The Troubleshooter: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance (Norcross)

  The Troubleshooter

  Norcross Series

  Anna Hackett

  The Troubleshooter

  Published by Anna Hackett

  Copyright 2020 by Anna Hackett

  Cover by Lana Pecherczyk

  Cover image by Wander Aguiar

  Edits by Tanya Sara

  ISBN (ebook): 978-1-922414-12-0

  ISBN (paperback): 978-1-922414-13-7

  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

  Preview - Mission: Her Protection

  Preview: Undiscovered

  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

  Edge of Eon and Mission: Her Protection - Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby) finalists 2019

  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

  "Like Indiana Jones meets Star Wars. A treasure hunt with a steamy romance." – SFF Dragon, review of Among Galactic Ruins

  "Strap in, enjoy the heat of romance and the daring of this group of space travellers!" – Di, Top 500 Amazon Reviewer, review of At Star’s End

  “Action, danger, aliens, romance – yup, it’s another great book from Anna Hackett!” – Book Gannet Reviews, review of Hell Squad: Marcus

  Sign up for my VIP mailing list and get your free box set containing three action-packed romances.

  Click here to get started: www.annahackett.com

  Chapter One

  Okay, this night had not turned out the way she’d planned.

  Gia Norcross raced along the balcony, her Aquazzura heels clicking, her Alberta Ferretti dress flowing out behind her.

  Not to mention the Ruger in her hand, and the bad guy chasing her.

  Yes, her night had not gone according to plan.

  She reached a set of stone stairs and flew down them. They led her into a tiny, shadowed courtyard at the back of San Francisco’s Hutton Museum. The courtyard was ringed by trees starting to lose their leaves. A fountain burbled quietly in the center of the space.

  Ordinarily, it was a peaceful spot. Gia had eaten lunch here a few times with her best friend, Haven McKinney. Haven was the curator of the Hutton, and Gia’s oldest brother, Easton, owned the museum.

  Gia darted under the trees, and sank into the shadows. She kept a tight grip on the Ruger. The handgun was small and light, making it easy to conceal and use.

  She was a Norcross. She knew how to shoot. All three of her brothers were former military. Two of them had been in some classified, beyond-black-ops, special forces team. They’d not given her much choice about being able to shoot and defend herself.

  Gia took a deep, calming breath to counter the adrenaline pumping through her system. Tonight was supposed to have been a relaxing and enjoyable evening at the museum’s charity gala.

  It had all started out fine. She’d been so happy watching Haven and Gia’s youngest brother, Rhys. The pair were so in love they practically had little cartoon hearts floating around their heads. Haven had been in danger recently, when a multi-million-dollar painting had been stolen from the museum. Add in a very bad ex-boyfriend and the Russian mafia, and things had been messed up.

  Needless to say, Haven had been in danger, and Rhys had stepped up to keep her safe. Haven could no longer ignore the sizzling attraction between her and Rhys.

  A scrape of sound and Gia froze.

  A large shadow moved in her peripheral vision. Shit. He was down here already. She hadn’t even heard him.

  The man moved stealthily through the courtyard.

  Hunting her.

  Gia’s pulse spiked, followed by a punch of fear. She shoved it down. She had no time to be afraid.

  This asshole had threatened Gia’s old friend. Willow had messed up, for sure, but Gia wasn’t going to let her get hurt.

  Willow had come to Gia looking for a place to stay. Gia sighed. She couldn’t seem to say no to her old high school bestie. Of course, Willow had neglected to mention she’d stolen something from a not very nice guy. And he’d sent a really not nice guy to retrieve it.

  He’d found her and threatened her, but Gia had intervened with her Ruger and sent him packing.

  But the man’s eyes had promised retribution.

  And that brought them to now.

  Unfortunately, the bad guy had found her at the gala. She’d spotted him in the crowd, and Gia had known she needed to get him out of there before he hurt someone.

  Before her brothers got involved.

  Her stomach jittered. She hadn’t expected the idiot pull a gun on her on the balcony, in full view of a wall of glass windows and every guest at the party.

  Her brothers would be here in minutes. She needed to take care of this.

  That’s what Gia did. She tidied up messes, helped people, made things right. Her PR firm was the best in San Francisco, and there were more than enough people and messes to keep her busy.

  The man turned.

  Gia darted out and kicked him. She felt her heel dig into his leg. He staggered and grunted.

  She landed another kick to his leg, and he went down on his knees.

  She pressed her gun to his temple and he froze.

  “Don’t move,” she warned.

  “You won’t shoot me.” He had a normal voice, nothing distinctive about it. He looked the same, as well. Ordinary. It probably made it easy to do your boss’ dirty work when you blended into the crowd.

  “You don’t know me,” she said. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.” She sank confidence and authority into her voice. It was her “work” voice. “Leave me and Willow alone.”

  “My boss wants his gems back.”

  “Gems?”

  “Yeah. Your friend helped herself to a bag of precious stones. Sapphires, emeralds, rubies.”

  Stupid, stupid Willow. All she’d told Gia was that she’d been seeing this guy, and then things had gone bad. Now she’d stolen gemstones from him. God, Willow.

  “I’ll talk to her.”

  “That’s not good enough. Mr. Dennett needs m
ore than that.”

  “I’ll talk to her.” Gia emphasized the words. “He’ll get his gems back.”

  “I think it’s better if you come with me. Your life might convince your friend.”

  The man exploded upward. He knocked the gun out of Gia’s hand and it clattered to the stone paving.

  Crap.

  He rushed her. Gia dodged, well aware that he was bigger and stronger than her.

  But Gia was smarter.

  He reached for her, pushing against her shoulder. She let herself stagger and let out a gasp.

  He grabbed a handful of her dress. Better not ruin it, asshole. “Please… Please don’t hurt me.” She made herself cower.

  “Come without any trouble and—”

  Gia rammed the side of her stiff palm into his throat. He let her go and gagged.

  She jammed her thumbs into his eyes and he growled, doubling over. Next, she grabbed his head and rammed her knee up, smashing into his nose.

  She heard a crunch, and he cursed viciously.

  She had to admit to feeling a bit of satisfaction. She’d always hated bullies who intimidated with their size.

  She looked for her gun. Where the hell was it? Spotting the glint of something in the low light, she raced for it.

  There was a bellow behind her, and the man charged. He tackled her, and they hit the ground hard.

  The air whooshed out of Gia and pain exploded in a dozen places. Ow.

  “Bitch, you’ll pay for that.”

  She struggled, kicking at him. He was half on her body, pinning her down. Her dress hampered her movement. “You came after me, and you’re pissed I fought back? Grow up.”

  He rose, and picked her up like a football, pinning her to his side. He let out an annoyed grunt.

  He strode across the courtyard, skirting some construction work where a low stone wall was being rebuilt.

  “You don’t want to do this,” she said. “You really don’t want to meet my brothers.” Speaking of her brothers, where the hell were they?

  The bad guy grunted.

  “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she said breezily.

  “Shut up,” he bit out.

  She tried to elbow him.

  He reached over and slapped her face. Ouch. She pressed a hand to her cheek. Asshole.

  The attack came out of nowhere.

  There was the tiniest flash of movement and suddenly Gia was free. She hit the ground, landing on her hands and knees.

  Her assailant staggered back, and a tall, dark, lean shadow attacked him.

  Gia’s heart leaped into her throat. She watched the vicious kicks and methodical punches. Her rescuer was almost elegant in the way he moved as he destroyed his opponent.

  Except there was too much brutal power in his blows to be elegant.

  Even in the darkness, she knew who it was.

  She swallowed an inner groan. Of course, it had to be him. The bane of her existence. Her nemesis.

  A shaft of light caught his face.

  It was a hell of a face. Saxon Buchanan was not one of her brothers. He was her brother Vander’s best friend, and Gia had known him half her life.

  He was tall, with a muscled body that almost hid his strength. His collection of well-cut suits—which included the designer tuxedo he currently wore—disguised just how muscular and strong he was. It somehow minimized his broad shoulders and powerful legs. Her gaze moved back to his face.

  Saxon had been in the military with Vander. He was from a wealthy, San Francisco family that went back generations, and they’d forbidden him to join the Army. He went anyway.

  Saxon made his own rules.

  He finished hitting her attacker and the man curled into a ball on the ground.

  Saxon’s head lifted, his gaze on her. The light caught his hair, and she couldn’t decide if it was dark blond, or golden brown.

  “You have some explaining to do,” he said.

  She sniffed.

  His good breeding showed in the most handsome face she’d ever seen— strong jaw, straight nose, aristocratic features, and green eyes. Those eyes flared. He strode toward her and grabbed her forearms.

  His long fingers on her skin sent a sizzle of sensation up her arms. She gasped. “I just needed some air.”

  A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Now isn’t the time for clever words and games, Gia.”

  “Everything’s fine. I had it under control.”

  Saxon made a harsh sound. “Under control? He was about to carry you out of here.”

  Wow, Saxon was really pissed. He was usually Mr. Cool and Suave, so it was interesting to see the tension in his face and body.

  “It was fine.” Damn, he had a habit of seeing her at her worst and rubbing it in.

  He snorted. “What have you gotten yourself mixed up in?”

  “None of your business.” She went toe to toe with him. She hated that he towered over her measly five feet, four inches. “You always try to stick your nose into my business. I already have three brothers. I don’t need another one.”

  Saxon glared at her. “Believe me, I don’t think of myself as your brother.”

  They stared at each other, gazes locked. Then one of his hands slid up and cupped her cheek. Her traitorous body shivered.

  “I just saved you, and this is the thanks I get?”

  “Thanks.” She was well aware she didn’t sound very grateful. She struggled for some control. “I had it in hand.”

  He glanced at the man, then back at Gia. “Willow dragged you into something.”

  Gia lifted her chin. “Like I said, none of your business.”

  Saxon leaned closer. “Contessa, after seeing this asshole shoot at you, I’m making you my business.”

  What? “Don’t use that ridiculous name.”

  “What the fuck is going on?”

  The deep voice, with a lethal edge, made goosebumps rise on Gia’s bare arms.

  She turned her head and saw Easton first. Her older brother wore a tuxedo and looked gorgeous. Their Italian-American heritage showed through in Easton’s dark hair and good looks. He had an air of authority, every inch the big brother and successful businessman. He frowned at the attacker, then scanned her, relief on his face.

  But it was Vander who’d spoken. He stood half in the shadows, like the darkness wanted to cling to him.

  He stepped forward. Vander had badass deeply embedded in his DNA, and it had been there even when he was a kid. Despite loving him to bits, there were times when he scared her.

  He was intense, and he thrived on control, and she was well aware that he was dangerous.

  His tuxedo didn’t hide any of that.

  Saxon gave her a little shake. She looked up at him and she gave a start.

  She realized that he had the same dangerous glint in his green eyes. He just hid it better than Vander.

  She cleared her throat. Time to face the music.

  Saxon Buchanan was pissed as hell.

  He saw the man on the ground move and shot him a glare. The guy stilled. The asshole had fired on Gia. Tried to abduct her. Had put her in danger.

  Saxon’s fingers flexed on her arm. Big mistake.

  He looked down at Gia. As always, her stubborn jaw was lifted as she faced down Vander. And as usual, Saxon felt the competing urges to hit that jaw, or bite it.

  The thought of biting Gia Norcross—in many and varied locations—fired his blood.

  Fuck.

  He shut the thought down as best he could. He’d had years of practice. He tried to remember her as the opinionated, twelve-year-old from the first time he’d met her. At sixteen, after being booted out of his expensive private school, Saxon had been sent to a local high school. Despite their differences, he and Vander had clicked. He’d spent as much time in the Norcross family home as he could. It had been much better than the stifling mausoleum his parents called home.

  He’d watched Gia transform from his best friend’s pesky sister into a gorgeous, feisty, smart
woman.

  It’d been uncomfortable at first—the flashes of lust he’d had for her when she’d grown breasts. Definitely not appropriate.

  But as always, she’d been off-limits—far too young, and Vander’s little sister.

  Vander wasn’t related to Saxon by blood, but they were brothers in every other sense. Saxon had vowed that he would never, ever cross the boundary with his best friend’s sister.

  It didn’t help that he and Gia seemed to irritate each other without barely trying. Damn, Saxon loved seeing her chocolate-brown eyes fire up.

  She was no longer underage, but after ten years in the military, and a lot of those in Ghost Ops doing the dirtiest, meanest, and hardest jobs the government needed done…

  Saxon blew out a breath. Not to mention his fucked-up family. He had baggage he’d never, ever unload on a woman. He liked his relationships brief, uncomplicated, and simple.

  And Gia would always be Vander’s little sister.

  But seeing that asshole draw a gun on her…

  Seeing her in danger.

  Something inside Saxon had cracked open. He would pull out all the stops to keep Gia safe.

  “Willow has a thing,” Gia said.

  Vander cursed and Easton looked up at the night sky, jaw tight.

  Saxon knew it. That woman was trouble.

  Vander cocked his head. “Willow dragged you into this mess, which ends up with you getting shot at and almost snatched.”