunnel being built there. He plans to direct the vegetation down into the tunnels.”

“What vegetation?” Blair asked.

“There’s a rooftop Japanese garden in Little Tokyo.”

“Let’s go.” Lachlan spun Dempsey, tying the man’s wrists with zip ties. He then tied the man to the bench. “Cops will be here soon to pick you up.”

Dempsey’s chin dropped to his chest. “Stop him. Please.”

Lachlan lifted his chin and the team moved. Clutching Seth’s hand, January jogged with the team out of the house.

They moved down the curved sweep of the driveway, and on the street she spotted a sleek, black truck.

“Callie, I want you to give January a thorough check,” Seth ordered, as Lachlan opened the side door of the truck.

“I’m okay.” January eyed the interior. Wow, these guys didn’t mess around. The place was Mission Control on wheels.

Ice-blue eyes met hers. “Please.”

Warmth filled her chest. How could she say no to that? She nodded.

They all settled into the truck, with Smith behind the wheel, and pulled onto the road. Callie quickly checked January’s vitals and gave her a clean bill of health. The medic also found her a clean set of clothes.

“I could kiss you,” January said.

Callie grinned. “Seth might get upset.” She held up a small container. “You’ll need this as well. A new earpiece.”

January changed at the back of the truck. Everyone was turned away, but as she pulled the black T-shirt over her head, Axel was the first to turn his head. He shot her a charming smile that fogged her brain a little. Damn, the man had a sexy grin. She took a second to slip the tiny earpiece in her ear.

She settled in a seat, listening as the team talked and planned, and they sped toward Little Tokyo.

As they got closer, Brooks’ voice filled the truck. “Guys, we have a problem.”

“What?” Lachlan asked.

“There are reports coming in about a disturbance in Little Tokyo.”

They leaned forward to look at the screens. A male reporter with a square jaw and a grave expression appeared.

“No one knows what’s happening,” the reporter shouted. “This is unbelievable.”

Behind the reporter, plants were growing down the side of a tall building.

“Oh, no.” January gripped the armrests of her seat. Kelleson had already started using the sphere.

Thick vines were flowing over the side of the building, moving fast. As she watched, pink blooms unfurled.

“Shit,” Seth muttered.

“Smith, get us closer,” Lachlan said. “We need to find that sphere.”

But soon, the traffic increased and the truck ground to a halt. January leaned over to look out the window. Cars were trying to speed away from Little Tokyo. The roads were clogged with panicked people, and on the sidewalk, people were sprinting away and screaming.

Smith finally pulled over. “We’ll get there faster on foot.”

Lachlan nodded and opened the side door.

“Stay close to me,” Seth told her.

She nodded, and together the team moved down the street. Their strides were fast and filled with purpose, and with their all-black gear and rifles, people quickly got out of their way. They passed a street that was covered in red lanterns strung between the buildings.

They turned a corner of one building, and January gasped.

The street ahead was filled with teeming greenery. It had flowed down the side of one building and was traveling down the street, consuming cars. The street was alive with green. Several vines were wriggling like snakes.

“Fuck me,” Smith ground out.

A crack of a shot split the air. A bullet hit the wall close to Lachlan.

“Sniper,” Blair called out.

Team 52 dived to the ground. January barely hit the pavement, before Seth covered her body with his.

More shots slammed into the ground around them, and January fought not to scream. A second later, Seth’s weight lifted off her. She heard gunfire all around, and lifted her head just enough to peek.

Team 52 was all up on their knees, firing up at a nearby building.

“Got him,” Blair said.

A body fell out of a window, a man’s scream echoing above the chaos filling the street.

“No, it was me, chica,” Axel said.

“In your dreams, Diaz,” Blair said.

Everyone rose.

“We need to find the artifact,” Lachlan said.

But right now, the vines and bushes were moving toward them, fast.

“Grenades,” Smith said.

Lachlan frowned at the man. “What?”

“Use the grenades to cut a path through the vegetation. It should kill it, or at least, slow it down.”

They all nodded, aiming their CXM rifles. There were a number of muffled thumps as they fired.

Several grenades sailed through the air, landing in the middle of the incoming greenery.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

January slapped her hands over her ears as flames ignited, and watched the vegetation in the center of the heaving mass wither. But at the edges of the street, the vines kept coming.

At that moment, armed Knights of Gaia soldiers poured out of a nearby building.

“Shit.” Seth swiveled. He looked at January. “Stay here.”

She nodded and watched Team 52 engage. The team walked forward, firing on the incoming fighters. Wow, they were something to watch.

Seth spun her to face him. “Promise me. You’ll stay here and stay out of the fight.”

She nodded again. “Stay safe, 007. I’ve decided I’m going to keep you, and I don’t want that fabulous body of yours hurt.”

He smiled and pressed a hard kiss to her lips. Then he was gone, striding to join his teammates.

She watched as he joined the fight. Soon, Team 52 got close to the fighters and switched to hand-to-hand combat. Seth fought with a fluid grace, but packed a hard punch. Her man was a badass.

Her man? January let that settle inside her.

He’d hurt her, but he’d apologized. And he’d rescued her, again and again, and more than once, he’d thrown himself between her and danger.

She could work with that. Especially since she was pretty sure she was falling in love with the guy.

January blew out a breath. And spotted Mark Kelleson.

He was standing in the shadow of a nearby building, watching the fight. Behind him was a construction area, blocked off by temporary fencing. She guessed that was where they were building the new tunnel.

The man held the sphere, and she saw it was linked to some sort of electrical device.

Then he swiveled, and slipped through the fence into the tunnel construction area.

Her chest hitched. Dammit. She glanced back at Team 52. They were still busy fighting.

Shit. Shit. She couldn’t let Kelleson and the sphere get away. Seth was going to kill her.

January darted to the fence, squeezed through the opening, and followed Kelleson.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Seth ducked into cover, then came up, firing at the group of Knights of Gaia fighters.

“These guys are good,” he growled at Lachlan.

Lachlan nodded. “Yeah, too good for fanatic ecoterrorists. Must be hired guns.”

Seth took aim again and fired. The Knight went down with a cry.

“Lachlan, I have LAPD SWAT incoming,” Brooks said through their earpieces.

“Thanks, Brooks,” Lachlan replied.

Seth watched more vegetation spill over the side of a nearby building, like a waterfall of green. It was pretty damn amazing, except for the fact it was going to engulf everything.

“Seth.” Brooks voice. “Standby.”

He frowned. What now?

“Ah, Seth?”

January’s hesitant voice came through his earpiece. Brooks had patched her through. Seth froze, and then touched his ear. “January? Where are you?”

“Well—”

He dragged in a breath. “Tell me.”

“I saw Kelleson with the sphere. He ran into the tunnel construction zone just around the corner from where you are.”

“And where are you now?” Seth asked patiently.

“I’m following him.”

Seth cursed, long and loudly. He saw Lachlan shake his head in sympathy. Clearly, Brooks had patched January through to him as well.

“I’m not stupid,” she bit back. “I’m keeping him in sight, but not letting him see me. But, I was hoping you could get down here fast-ish, 007.”

Seth took another breath. He trusted January. She was smart, and she wouldn’t do anything rash. And she trusted him to come for her.

“Okay, hellcat. Don’t engage. I’m on my way.”

He could almost hear her smile across the line. “Hurry. Uh, and there are lots of plants already growing in here, so watch out.”

Seth met Lachlan’s gaze. “Let’s move.”

His friend nodded and barked out orders to the team.

Together, the team pulled back. They ran from cover to cover, and rounded the corner. He spotted the construction zone ahead.

“Kelleson is in the tunnel with the sphere,” Seth told them.

“How do you know?” Blair asked.

“January’s following him.”

Blair shook her head, grinning. “Damn, I like her.”

Lachlan was smiling. “I’m just glad someone else is suffering the hassle I went through when Rowan was in danger.”

Seth ignored them. They moved through the fence and fanned out. Several pieces of construction equipment filled the area, and one small digger was still running. The workers had evacuated quickly.

Ahead, the mouth of the large tunnel loomed.

Seth noticed a tangle of vines and plants already on the right-hand side, running into the tunnel. He lifted his weapon and entered the darkness.

The inside of the tunnel was lit with lights for the workers. His team’s boots made the quietest steps on the concrete. Then he heard gunfire ahead, and his chest locked.

He touched his ear. “January?”

“I’m okay. Kelleson spotted me. Tell me you’re close.”

“I’m close.”

He picked up speed. A side tunnel speared off to the left, shrouded in darkness. He ignored it, keeping his gaze focused on the main tunnel.

“Hellcat, hang on a second—”

Vegetation burst out of the side tunnel.

“Watch out!” Lachlan yelled.

“Fuck.” Blair whipped her rifle around and fired.

Seth opened fire. Damn, this plant growth was even more out of control. The entire team fired, lighting up the tunnel.

Suddenly, a vine snapped out and curled around Seth’s ankles. It shifted, almost pulling him off his feet. He yanked his knife off his belt, stooped down, and slashed the vine away.

When he looked over, Lachlan was covered in vines, struggling against them. Blair and Callie were back to back, firing at anything that moved. Axel was slashing with two knives, his moves fast and deadly. Smith reached over one shoulder and pulled something off his back.

What the hell? Seth frowned at the unfamiliar-looking weapon.

Smith aimed it and suddenly flames spewed everywhere.

Seth held a palm up against the wave of heat. Damn, it was a flamethrower.

As Smith moved the weapon from side to side, the vegetation burned and shrank. Seth raced over to Lachlan, cutting him free.

Seth stepped back, both of them eyeing Smith’s flamethrower. The big man shut it off.

“Thanks, Smith,” Lachlan said.

“Only you would bring a flamethrower to a gunfight,” Seth said.

Smith shrugged. “Ty asked me to test it out.”

“I want to test it out.” Blair eyed the weapon.

Then an angry feminine voice echoed from deeper in the tunnel. It was followed by a man’s shout.

January.

Seth broke into a run.

“YOU HAVE TO STOP THIS,” January shouted.

Kelleson held up the sphere. It was no longer connected to the amplifying device, but that hadn’t slowed down the vegetation still filling the tunnel.

The man backed up a few steps, moving closer to a large boring machine ahead. Other construction equipment also sat nearby.

Come on, Seth. Hurry it up.

“This is the right thing to do.” Kelleson’s impassioned voice echoed in the tunnel. “I’m saving the world for the generations to come.”

“The artifact is too dangerous.” She could see the vines twisting together. They were increasing in speed.

“L.A. is just the beginning. I’ll bring down cities all across the country, and then the world. We’ll let the farms and forests grow.”

“You’ll throw the entire country into chaos.”

Any time now, 007. Where the hell was Team 52?

“But something new will rise from the ashes,” Kelleson insisted.

January sidled closer to some of the construction equipment. She saw a crate of small pieces of pipe and reached in slowly. She pulled one out, testing its weight.

Then she darted toward Kelleson, hefting the pipe overhead.

His eyes widened. “What the—?”

She swung. The pipe cracked into his shoulder and he cried out.

As January pulled back, he rushed at her. He shoved her, and she slammed into the concrete wall. The wind rushed out of her.

“You won’t stop me,” he said.

She looked up and met his eyes. They were obsessed, gleaming with zeal.

For a second, fear hit her. But January stiffened. She’d had her life stolen from her once before, and it wasn’t happening again. She was falling in love with a man who fought to keep people safe every day. He’d fought all his life, seen the worst things people did to each other and suffered for it. She wasn’t letting this asshole mess with her bright future.

January swung the pipe again.

It cracked against Kelleson’s arm and he cried out, dropping the sphere. It rolled slowly across the concrete floor.

“No!” He grabbed a handful of January’s shirt.

They grappled, stumbling down the tunnel. Where the hell was Seth? She prayed he’d arrive any second now. Kelleson spun her around.

That’s when January saw the gaping hole in the darkness ahead.

Her stomach dropped. There was a large shaft leading downward, just a few feet in front of them.

And the sphere was rolling toward it.

“Watch out!” she yelled.

A light lit Kelleson’s eyes. He swung her closer to the edge of the shaft.

One of January’s feet slipped over the edge. She stumbled, clamping her hands onto Kelleson.

He started prying her fingers off him.

She struggled, trying to get her foot back on solid ground.

“You won’t get to see my plan come to fruition.”

“Oh, shut up, Kelleson. You’re a crazy megalomaniac, not a savior or hero. The real heroes are on the way here, and they will stop you. They do hard work every day in order to do the right thing and keep people safe. The right thing for everyone, not just for themselves.”

“Enough.” He shook her violently.

January’s other foot slipped, and she screamed, gripping onto Kelleson.

He was the only thing holding her upright over the shaft. He swore, almost lurching forward and toppling them both over the edge.

Then his eyes widened. January turned her head and spotted the jade sphere rolling toward the edge of the hole.

There was a flash of movement and she saw Team 52 and Seth rushing toward them, weapons up. Thank God.

Kelleson was so focused on the sphere, he didn’t notice them. “No!”

He let January go.

Oh, shit. Her hands were wrenched off him and she dived for the edge.

Her hands hit, one closing over the sphere. But she couldn’t find any purchase. She slipped back into the shaft.

Falling backward, she pulled the sphere to her chest, her free arm windmilling.

“January!” Seth’s face twisted as he sprinted toward her. His shout echoed around her.

Then she fell down into the darkness.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Fucking hell. Seth raced toward the shaft. “January!”

He saw Kelleson drop down on his belly, reaching out as January and the sphere fell into the chasm.

“No!” Kelleson yelled.

Seth didn’t give a shit about the sphere. His chest was locked tight, and all he could see was January falling into the blackness. No. Dammit, no. Pure agony ripped through him. His boots hit the edge.

Arms gripped him on either side, holding him back. He saw Lachlan and Smith. He jerked against them, trying to break free.

“Let me go!” His voice was hoarse.

His gaze locked on January, his heart clenching in his chest.

Suddenly, she managed to grab hold of a narrow scaffolding board that was stretched across the expanse of the shaft. She hung there, swaying.

“Fuck.” The air shuddered out of him.

As he watched, she hauled herself up and clamped her arms and legs onto the board.

Then she sat up and shot them a thumbs up.

“Awesome,” Blair said.

“She’s okay,” Lachlan said.

Blair was clearly impressed, but Seth’s heart was hammering.

“That belongs to me,” Kelleson yelled into the shaft.

“You.” Lachlan, looking very unhappy, took a step toward the tech billionaire.

Kelleson looked up, blinking like he’d only just realized they were there. As he took in Lachlan’s cold stare, his face blanched. His gaze moved to Seth, then the others.

He slowly rose.

Then the crazy fucker jumped.

“Dammit.” Lachlan lurched forward to grab Kelleson, but missed.

Seth hissed out a breath, and his teammates all swore.

They all watched as Kelleson fell. He hit the same scaffold as January, gripping onto it. He sent the plank rocking.

Dammit. Seth watched January shake, desperately trying to hold on to both the bucking piece of wood and the sphere.

Seth watched as Kelleson pushed himself up to stand on the board. He put his arms out for balance, and started walking toward January.

The bastard. Seth’s jaw locked. “Smith.”

“On it.” Smith raised his rifle, staring down the scope.

January stood as well, staring at Kelleson defiantly. She tucked the sphere down the front of her shirt.

“You got a shot?” Seth asked.

Smith shook his head. “Angle’s bad. I might clip January.”

“We need to get down there,” Seth said.

“There’s a ladder over here,” Blair called out, pointing to the edge of the shaft.

Seth ran over and spotted the ladder built into the side of the shaft. It disappeared down into the darkness. He swung his rifle over his shoulder, spun, and started climbing down.

“I’m coming, hellcat,” he yelled.

“Speed it up, 007,” she yelled back.

Seth shook his head. Only January could make him want to smile in the middle of a fucked-up situation like this. Nothing stopped that woman.

He reached the scaffold plank and turned. Kelleson was close to January.

Seth stepped out carefully.

“It won’t take all our weight,” Lachlan said from behind him.

Seth didn’t care. He kept moving.

“Give it to me!” Kelleson’s shout echoed off the shaft walls.

The man lunged at January. She jumped back, setting the plank rocking.

Shit. Seth bent his knees to keep his balance.

Looking through the gloom, he spotted another scaffold plank nearby. It was several feet away.

January was backing up. He watched her turn her head, eyeing the second plank. Then she looked back at Kelleson, who was closing in on her.

Ah, no. Seth knew in his gut what she had planned. He picked up speed.

Kelleson got closer, swinging at her again.

January ducked, turned, and then leaped into the air.

Seth’s heart stopped. He held his breath, watching as she hit the other plank, belly first.

Kelleson was gearing up to jump after her.

There was the deafening crack of a gunshot.

Kelleson’s body flinched and he cried out. He jumped, but his leap was off, courtesy of Smith’s bullet. He smacked into the plank, just a few feet from January, and barely managed to grab on. He was dangling beneath the plank, holding on by a few fingers.

“You’re condemning the world to destruction.” Kelleson called out.

January rolled her eyes. “Enough.”

Then Kelleson started to slip. His eyes widened, and then he fell. He dropped, screaming into the darkness that swallowed him.

Seth didn’t feel a hell of a lot of sympathy. He moved in line with his woman. “January.”

She shot him a smile. “Hey, 007. About time you made an appearance.”

“You okay?”

“Having a great time.”

He shook his head, but then January’s plank moved, and she lost her balance.

Seth sucked in a breath and watched as she dropped to her belly, clutching the board. He turned his head and saw that vegetation was swarming down the side of the shaft. It had dislodged one end of January’s scaffolding.

“January, hold on!”

Her head snapped up and their gazes locked.

The end of her plank fell, pushed loose by the vegetation. The plank started to tilt up.

Seth dropped to his knees and reached out a hand. “January, jump.”

She launched herself off her near-vertical board, throwing herself toward him. The falling board smacked into her, slamming the back of her head.

Seth saw instantly that she wasn’t going to make it. She’d miss his plank.

His throat tight, he reached out as far as he could, and shouted her name.

JANUARY STRETCHED OUT A HAND, her gaze locked on Seth’s face. It was twisted with worry and concentration.

Her head was throbbing, blood sliding into one eye, but she kept her focus on Seth.

What she didn’t do was look down into the yawning blackness beneath her.

Their fingers brushed.

But she wasn’t quite close enough.

She fell. Oh, no.

January dropped, her heart in her throat. She heard Seth’s shout and she threw out her arms, but she was too far from the edge to grab onto anything.

Suddenly, vines shot out, circling around her. She jerked to a stop, and her heartbeat was a loud pounding in her ears.

After a few seconds, she examined her surroundings. She was sitting in a little nest of vegetation. She froze. What the hell?

Next to her, a mass of green was flowing down the side of the shaft. Some vines had grown out several feet to catch her. She blew out a breath.

“Shit.” Seth muttered. “Hold on, January. Don’t move.”

A choked laugh burst out of her. “Where would I go, 007?”

“Don’t argue with me right now.” His gaze was glued to her. “The board gave your head a good smack. You okay?”

She had the headache from hell forming, but right now, it was the least of her problems. “I’m fine.”

Seth looked up. “Smith? I need the grappler.”

“Incoming,” Smith called back, his voice a deep rumble.

January shifted slightly and the vines rocked. She instantly stilled. It wouldn’t take much for her to fall through the vegetation. The jade sphere, nestled in her shirt, was cool against her skin, but safe. She gently pushed a vine from around her chest and looked up at Seth on the scaffold plank above her.

That was her man. Rescuing her again.

God, he was handsome. Heroic. And all hers.

Then the vines holding her slipped downward a few inches and dropped a bit. She swallowed her scream.

“Stay calm, January.” Lachlan’s composed voice came from up above. “Stay still.”

She risked a look up, and saw the rest of Team 52 at the edge of the shaft above. Smith threw something toward Seth. The item arced through the air and Seth caught it.

“Hang on, January,” Seth said. “I’m coming to get you.”

“Okay.”

Their gazes met. She trusted him. She knew he’d do anything to save her. And despite her aunt and uncle’s love, no one had cared for her like that since her mother had died.

Seth shot her a faint smile, and lifted the device. It looked like some sort of bulky gun.

The vines dropped again, and a scream clogged January’s throat. She really didn’t want to plunge into darkness and be broken into pieces.

“Seth, whatever you have planned, do it fast.”

“Give me a sec.”

Then the sound of gunshots echoed from above. Bullets pinged off the concrete nearby.

Team 52 was shouting and returning fire. January knew it had to be the Knights of Gaia fighters.

Seth jerked.

No! Had he been hit? “Seth!”

He staggered along the plank. Her stomach dropped away.

Then he fell.

No. January couldn’t breathe. She felt like a rock was lodged in her chest. She couldn’t lose Seth. Not when she’d just found him. Not when the future was so bright and full of everything she’d ever wanted.

But then Seth twisted midair, lifted his weapon, and fired it.

At the same moment, the vines holding January broke loose and she started to fall. This time, she did scream.

She heard a whizz and a thump. Suddenly, Seth’s body slammed into hers, and they swung through the air. His arms wrapped tightly around her.

“My God, Seth.”

“Hold on.”

She clamped her arms and legs around him as they swung across the chasm.

That’s when she saw the line extending from the gun he held. It was some sort of grappling gun.

They swung toward the wall of the shaft. Seth lifted his feet and his boots hit the concrete, absorbing the impact.

Then they just hung there.

“Wow,” she breathed.

Seth lowered his head and kissed her—hard.

“Is this another of Ty’s gadgets?” she asked, breathlessly.

“Actually, no. The design was done by an ex-SEAL, who works for a security outfit in Denver.” Seth paused. “They are allies, of a sort. We traded his grappling gun design for some of our gear.”

Then she remembered. “My God, were you shot?”

“Nicked my vest. I’m fine.”

She blew out a breath. “Thank God.”

Then he pressed his forehead to hers. “James, I need you to know that I’m falling in love with you.”

Oh. Warmth flowed over her. “Really?”

“Really. I think you’re amazing. I love the way you embrace life, your never-ending energy and vitality. Plus you’re gorgeous and you never let me get away with anything.”

She felt like bubbles were popping inside her. “You like arguing with me.”

“I do. And I want to do it for the rest of my life. Fair warning, I’ll probably screw this up from time to time.”

She smiled. “Then you’ll have to get good at groveling.”

He smiled back. “I plan to spend my time making you happy. I can be pretty determined when I set my mind to something.”

“We’ll drive each other crazy,” she said. “We’ll fight.”

He smiled. “I hope so.”

“We’ll do crazy stuff, like confess our feelings while dangling over a giant hole.”

Seth’s smile dissolved. “We will never do this again. You aren’t going to be in danger ever again.”

She gave him a quick grin. “Okay. But if I am…I know my man will come and rescue me.”

“Always.” He kissed her again.

He pressed something on the grappling gun, and they started moving upward as the rope retracted.

Moments later, Lachlan and Smith were there, pulling them over the edge of the shaft.

January was just damn happy to feel solid ground under her shoes. She turned and saw the Knights of Gaia soldiers nearby, all on their knees and tied up. Blair and Callie were standing guard over them.

“The sphere?” Lachlan asked.

As Seth slid an arm around her, she pulled the sphere out of her shirt and held it up.

“Best resting place in town,” Axel drawled, winking at January.

Seth’s arm tightened, and he scowled at his friend. January just shook her head.

Lachlan nodded his head at the prisoners. “Brooks has contacted the LAPD to come and collect these guys.”

“It’s over,” January said.

Seth pulled her closer, his fingers gently probing the lump on the back of her head. “For them, it’s over. For us, it’s time to head home.”

Home. They still had some details to work out, but she liked the sound of that.

CHAPTER TWENTY

They were safely back on the X8, heading back to Nevada. Seth sat in his seat, January nestled in his lap. He kept one hand tangled in her hair, and had no desire to let her loose.

He wanted her close. Where he knew she was one-hundred-percent safe.

He tugged her head back and kissed her. Again.

Nearby, Axel made a gagging noise. “I love the ladies, in all their infinite varieties and flavors, but you guys…”

Seth didn’t give a shit. Nearby, Callie was grinning, and even Lachlan had a faint smile on his face. Smith had his eyes closed, but he was smiling, too.

“I never thought I’d see the day when Seth Lynch fell in love,” Lachlan said.

Seth stared into January’s eyes. “Believe it.”

Her face was soft and warm, her eyes glowing. All for him.

He was one lucky bastard.

“Time to let me poke and prod you.” Callie shifted, sitting beside them. She opened her medical kit. Then she shone her penlight in January’s eyes.

Seth gently touched the egg on her head. “How’s your head?”

“I’m fine,” she said.

Callie clicked off the light. “Any dizziness? Blurred vision?”

“No.”

The medic’s face turned serious. “I want to do a full check when we get back to base.”

Callie was quick to smile, but there were times when her serious side rose to the surface. She could be fierce, particularly if someone was injured.

January sighed, but nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” January tossed Callie a salute that made them all wince. “But I’m taking a shower, first.”

“Fine,” Callie muttered.

Nearby, the jade sphere rested on a table between the seats. They’d decided it didn’t need to be kept in a containment box.

“It’s going to be locked away,” January murmured.

“Ty will do some more tests on both of the spheres,” Seth said. “They have lots of potential non-lethal applications that could be beneficial.”

She snuggled deeper into him and Seth held her tight. The LAPD were busy charging the Knights of Gaia soldiers and dismantling the L.A. cell. Kelleson’s body had been recovered from the shaft. Not to mention clearing Little Tokyo of vegetation.

Once the sphere was removed from the area, the plant growth had died down. And from what she’d heard, local law enforcement was using Smith’s flamethrower idea to remove the vegetation.

But most importantly, with Kelleson gone, the incarcerated Knights were talking. Information about other cells across the country was being handed to the FBI, and information about international cells was being passed to the relevant authorities. It would take some time, but the Knights of Gaia were going down.

“When do you need to get back to your dig?” Seth asked quietly.

A flash of uncertainty crossed her face. “Um…you in a rush to get rid of me?”

He hauled her even closer, so their noses brushed. “I don’t want you to go at all. Stay in Vegas for a bit. Recuperate.”

She smiled. “Well, as long as there’s a sexy guy cooking me breakfast every day.”

“That can be arranged.” He fiddled with her hair. “We’ll talk about where we go next.”

She lifted her hand and cupped his jaw. “You want that? A next?”

“Yes.” He pressed his lips to hers again. “If I had my way, you’d move in with me tomorrow.”

She gasped.

“I was trying to give you time—”

Her fingers clenched on his shirt. “Seth.”

“But now I’m not feeling like waiting.”

“Can I say something?”

“No.”

Her brows drew together. “I can talk if I want to, Lynch.”

“Later.”

“You are so annoying.” She shook her head, but she was smiling.

Soon, they landed back at Area 52.

When they walked into the base, January was holding the artifact. Seth knew she was somewhat sad to let it go.

“There are still so many mysteries about this thing,” she murmured. “And the Snake Kings.”

“I need to debrief with Jonah.” Lachlan nodded and strode off.

Kinsey appeared, all smiles. “I’m so glad you guys are okay.”

“Thanks, Kinsey,” Blair said.

“I know Ty is waiting for the sphere.” Kinsey eyed the artifact with interest. “It’s so pretty.”

“I’m going to shower.” Smith charged past them abruptly, and disappeared down the corridor.

“Well, I’m heading back to Vegas.” Kinsey shot them a wave. “I’ll see you back there.”

She headed out, followed by a chorus of goodbyes.

“Shower?” Seth asked January.

She nodded.

He leaned closer. “How about we borrow the sphere a little bit longer, before you hand it over?”

She shot him a blinding smile. “You have really grown on me, 007.”

“Lucky, because you aren’t getting rid of me.”

He hustled her down to his room. Inside, he took the sphere and tossed it on the bed.

She gasped. “Lynch, that’s a valuable artifact.”

“It’s fine.” He started stripping her clothes off.

Soon, he had her naked, and leaned down to kiss her bare shoulder. She tilted her head to the side and made a humming sound.

Seth backed her into the bathroom, yanking his own shirt over his head. He flicked the shower on until steam was billowing. As he opened his trousers, January’s hands were on his chest, running over his skin.

“You should never wear a shirt,” she murmured.

She didn’t even see his scars. No, that wasn’t right. She saw them, and she liked him just as he was. She took his damn breath away.

Even though Callie was waiting for January and Ty was waiting for the artifact, Seth wanted to take his time and savor her. He pulled her under the water, pressing her up against the tiles. He kissed her deeply, then ran his tongue along her jaw, down her neck, along her collarbone. Then he pulled one nipple into his mouth.

She moaned. “Seth.”

With the water pouring over them, he dropped to his knees, nudging her thighs apart. Her hands clamped in his hair, and Seth set to work. He swiped his tongue over her.

“Oh, God—”

Seth took his time pleasuring her. God, he loved her taste. He licked and sucked, loving every sound she made. He felt her thighs tremble, and her body wind tighter and tighter.

He sucked her clit.

“Oh. Oh.” Her breaths came in pants. “Coming.”

She broke apart, her cries echoing off the tiles.

Seth looked up her beautiful body, watching his woman come, knowing she was his forever.

JANUARY CLUTCHED Seth’s shoulders as he surged up, pressed her against the shower wall, and slid inside her.

Oh. She moaned, need pounding inside her. She wrapped her legs around his waist.

But Seth wasn’t rushing this time. His strokes were slow and deep. Like he wanted to take his time.

“God, I love the feel of you,” he ground out. “So tight, so warm.”

“Love the feel of you, too, Seth. You fill me up completely.”

He groaned, his gaze on her face. “I’ve seen the ugly side of life, January, but you are pure beauty.”

Pleasure shot through her. He trusted her. She knew that. And she knew what a gift it was. One that she’d cherish and protect.

Her second orgasm was growing, all her muscles tightening. Seth’s thrusts increased in speed and power.

“Get there, hellcat,” he growled.

It hit her and she cried out his name. She scratched her nails down his back.

A few seconds later, he planted his cock deep and followed her, groaning as he poured himself inside her.

Then all January could hear was the sounds of their harsh breathing and the falling water. Her eyes fluttered closed. She felt too good to move, even if the water in the shower was beginning to cool.

“I’d be happy to do this for the rest of my life,” Seth murmured.

Her hands clenched tighter on him. “If you think I’m going to complain, you’re wrong.”

He laughed. “You do like to complain.”

She gave him a half-hearted slap on the arm.

“I’m going to ask for a few days off—pending any ancient technology appearing that could cause mass destruction.”

She giggled. “God, I hope that doesn’t happen a lot.”

“I’m going to take you out for dinner. Maybe at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris Casino. We can spend some time at the tables in the new Aurora Casino. Maybe we’ll see a show.” He shut off the water, slid his hands beneath her, then carried her out of the glass enclosure. “Better yet, I might just keep you naked in my bed for a few days.”

She pressed her lips to his neck. “I like the sound of your plan.”

Seth set her down, and she stood there as he got towels and took his time drying her off. Finally, they dressed.

She glanced at the sphere resting on the bed. “I guess we’d better get that to Ty.”

“He’ll be going nuts,” Seth said.

She tucked the sphere close to her side. He grabbed her hand and they headed down to the lab.

As they entered, Ty turned and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “I’ve been waiting for that.” He strode over and snatched the sphere from January.

“Nice to see you, too, Ty,” Seth said. “Yeah, we were in a few tight spots on the mission, but we made it. Thanks.”

January tried to hide her smile.

“You’re breathing.” Ty looked at January, his handsome, imposing face relaxing the tiniest bit. “I’m glad you’re okay, January.”

“Thanks, Ty.”

“Heard you bumped your head. Is that the reason you’ve taken up with this guy?”

She laughed and saw Seth glaring at the scientist. But she could tell he didn’t really mean it.

“Callie is waiting for you in Medical,” Ty said. “Don’t be late for your checkup. That woman is hell on wheels if you don’t follow her orders.”

Leaving the sphere with Ty, Seth led January back to the Medical area down the hall.

“God, I feel good.” She smiled at him.

His lips quirked. “Yeah?”

“My mom would be so happy.” January stopped. “About my job, the artifacts I get to see.” She slid her hands up his chest. “And about the sexy, hot guy I’m falling in love with.”

He pressed his forehead to hers. “Right back at you, hellcat. I’m falling, too, and I’m pretty sure I’m about to happily hit the bottom.”

Her heart clenched. “I feel the same.” She shook her head and laughed. “God, if anyone had told me a few weeks ago that I’d be in love with you, I would have laughed myself sick.”

“Ditto.”

She tightened her hands on his shirt and licked her lips. “Are you scared?”

“Oh yeah.” He gave her a long, soft kiss. “But I know we’ll work this love thing out together, and enjoy every step.”

God, she was definitely in love with this man.

He tugged her into a room filled with medical equipment, and several narrow bunks. Callie looked up from a screen and lifted a hand.

“So, this is your domain?” January asked.

Callie patted a bunk. “My home away from home.”

January sat on the bunk and swung her feet up. As she lay back, she looked up at the high-tech scanner arched over the bed on a flexible arm.

Seth stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest, watching intently.

“I’m going to scan your head,” Callie said, moving the scanner into place.

“I’ve never seen anything like this equipment,” January said.

“Ty developed it. It’s a full-body scanner.”

The machine made a near-silent humming sound. It moved over her body—down to her toes and back up to her head.

Nearby, Callie looked at a screen. January saw a picture of her body appear, glowing different colors.

“All done,” the medic said.

Seth helped January sit up. “I’m making dinner reservations for tomorrow. You’ll need something sexy to wear.”

“Then I’ll need to go shopping.” She grinned at him. “You got a secret romantic side, 007?”

“Yeah. I showed it to you in the shower just before.”

January snorted and Callie groaned.

“Please,” Callie said. “My sex life is nonexistent, so take some pity on me and don’t rub shower sex in my face.” Then the medic stiffened a little.

January straightened, and Seth slid an arm around her shoulders.

God. What now? January pulled in a breath. “Callie?”

“Hang on.” Callie was tapping at the screen, shaking her head.

“What’s wrong, Callie?” Seth demanded.

“Dammit, this can’t be right.” She turned, not meeting their gazes.

January grabbed Seth’s hand, panic setting in. She’d felt like this before, when she’d been waiting to hear about her mother in the hospital.

Callie straightened, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “There’s no concussion. Your head is fine.”

“Okay,” January said, confused. “But?”

“Your hCG hormone levels are elevated.”

“What does that mean?” Seth growled, sounding like he was about to explode.

“January is pregnant.”

Silence filled the medical room.

January went still. “I’m what?”

“Pregnant. It’s very early. And when I say early, I mean really early, but this scanner can detect it.”

January felt all the air solidify in her chest. “I… I…” She looked at Seth. He looked like he’d been punched in the gut. “Callie, that’s impossible. I’m on birth control.” God, would Seth think she’d lied to him? “I haven’t been with anyone but Seth in a really long time. I can’t be pregnant in under a week!”

“Your hormone levels are elevated. And as for your birth control…I think I know what might have caused it to fail.” The medic’s gray gaze swung between them. “I think it was the artifact. Ty told me it appears to increase fertility in all living things, not just plants.”

Shock reverberated through January. “Oh, God.”

She swiveled to look at Seth. His face was blank and his eyes were wide.

“Seth?” She dragged in a breath. She felt like she was going to start hyperventilating.

Suddenly, a smile broke out on his face. “We made a baby.” His tone sounded reverent.

She blinked. He looked…pretty damn happy.

“It’s early days,” Callie said. “But yes, you did.”

Seth placed a palm on January’s belly. “Hell, James, we made a baby.”

January’s muscles relaxed, happiness peeking through her panic. “Seth—”

“I want a girl,” he said. “With thick, brown hair and hazel eyes.”

Callie laughed. “Should be interesting to see you as the father of a teenage girl wanting to date, Seth.”

Seth’s smile evaporated. “Hell.” Then he looked at January. “Boys. I want boys.”

“You’re truly okay about this?” January said. “A week ago, you didn’t do relationships.”

“Looks like I got tamed by my hellcat.” He pulled her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “But it’s your body, January…”

“Shh.” God, she loved him. “I want a girl.”

“Congratulations, you guys,” Callie said.

Seth scooped January into his arms and she let out a small cry. He strode out of Medical, down the corridor, and into the rec room.

The rest of the team was there, sitting around the tables, eating. Everyone looked up.

“What’s wrong?” Lachlan rose from his chair.

“I’m going to be a father,” Seth announced.

There was a stunned silence.

January smiled. “Apparently, I don’t have a concussion, but I do have a bun in the oven.”

“The artifact,” Ty said.

“Oh, hell,” Smith grumbled.

Axel frowned. “Does that mean we all have super-swimmers now?”

“We need to run some more tests,” Ty muttered.

Axel groaned. “Then I’m sticking to my hand until you get your results.”

As the others all started talking, January leaned into Seth. “I love you, Seth.”

He pulled her closer. “I love you, too.”

“You sure we can do this?”

“Absolutely. We’re going to rock at this parent thing. You’ve made me realize that with love and trust, anything is possible.”

He kissed her, and the rest of the room melted away.

God, she was the luckiest woman in the world.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Seth looked into the mirror and straightened the jacket of his suit.

“Ready?” Lachlan stepped out behind him. He was wearing a similar dark suit, white shirt, no tie.

Seth nodded, eager to go. “I’m ready.”

Lachlan smiled. “Seth Lynch, chomping at the bit to get married. The impossible does come true.”

Seth grinned. He was so ready to claim January as his. His woman and the mother of his baby.

It had been several weeks since their return from Los Angeles, and it had thankfully been quiet for Team 52. Seth had taken some days off, and he’d spent every minute of that time with January—most of it in bed.

She’d been down to visit her dig, and he’d gone with her. He’d discovered he loved watching his woman work, and he enjoyed taking photos of her and her team as they worked. He was discovering a new love of taking photos of people and all their expressions.

He’d also set his mind to convincing her to move to Las Vegas and spend the rest of her life with him. When he’d given her an oval-shaped diamond, surrounded by emeralds, she’d quickly snatched it off him and said yes.

So, she was making the move to Las Vegas, and in talks with the university about how she could continue her work. She was even thinking about taking some time off when the baby arrived, and spending some time writing history books. The first one she had planned would be about the Snake Kings.

She’d also told him that she wanted to dedicate the books to her mother.

They’d also spent a lot of time arguing. His woman sure as hell could argue. He grinned. But he enjoyed seducing her out of her tempers.

Lachlan clasped Seth’s shoulder. “I’m happy for you, man.”

“We’re both lucky bastards.” Just months before, they’d both been considered scary and focused, and they’d avoided relationships.

“We sure are,” Lachlan answered.

They left the suite and headed for the elevator.

“You had to pick the Aurora,” Lachlan muttered.

Seth slid his hands in his pockets and smiled. “I wasn’t the one who dived off the roof with my woman and landed in the pool. I like the place.”

Lachlan grunted. “No jokes about Rowan falling off roofs. My heart can’t take it.”

Two women stepped out of a room. Both were wearing short dresses, dangly earrings, and high heels. As they spotted the men, smiles crossed their faces.

“Hello, there,” one of the women purred. “You guys looking for a private party?”

The other woman leaned around her friend. “Want some company?”

Seth jerked a thumb at Lachlan. “He’s taken, and about to stand up with me as I marry the only woman I’ve ever loved. She’s also carrying my baby.”

One woman snapped her fingers. “We were too late.”

The other woman winked. “What a shame.”

“Good luck!” The women headed off with a wave.

Seth and Lachlan stepped into the elevator. It whisked them upward, and soon they stepped out on the rooftop terrace of the Aurora Casino.

Chairs had been set up in neat rows and lanterns were strung up everywhere. Guests milled around. Seth spotted his parents sitting up front. His dad was tugging at the collar of his suit, and Seth’s mother was wearing one of her best dresses. Callie was chatting with them, trying to keep them comfortable. He scanned the rest of the space, seeing that the team was all there, including Jonah, Ty, Nat, and Brooks. There were also several archeology friends of January’s, as well as her aunt, uncle, and cousins. Both the cousins had been icy with Seth over the last few days, clearly protective of January. But slowly they were thawing.

At the end of the aisle stood the celebrant, dressed as Elvis. Seth shook his head. January had insisted that if they were getting married in Vegas, they had to be married by an Elvis impersonator. Seth didn’t care. He’d marry her naked in a shark tank if she wanted.

“Ready?” Lachlan said.

“Absolutely.”

They joined Elvis, standing there waiting, as the string quartet in the corner played soothing music. All the guests sat.

Then there was a pause, and the music changed.

Seth took a deep breath and looked down the end of the aisle. January’s friend Qian came first, her dark hair elegantly styled, and wearing a jade-green dress. She carried a bright bouquet of flowers.

January followed a moment later.

The air caught in Seth’s chest.

She looked gorgeous. She wore a romantic lace dress, with a deep V neckline. It hugged her body before flaring out at her feet, with a tiny train behind it. Her pregnancy wasn’t showing yet, but she was glowing. Her brown hair was pulled up in some sort of elaborate style, with a few delicate wisps escaping to frame her face. She carried a bunch of pretty, colorful flowers that were perfect for her. Bright and vibrant and lively.

Their gazes locked and she grinned. It was a wide, happy smile and they stared at each other as she walked to him.

January finally reached the two men and Elvis. “Hey.”

Seth pulled her close. “Hey.” Then, he cupped one palm over her belly. “Hey, sprout.”

Unable to stop himself, Seth lowered his head and kissed her. He was so grateful that January had busted through his defenses. There was nowhere else he wanted to be.

“Uh, that bit’s supposed to come at the end,” Elvis said.

As the crowd laughed, Seth stepped back. “Carry on.”

“Thank you for coming, everyone,” Elvis called out. “Shall we get the party started?”

Seth and January traded vows in front of their friends and family, the bright sun shining down on them.

“I now pronounce you badass and wife,” Elvis said.

Cheers went up.

Seth swung January into his arms and kissed her, long and deep.

“You’ve already knocked her up, amigo,” Axel called out. “Let your wife breathe.”

His wife. Seth lifted his head. He liked the sound of that.

He looked over at his team. Axel stood with an arm slung over Callie’s shoulder. Rowan was standing arm and arm with Blair. Smith was smiling. Nat was leaning into Brooks, dabbing her eyes. And Jonah was off to the side a little, hands in the pockets of his jacket, a faint smile on his face.

Axel raised a hand. “Now we can get this party started!”

Servers appeared, carrying trays of food and drinks. The string quartet left, and a DJ started playing from the dancefloor set up in one corner of the terrace. Behind them, they had a sparkling view of Las Vegas and the setting sun to the west.

Seth leaned down. “I love you, Mrs. 007.”

January laughed, full-bodied and with all of her energy. “Right back at you, Mr. 007.”

JANUARY FINALLY REALIZED WHAT TRUE, deep-to-the-bone happiness felt like.

She smiled as she watched her friends drinking, laughing, and dancing. Night had fallen, and the terrace glowed with lights from the Strip.

She wandered over to a table set up near the door. Seth had surprised her that morning with a large framed photograph of her mother that he’d organized with January’s aunt.

“She’d be so happy.”

January looked up and saw her aunt at her side.

“I know you were worried that this was sudden, and with the pregnancy—”

Her aunt linked her arm through January’s. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, January. Like he can’t believe how lucky he is. That man, who I will admit is a little intense and frightening, loves you.”

“He does.” January automatically looked around and saw Seth across the terrace with Lachlan. God, the pair of them were handsome in their suits.

“And you him,” her aunt murmured, following her gaze.

“Completely.”

Then her aunt shivered. “At least he’s not quite as scary-looking as his boss.”

“Lachlan is good people,” January assured her.

“It sounds like they all are. Even if they are a little bit secretive about their military work.” Her aunt paused and smiled. “Happy?”

“Happy.”

“And off to Tahiti for your honeymoon?”

January was excited. They had a full week away with no work, no phones, and definitely no bad guys. Just sun, sand, and her man.

She heard a sexy chuckle, and looked over to see Axel flirting with some of her archeology friends. But he soon abandoned them to join Blair and Callie on the dance floor. Smith was sitting at the bar, nursing what looked like bourbon.

She liked seeing Team 52 relax. She understood now just how dangerous their job could be, and how important it was. They were a crucial line of defense.

Rowan approached Lachlan, tugging on his hand and clearly trying to lure him onto the dance floor where Blair and Axel were now dancing up a storm. January looked back at Seth.

All hers. He was so damn handsome and looked mighty fine in his suit. Her own personal 007. She couldn’t wait to rip it off him.

Blair appeared, color in her cheeks. “Phew, I need a drink. Axel has some moves.”

Axel was now pulling a protesting Natalie onto the dance floor. Nat said something to him, her face filled with attitude. Undeterred, Axel’s grin just widened.

“Come on,” Blair said. “I’ll buy you a drink.”

“It’s an open bar.”

“Well, I guess you’re buying, then.”

Blair ordered herself a tequila shot and January a pineapple juice. Blair knocked the shot back.

“Are you tempted to fall in love, Blair?” January asked.

“If it happens—” The woman shrugged a bare shoulder, her unique eyes looking off into the distance. The light glinted off her silver prosthetic eye. “But I won’t compromise. I want the real deal.” She smiled at January. “I’m glad you found it, and I’m glad you give it to Seth. He’s a good man under the cool shell. And you guys are perfect for each other.”

January wrinkled her nose. “Unless we’re fighting.” Which they did. A lot.

Blair nodded. “And you both get off on it. Big time.” She winked. “And I bet the makeup sex is sensational.”

It was. Not that January was planning to share the details.

Callie hurried over, looking amazing in her shimmering, silver-gray dress. She was frowning. “Have you seen Kinsey? I never saw her arrive.”

“No, I haven’t.” January scanned around for the blonde. “But I have been a little preoccupied.”

Blair smiled. “I’ll help you find her, Cal.” Blair gripped January’s arm. “Take good care of him.”

“Absolutely. I’m not taking him away for very long. You’ll get him back soon.”

“Enjoy your honeymoon.”

January laughed. “Oh, don’t worry, I definitely will.”

As the women left, arms wrapped around January from behind. When those familiar long fingers cradled her belly, she smiled. Seth’s heat pressed against her back.

“How’s my son?” Seth murmured in her ear.

“It could be a girl.” By now, they were both over the shock of her pregnancy. Mostly. The surprise had been eclipsed by excitement, mixed with a healthy dose of nerves.

Seth had even gone out and bought them a dozen baby books. The man loved flicking through them.

“And how’s my wife?” He spun her around.

His wife. She loved hearing that. “She’s incandescently happy. I didn’t know I could be this happy.”

His face softened.

“And how’s my husband?” She tilted her head back. Oh yeah, she could tell from his face that he liked her saying that.

“So damn happy.” He lowered his voice. “And looking forward to you in a tiny bikini. I’ve packed my camera and plan to take a lot of naughty photos of you.”

January quivered.

“But right now, I’m ready to have you all to myself.”

“You think we can sneak out?” They had a suite at the casino all to themselves.

“Hell, yes,” he said. “I’m a former spy, remember?”

She slid her arms around his neck. “My own personal spy.”

“Yours forever, hellcat.”

He swept her off her feet and into his arms, kissing her hard. As he walked toward the elevator, their friends and family cheered.

Not very sneaky, but neither of them cared.

Smith

“WE’VE GOT A PROBLEM.”

Blair’s murmured statement made Smith look up from his bourbon. She was nearby, talking to Lachlan.

Smith really didn’t like weddings. He was happy for Seth and January, but Smith had tried matrimony once. He’d been young, and stupid enough to let his high-school girlfriend lead him around by his dick.

Best thing he ever did, getting rid of Lila. Now, he stuck to the occasional fuck with like-minded cocktail waitresses or biker babes. Easy. No complications.

“Kinsey never showed for the wedding,” Blair said.

Smith’s muscles tensed and he swiveled. “What?”

Blair met his gaze. “She texted before the ceremony and said she was running late. There was a last-minute delivery scheduled at the Bunker, and she had to be there. She said she’d be here right after. That was hours ago.”

Smith had unconsciously been looking out for Kinsey all night. Hell, he’d actually been relieved that she clearly hadn’t been able to make it.

Watching beautiful, sweet Kinsey Beck swan around with a sunny smile on her gorgeous face was always a form of torture for Smith. Now, his muscles stretched so tight they hurt.

“And she never showed?” Lachlan said.

Blair shook her head, worry clear on her face.

Callie appeared. “No sign of her.”

“Call her,” Smith said.

“I tried,” Blair said. “No answer.”

“I’ll try again.” Callie held her phone to her ear. They all watched her.

Pick up the phone, Kinsey. Smith’s fingers clenched on his glass.

Callie shook her head. “No answer.”

“I’m going to the Bunker to check it out,” Lachlan said. “Maybe she just got held up.”

Smith stood. “I’m coming.”

“Me too,” said Blair.

“And me.” Callie stepped forward.

Axel appeared, joining the group. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m getting bad vibes.”

“Kinsey never showed,” Smith bit out. “Went to the Bunker for a late delivery, but never made it here.”

“Fuck,” Axel breathed.

“What will we tell Seth?” Blair asked.

Lachlan’s jaw firmed. “He just headed out with January. We aren’t ruining his wedding night. This might be nothing. So we aren’t telling him anything right now.” He turned to talk with Rowan, and Smith watched Lachlan’s woman nod, worry in her eyes.

“I’ll see you when you get back,” Rowan said.

“Let’s go. Now.” Smith didn’t want to waste any more time.

It was a tense ride down in the elevator to the garage. At the team’s SUV, Smith claimed the driver’s seat while the others piled in.

Once Smith hit Las Vegas Boulevard, he put his foot down, heading toward the airport. He did twenty over, desperate to get there.

They passed through the gate, showing their IDs. The SUV’s lights cut across the squat building of the Bunker and the attached aircraft hangar.

There were no vehicles outside, but he saw lights on inside. He hoped beyond hope that she was in there, doing some urgent work.

He cut the engine and the team stepped out of the SUV. As they approached the front door, they all scanned their surroundings.

As they got close, Smith saw that the door to the Bunker was ajar.

Dammit. It was always locked. His chest went solid and he reached back, pulling his SIG Sauer from under his jacket.

The others pulled out their handguns—SIGs, except for Axel who swore by his Glock. Even at a wedding, Team 52 was armed.

With a nod from Lachlan, Smith went first. He kicked open the door and moved inside.

Fucking hell. He froze. He couldn’t breathe.

“Damn,” Lachlan said.

The place was a mess. Filing cabinets had been tipped over, Kinsey’s desk was overturned, and books and papers had been flung all over the floor.

“Stay focused,” Lachlan said in a cool, controlled tone. “Clear the building.”

The team moved in formation, fanning out. Smith went with Lachlan, and they cleared the other rooms. Blair, Axel, and Callie moved to the hangar and the holding cells below.

“Clear.”

“Clear.”

“Clear.”

Smith lowered his gun. There was no sign of Kinsey or anyone else. He felt the blood pounding in his veins like a drum.

Kinsey—delicate, sweet Kinsey. When she smiled, it was like a light shone out of her. She’d watched him. Smith had sure as hell noticed. Once, she’d made a super-cute, drunken pass at him.

It had taken all his willpower to gently turn her down.

She’d avoided him for a few weeks after, but it hadn’t been long before her smile had reappeared. But she still watched him.

And when she wasn’t looking, Smith watched her as well. Oh, he’d looked his fill of her—round ass, long legs, shiny, blonde hair. Hell, even her nose was cute, and the pretty sweep of her collarbones, and her delicate wrists.

Fuck.

Blair moved over to straighten the chair near the desk. Kinsey loved that stupid pink, ergonomic chair.

Then Blair went still. “No.”

Gut curdling, Smith pushed forward. There was blood splattered on the floor.

No. He tried to pull in air, feeling dizzy. No.

Callie knelt. “It’s not enough blood to have killed her. If it is hers.”

“Someone took her,” Smith growled. “The fucker is a dead man.”

“Lachlan,” Axel called out from near the door.

There was a small shelf, where Kinsey kept a bowl of candy. She stocked it with all their favorites. Now, there was a cell phone and a note sitting beside it.

They crowded around, and Lachlan lifted it with his gloved left arm.

We have something of yours, and you have something we want. We propose a trade. Wait for our call.

There was a strange logo at the bottom. A circular, bird-like design.

All Smith could hear was a roaring in his ears. Some bastards had Kinsey.

Smith turned and slammed his fist into the wall. It plowed through the drywall with a puff of dust.

“Cool it.” Lachlan’s golden gaze was no longer cool. The man was pissed, but was keeping a tight hold on it.

“We have to find her,” Smith growled.

“We will,” Lachlan said. “Axel, lock up the Bunker. Blair, call Brooks now, and tell him what’s going on. We’ll use my condo as a base of operations.” Lachlan looked at each of them. “We’re going to find her and get her back.” Lachlan’s gaze landed on Smith’s for an extra second. “We’re going to find her.”

And they’d make whoever had done this pay. Smith’s fingers curled, his knuckles cracking.

Wherever you are, Kinsey, hold the fuck on.

I hope you enjoyed January and Seth’s story!

Team 52 continues with Smith’s story, Mission: Her Security, as he rushes to rescue the kidnapped Kinsey. Read on for a preview.

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PREVIEW - MISSION: HER SECURITY

She was running for her life.

Kinsey Beck’s bare feet slapped on the pavement of the dirty alley. Night closed in all around her, massive warehouses looming in the darkness.

Her gut told her she was likely still in Las Vegas, in some industrial area, but she had no real idea where her captors had taken her. They’d hit her so hard when they snatched her that she’d blacked out.

She held back the sob trying to well up in her chest. Her face was one massive throb, and she could only see out of one eye…barely. The other was swollen closed.

A sharp pain speared through her foot. Kinsey winced, but kept running. There were no lights on in any of the warehouses. No opportunities for sanctuary. Just locked roller doors and barred windows. The only sound she could hear was the echo of her harsh breathing.

A shout sounded behind her and her pulse spiked. They were coming.

She pushed for more speed, ignoring the rough ground biting into her feet. She’d known the potential hazards when she’d taken her job. Working for a covert, black ops team carried some risk, even when she was simply an office manager. She ran logistics for Team 52 here in Las Vegas. Her office was a squat, concrete building called the Bunker, out in a quiet corner of McCarran Airport.

She was no one special. Unlike the badasses of Team 52, she didn’t carry an assault rifle, or fly off to rescue people, or safeguard and secure pieces of ancient technology.

That was why the team existed. After signing a stack of confidentiality agreements, she’d learned the historians had some things wrong. In the past, humans had been more advanced than most people knew, and had developed some fascinating, and often dangerous, technology.

When one of those artifacts resurfaced, Team 52 came in.

Kinsey was proud of her job, loved what she did.

Dragging in air, she rounded a corner. Keep running, Kinsey.

She’d escaped Sugarview, Tennessee, and the trailer she’d grown up in, her drunken daddy, and her bitter, dried-up mama. Kinsey had come to the bright lights of Las Vegas with dreams of being a showgirl. A star, with her name up in lights.

Except she’d been two inches too short. So what if her dreams had been crushed? She was a survivor. She certainly hadn’t been planning to go back to Tennessee. There was nothing there for her anymore.

She stumbled over something in the dark alley and almost fell, but quickly righted herself. Like she always did, she picked herself up and kept moving forward.

Instead of heading home with her tail between her legs, she’d worked hard and eventually found a job she loved. A team she loved working with. Especially one big, tall, rugged former Navy SEAL and mountain man.

The voices behind her were getting louder. Her throat tightened.

“There she is!”

Kinsey sucked back another sob. Faster. Go faster.

Then she tripped.

She crashed to the ground, falling onto her knees and hands. Her palms scraped on the rough pavement, and she felt blood trickling down one knee.

She leaped up. She had to keep running.

Then she heard noises ahead of her. Was that music? A burst of adrenaline filled her, and she barreled around another corner and onto a wider street.

Ahead, she spotted a bar nestled in among the industrial buildings. It looked pretty rough, but there was light spilling out from a grimy window. A row of Harleys was parked out front.

She sprinted toward the door. Definitely a biker bar.

She was only feet away from the door when arms closed around her from behind and lifted her off the ground.

No! She fought and kicked.

She saw people inside glance up and look out. Grizzled, bearded faces. No one came to help her.

“Settle down,” a man’s voice ground in her ear.

Hell, no. Instead, she fought harder.

“Quit it.” A fist slammed into her head.

Pain exploded and Kinsey cried out. Dazed, she sagged against her captor. The man turned, and she spotted a second man standing in the shadows.

A second later, she was tossed over a hard shoulder. The men began walking back to the warehouse she’d just escaped from.

Dejection filled her. She was trapped, and it didn’t matter how much she fought, she couldn’t escape.

The thought reminded her of something her mama had repeatedly told her—that she’d never break free, never get away.

You may have inherited my looks, girl, but you’re a Beck. Good for nothing. Going nowhere. You’ll end up some man’s punching bag, alone and shriveled up.

Kinsey closed her eyes. Well, technically eye, singular since one was already swollen shut. Panic clawed at her chest, and instantly her mind went to the one thing that soothed her, comforted her.

The man of her dreams. Smith Creed.

Big, quiet Smith. Six foot four, broad shoulders, trim hips, long, long legs.

Her muscles relaxed a little. He was usually in jeans, ones so faded that they cupped his firm ass lovingly, and made a woman look and fantasize. He had dirty-blond hair—thick hair with strands of so many different colors. She’d tried to name them all—brown, gold, platinum, whiskey, honey, chestnut, wheat, chocolate. He also had a sexy beard that was shades darker than his hair. She often wondered what it would feel like against her skin.

Smith was everything Kinsey had ever wanted. A strong man, with a code, who fought for his country. A man who would never get sloppy drunk, knock a woman around, or shout at a kid.

Of course, he wasn’t interested in her. She got it. He was tough, gorgeous, and badass, and had spent his life protecting others.

She was nothing.

The men stepped back into the warehouse, their bootsteps echoing on the concrete.

Lights were on in one corner of the space, with a few camp chairs set up where her captors were playing cards.

The man carrying her set her down, and dragged her through a door and into a small bathroom. It wasn’t much. Dirty toilet, single sink, and cracked tiles. She heard the clink of handcuffs and felt the cool steel on her wrist. A second later, he attached the handcuffs to the pipes under the sink and turned to leave.

He paused in the doorway. “You run again, I’ll break your legs.”

He slammed the door closed behind him, cutting off the light.

And Kinsey sat there in the darkness, alone, on her knees on the dirty tiles.

Looked like her mama was right.

SMITH CREED WAS ANGRY.

He paced the computer room at the Area 52 base. He hadn’t slept much during the two days since Kinsey had been kidnapped.

He turned and stared at the cellphone on the high counter in the center of the room. The bastards who snatched her had left it, along with a note saying that they’d taken her.

They’d also said they’d call with their demands. So why the fuck hadn’t they called?

A muscle ticked in his jaw and he wrestled with the urge to punch something.

Fuck.

He pivoted, well aware that his teammates were watching him warily. His team leader Lachlan was staying close, prepared to contain him if he lost his shit. His teammate Axel wasn’t far away, either. The former Special Forces Marine and Army Delta Force soldiers could probably take Smith together. Not to mention, one of Lachlan’s arms was a high-tech prosthetic—strong and deadly. But Smith was big, well-trained, and mad as fuck. It would be messy.

Smith started pacing again. He was trying hard to keep his anger under control. But his damn head kept torturing him with images of what might be happening to Kinsey. Sweet, delicate Kinsey. Always smiling that megawatt smile that could stop traffic. Shit, if they’d hurt one strand of blonde hair on her head…

Brooks, their computer geek and comms guru, groaned and leaned against the counter. He looked exhausted. He’d been running searches for two days straight, trying to work out who had taken Kinsey. The man’s rumpled T-shirt had a picture of Darth Vader on it, with the words “Warning, choking hazard” written beneath the image. Brooks dropped his chin into his hand, the tattoos on his muscular arm flexing. He might be a geek, but the former Navy Intelligence officer was fit and in shape.

Data scrolled across all the screens on the wall. Brooks had searches going all over the place. Smith had spent several hours helping Brooks comb through the Bunker’s security footage.

But they hadn’t found anything that had helped them. The men who snatched her had come prepared, wearing balaclavas and using a stolen car they’d later abandoned. There was nothing on video that could identify them.

Images of the Bunker flashed like photos through Smith’s brain. The overturned furniture, the files strewn around, the blood on the carpet.

“Why haven’t they called?” Smith growled. He needed action, craved it.

He’d grown up in the Colorado mountains, hunting and tracking with his dad. Smith preferred being outdoors. He preferred doing, not sitting on his ass waiting.

“Patience.” Lachlan was always the voice of reason.

“Fuck patience.” Smith kicked the counter.

Axel crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. “We’re going to find her.”

“Not sitting around here, we won’t,” Smith ground out.

The computer room doors slid open, and a tall, African-American man strode in, his white lab coat flowing around his muscular body. Dr. Ty Sampson ran the lab at the base. The former DARPA scientist had short, dark hair, a goatee, and a genius-level IQ. He also had an ornery personality, was a medical doctor as well, and spent most of his time inventing cutting-edge tech for the team to use.

Lachlan straightened. “What have you got, Ty?”

“The blood at the Bunker wasn’t Kinsey’s.”

“She fought back.” Smith’s lips curved into a smile. She had to have been scared, but she’d fought them. Then his smile faded. But she wasn’t a trained soldier. She could have been hurt in the process.

All of a sudden, the cellphone on the counter top rang.

They all froze. Smith stared at it, his heart pounding.

The doors opened again and two athletic women ran inside. The taller woman was Team 52’s second in command, Blair. Her blonde ponytail swinging behind her and her tank top displayed her toned arms. Beside her, their team medic Callie was dark to Blair’s light. With her Native Hawaiian heritage, she had straight, black hair and a slimmer build.

Blair charged forward and grabbed Smith’s hand. He met her gaze—one blue eye and one silver prosthetic. She was as tough as nails, but she had a soft spot that she kept well protected. He knew she was just as worried about Kinsey as he was.

Lachlan nodded at Brooks.

Brooks swiped something on his tablet, then touched the phone.

“We have something that belongs to you.” The voice sounded like a robot, altered by a voice changer.

Brooks tapped his tablet’s screen, no doubt scrambling to trace the call.

“Is Kinsey okay?” Lachlan asked.

“She’s alive. If you want her to stay that way, you need to do exactly as we instruct.”

Lachlan pressed his hands to the counter. “We’re listening.” His voice was calm, but Smith knew him well enough to know that his boss was pissed.

“You will deliver a device to us. In return, we will give you the woman.”

Smith clenched his teeth together so hard he was sure his jaw was about to crack. The woman. Like she was just a fucking bargaining chip.

“I want proof that she’s alive,” Smith said.

Lachlan shot him an annoyed look.

“Don’t listen to them.” Kinsey’s voice. “Don’t give them anything!”

Smith surged forward, like he could reach through the phone and grab her. Blair and Axel gripped his arms, holding him back.

“We want an artifact that was recovered from Tibet,” the robot voice intoned.

Lachlan’s head snapped up. “I don’t know what—”

“You do know, Commander Hunter. Don’t play games with us. Bring it to the Pinnacle Industrial Park in Las Vegas. Warehouse 112. You have exactly twelve hours, or we’ll kill her.”

The line went dead.

Lachlan spun. “Brooks? You trace the call?”

The man shook his head. “Wasn’t long enough.”

“Check out that address,” Lachlan ordered.

“Already on it.”

Lachlan speared Smith with a sharp look. “You got a grip, Creed?”

“No.” Smith breathed deeply. “But I’m holding. I want Kinsey back.”

Something worked through Lachlan’s golden eyes. “You and Kinsey—?”

Smith shook his head. “I just want her back safely.”

“It’s all right, big guy,” Blair said. “We’ve all seen you watching her.”

Smith had watched Lachlan and their other teammate Seth fall in love recently. Seth was still on his honeymoon. The team had given both men a lot of good-natured shit about it. They all had fucking happy endings in their heads.

But Smith knew not everyone got happy endings. His bitch of an ex-wife had seared that particular lesson into him.

“I want Kinsey back safely, that’s all.” That’s all he’d let it be.

“Got the address,” Brooks said. “The industrial park is in northern Vegas. Near Nellis Air Force Base. Warehouse is empty. Up for lease.”

“What’s this artifact?” Axel asked.

Lachlan sighed. “I have no fucking clue. Do you know how many things are stored in the warehouse? Some from well before our time. Call Nat in.”

Moments later, there was the click of heels outside, and a dark-haired woman entered. The Team 52 archeologist, Dr. Natalie Blackwell, always looked like she’d just stepped off a catwalk. Today, her fitted skirt was red, and her shirt a creamy white. Her black hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, framing a face that hinted at Asian ancestry.

“You got a call?” Her voice held a soft Australian accent. “Is Kinsey okay?”

“She’s alive,” Lachlan said. “Kidnappers want a device from Tibet.”

Nat’s face tightened.

“What is it?” Smith asked.

“It’s a sound-producing device. It looks like an instrument.”

“Pretty sure these assholes don’t want to make music,” Smith said.

“It’s ancient levitation technology,” Nat said.

Smith crossed his arms. “It’s what?”

“Tibetan monks have known for centuries how to use sound to levitate large objects.”

“Shit, this job never gets old,” Axel muttered. “I’ll say the obligatory ‘you can’t be serious?’”

Nat shot him a look. “There are several ancient documents that talk about past civilizations using sound to move large blocks. It’s been a theory on how the Egyptians managed to build things as vast as the pyramids for years.”

Axel snorted. “But it’s wrong, right?” He straightened. “Right? They used mud ramps.”

Nat lifted a slim shoulder. “We don’t know. There are plenty of theories, but a mud ramp large enough to build the Great Pyramid would have to have been several times larger than the pyramid itself, and an engineering feat all of its own.”

Axel leaned against the bench. “Damn.”

“Levitation is a real thing?” Blair asked.

Nat nodded. “Acoustic levitation is very real. Utilizing the correct sound waves, you can suspend an object in the air. I could go into detail about standing waves, and nodes—”

Lachlan held up a hand. “Please don’t.”

A grin flickered briefly over the archeologist’s face. “NASA’s been experimenting with anti-gravity for years. Scientists in Japan successfully levitated a metal screw. Scientists in France have levitated droplets of water. In China, a team managed to levitate small animals—ants and tiny fish—without harming them.”

“Okay, so only small stuff,” Lachlan said.

“Right. But, our more advanced ancestors knew how to levitate much larger things,” Nat added. “Like blocks of stone weighing tons. I’ve read an account by an Arabic historian describing the ancient Egyptians using a metal rod to strike stone, create sound, and levitate large rocks.”

“Wow,” Callie murmured.

“Even in the Bible, it mentions the sound of trumpets bringing down the walls of Jericho.”

“So, the Tibetan device?” Smith prompted.

“The knowledge of sound levitation was passed down and protected by monks in Tibet. In the 1930s, a Swedish doctor was visiting in Tibet. The monks allowed him to witness them using instruments to levitate huge rocks up a cliff face. Hundreds of feet up.” Nat tucked a strand of dark hair back behind her ear. “We have one of those devices. Unfortunately, the Swedish doctor shared his amazing experience with others, and it was about the same time that a certain man in Germany had pseudo-archeologists searching the world for ancient objects of power.”

“Shit,” Lachlan said.

Nat nodded. “Yes. The Nazis made a play to get their hands on the levitation devices, but the U.S. government sent a team in to protect the monks. The monks hid or destroyed their instruments, and gave one to the U.S. team.”

“So it’s dangerous?” Blair asked.

“It could be,” Nat answered. “Depending how it’s used.”

Smith looked back at the screens. “And we have no idea who these bastards are?”

“How the hell do they know about us?” Blair added, frowning. “And the artifact.”

“Will Grayson approve the trade?” Smith asked Lachlan.

Jonah Grayson was the Director of Team 52. His background was a bit of a mystery, but Smith knew the guy wore a suit like a second skin, and navigated Washington politics like a pro. Still, something about the man told Smith that he could handle himself in a back alley as well.

Lachlan drew in a deep breath. “No chance in hell.”

Smith cursed. “So, we just throw Kinsey under a fucking bus.”

“I didn’t say that—”

“I won’t approve handing a dangerous piece of ancient technology over to criminals,” a deep voice drawled.

Smith turned his head and watched the man himself stride into the room.

The big boss wore dark trousers and a snow-white shirt that Smith suspected cost as much as Smith’s entire wardrobe of jeans and T-shirts. He had coal-black hair, piercing green eyes, bronze skin, and a sharp face Smith guessed women would find appealing.

Smith’s hands curled into fists.

“But I will approve a rescue mission,” Jonah said.

Air shuddered out of Smith.

The director looked at Ty. “You have six hours to create a reasonable copy of the artifact, then we need to prepare to get back to Las Vegas.”

A wide smile broke out on Ty’s face. “You’re going to trade a fake for Kinsey.” The scientist nodded. “I’m on it.”

Smith relaxed a bit. It was risky, but it could work. He’d make it work.

“We have an incoming call,” Brooks called out. “Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.”

Beside Smith, Blair stiffened. “Shit.”

A man’s rugged face appeared on the screen. He wore a black shirt, and had a shiny badge hanging from a chain around his neck. The police detective was their contact at LVMPD.

“Detective MacKade,” Jonah drawled.

“Director Grayson.” MacKade’s brown gaze moved across the room, lingering for a second on Blair, before he zeroed in on Lachlan.

“I have intel for you. Last night, some bikers reported a woman running from two men at a bar in northern Las Vegas. Rough area. Mainly industrial.”

Smith straightened. “Anyone help her?”

“Shit,” the detective muttered. “So, she is yours. From the description, I guessed.”

“Did anyone help her?” Smith repeated, a little louder.

MacKade shook his head. “My informant was an undercover cop. He’s been undercover with a biker gang for months. The bikers had no interest in wading in, and my man couldn’t risk blowing his cover.”

Smith gritted his teeth and slammed a fist onto the counter. “So they fucking left her.”

“Smith.” Lachlan waited a beat. “We have a recovery plan. You know who these guys were?”

MacKade shook his head.

“You get any more sightings, we’d appreciate a heads-up,” Lachlan said.

MacKade nodded, then hesitated. “My guy said she’d been beaten up pretty badly. He barely held out from going after the guys who nabbed her. Said she was fighting them.”

Smith looked down at his boots, sucking in air. Kinsey beaten, fighting for her life.

“Thanks for the info.” Jonah inclined his head.

“Good luck,” MacKade said. “Bring her home.” He ended the video call.

“I’ll get to work on the artifact decoy.” Ty headed for the door.

Nat rose to follow. “I’ll help.”

Smith raised his head, his gaze hitting Lachlan’s. He wanted to get out there. He wanted Kinsey back.

Lachlan nodded. “We have a rescue mission to plan.”

Team 52

Mission: Her Protection

Mission: Her Rescue

Mission: Her Security

Mission: Her Defense

Mission: Her Safety

Mission: Her Freedom

Mission: Her Shield

Also Available as Audiobooks!

PREVIEW: THS AND NORCROSS SECURITY

Want to learn more about Treasure Hunter Security? Check out the first book in the series, Undiscovered, Declan Ward’s action-packed story.

One former Navy SEAL. One dedicated archeologist. One secret map to a fabulous lost oasis.

Finding undiscovered treasures is always daring, dangerous, and deadly. Perfect for the men of Treasure Hunter Security. Former Navy SEAL Declan Ward is haunted by the demons of his past and throws everything he has into his security business—Treasure Hunter Security. Dangerous archeological digs – no problem. Daring expeditions – sure thing. Museum security for invaluable exhibits – easy. But on a simple dig in the Egyptian desert, he collides with a stubborn, smart archeologist, Dr. Layne Rush, and together they get swept into a deadly treasure hunt for a mythical lost oasis. When an evil from his past reappears, Declan vows to do anything to protect Layne.

Dr. Layne Rush is dedicated to building a successful career—a promise to the parents she lost far too young. But when her dig is plagued by strange accidents, targeted by a lethal black market antiquities ring, and artifacts are stolen, she is forced to turn to Treasure Hunter Security, and to the tough, sexy, and too-used-to-giving-orders Declan. Soon her organized dig morphs into a wild treasure hunt across the desert dunes.

Danger is hunting them every step of the way, and Layne and Declan must find a way to work together…to not only find the treasure but to survive.

Treasure Hunter Security

Undiscovered

Uncharted

Unexplored

Unfathomed

Untraveled

Unmapped

Unidentified

Undetected

Also Available as Audiobooks!

For some sexy, action-packed contemporary romance, don’t miss the Norcross Security series. Check out the first book, The Investigator.

The only man who can keep her safe is her boss’ gorgeous brother.

Museum curator Haven McKinney has sworn off men. All of them. Totally. She’s recently escaped a bad ex and started a new life for herself in San Francisco. She loves her job at the Hutton Museum, likes her new boss, and has made best friends with his feisty sister. Haven’s also desperately trying not to notice their brother: hotshot investigator Rhys Norcross. And she’s really trying not to notice his muscular body, sexy tattoos, and charming smile.

Nope, Rhys is off limits. But then Haven finds herself in the middle of a deadly situation…

Investigator Rhys Norcross is good at finding his targets. After leaving an elite Ghost Ops military team, the former Delta Force soldier thrives on his job at his brother’s security firm, Norcross Security. He’s had his eye on smart, sexy Haven for a while, but the pretty curator with her eyes full of secrets is proving far harder to chase down than he anticipated.

Luckily, Rhys never, ever gives up.

When thieves target the museum and steal a multi-million-dollar painting in a daring theft, Haven finds herself in trouble, and dangers from her past rising. Rhys vows to do whatever it takes to keep her safe, and Haven finds herself risking the one thing she was trying so hard to protect—her heart.

Norcross Security

The Investigator

The Troubleshooter

ALSO BY ANNA HACKETT

Norcross Security

The Investigator

The Troubleshooter

Team 52

Mission: Her Protection

Mission: Her Rescue

Mission: Her Security

Mission: Her Defense

Mission: Her Safety

Mission: Her Freedom

Mission: Her Shield

Also Available as Audiobooks!

Treasure Hunter Security

Undiscovered

Uncharted

Unexplored

Unfathomed

Untraveled

Unmapped

Unidentified

Undetected

Also Available as Audiobooks!

Eon Warriors

Edge of Eon

Touch of Eon

Heart of Eon

Kiss of Eon

Mark of Eon

Claim of Eon

Also Available as Audiobooks!

Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone

Sentinel

Defender

Centurion

Paladin

Guard

Weapons Master

Also Available as Audiobooks!

Galactic Gladiators

Gladiator

Warrior

Hero

Protector

Champion

Barbarian

Beast

Rogue

Guardian

Cyborg

Imperator

Hunter

Also Available as Audiobooks!

Hell Squad

Marcus

Cruz

Gabe

Reed

Roth

Noah

Shaw

Holmes

Niko

Finn

Theron

Hemi

Ash

Levi

Manu

Griff

Dom

Survivors

Tane

Also Available as Audiobooks!

The Anomaly Series

Time Thief

Mind Raider

Soul Stealer

Salvation

Anomaly Series Box Set

The Phoenix Adventures

Among Galactic Ruins

At Star’s End

In the Devil’s Nebula

On a Rogue Planet

Beneath a Trojan Moon

Beyond Galaxy’s Edge

On a Cyborg Planet

Return to Dark Earth

On a Barbarian World

Lost in Barbarian Space

Through Uncharted Space

Crashed on an Ice World

Perma Series

Winter Fusion

A Galactic Holiday

Warriors of the Wind

Tempest

Storm & Seduction

Fury & Darkness

Standalone Titles

Savage Dragon

Hunter’s Surrender

One Night with the Wolf

For more information visit www.annahackett.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I’m a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled contemporary and science fiction romance. I love writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.

I live in Australia with my own personal hero and two very busy, always-on-the-move sons.

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