The one woman he wants…
When a childhood friend needs help, Nova doesn’t hesitate. They endured the foster system together, forging a bond Nova can’t ignore. Relying on her friends from Redemption Harbor Consulting—including Gage, the computer genius she’s falling for—is out of the question. She used to work for the CIA and she’s trained—she can handle this. Besides, the whole team is working on their own important jobs. She’s not going to drag anyone away when she’s not sure it’s necessary.
Is the one he can’t have…
When Nova asks for time off out of the blue—and use of the company jet—former Marine Gage takes note. Of course, he notices everything about Nova. But as one of her bosses, his growing attraction to her is a line he won’t cross. However, that doesn’t mean he’ll let her run straight into danger—and a quick hack of her computer proves she’s gotten in over her head. Gage is coming along for the ride, whether the sassy assistant likes it or not. He’ll do whatever’s necessary to save her friend…and keep Nova out of the clutches of a lethal enemy who won’t hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way.
EXCERPT:
Gage ripped off one of his boxing gloves and answered his phone before the second ring finished. “Hey, what’s up?” It was way too late for Brooks to be calling. “We got a new job or something?”
“Maybe,” his friend said, his tone neutral. “Got a call from Nova. She wants to borrow the jet.”
He blinked as he ripped off his other boxing glove and dropped it to the bench against the wall alongside its partner. He hadn’t been able to sleep so he’d decided to get in a workout. It was the only thing that seemed to combat his insomnia lately. He’d tire himself out until he was so exhausted he had to sleep. Because his waking thoughts were consumed with Nova Blaire, the woman he couldn’t have. Shouldn’t want at all. “Did she say why?”
“No. I didn’t ask. She simply said it was personal. And then Skye group-texted us that Nova would be out for a few days, maybe longer.”
Shit. He’d missed the damn text. “Seriously?” he snarled as he stalked from his home gym. “You didn’t press her for more details?”
“Nope. Because she’s a grown-ass woman and I’m not her keeper.”
Gage cursed under his breath even as he started stripping off his sweaty shorts. He needed to take a quick shower, and then he was either going to call Nova or drive over to see her. Because asking to use the jet at the last minute? For something personal? No. That had bad news written all over it. And to hell with it, he was going to help her. Whether she wanted it or not. “Thanks for the heads-up.”
“You also might want to know that I got an alert to my email that her security code was just entered into our security pad at work.”
Gage cursed again. “Text me the flight plan info and tell the pilot not to leave without me.” He hung up without waiting for a response. Then he checked his email and saw that, yep, he’d received an alert too. He just hadn’t heard the email ping or the damn text over the sound of his fists beating against the punching bag.
After taking the world’s quickest shower, he dressed and was out the door. His protective feelings for Nova were irrational but he didn’t really care. Ever since he’d met the smart-ass woman, he’d fallen for her. And each day a little harder.
Who was he kidding? He was gone for her. But he was sort of her boss, and there was way too much of an imbalance of power between them. He would never cross the line or make her feel uncomfortable. But that didn’t mean he was going to let her go headfirst into something without backup.
For all he knew, she didn’t need backup and this was about some guy. But even the thought of that seemed off. And deep down, he didn’t think that was what this was. Nova had a big heart, and if he was a betting man, he’d bet she was helping someone. Why she wouldn’t just ask the crew to help her made no sense to him, considering that was literally what they all did for a living.
Redemption Harbor Consulting wasn’t technically a consulting company. They helped people get out of bad or dangerous situations. Those who couldn’t afford it, or, because of whatever reason, couldn’t go to the authorities with their problems. Like in the case of Olivia, who’d been blackmailed by a former “coworker” she’d run jobs with. Jobs that involved stealing expensive shit. She’d had no one to turn to except her college friend Skye. So maybe that’s what this was—maybe some gray-area problem Nova was dealing with.
He shook his head as he raced down the road. He was just flat-out going to ask her what was going on. There was no sense in trying to guess.
Even as he glanced at the clock on his dash, his heart rate kicked up a few notches because he knew he was going to see Nova in less than ten minutes.
