Undiscovered (Treasure Hunter Security Book 1) Page 16

  Oh, my God. Layne couldn’t believe this was Persephone Ward—world-famous treasure hunter and Declan’s mother.

  “Hi…Mom.”

  Persephone knelt beside her son. “You hold on, we’ll get you all fixed up.”

  “Putting fluids in now. He’s lost a lot of blood, Mom.” Callum slid a needle into Declan’s arm.

  “He’s tough.” Persephone’s gaze flicked up to Layne. “A pleasure to meet you, young lady.”

  “Ah…you too.”

  “Well done on your find, Dr. Rush.” The treasure hunter smiled, still stroking her son’s hair. “You’ll be famous.”

  “That’s not really why I do this job.”

  Persephone sniffed. “You sound like my husband. Nothing wrong with a bit of fame.”

  Declan’s hand moved in Layne’s. “You’re safe now,” she murmured.

  Suddenly, he groaned, his back arching. Then his eyes closed, and he went still. Impossibly still.

  Her heart just stopped. “Declan!”

  Callum cursed. “Shit, we’re losing him.”

  Layne found herself pushed back, to give the others space. Callum and Logan leaned over Declan, blocking her view. She pressed a fist to her mouth.

  “Come on, bro, don’t you fucking give up on me now.”

  Logan touched his ear. “Morgan, we’re gonna need the basket for Dec.”

  Layne couldn’t lose him. God, she wished she could touch him, but they didn’t need her in the way.

  “Ah, there you go. Yeah, open your eyes, Dec.”

  “Layne. Need Layne.”

  His words were barely a whisper but she heard, her chest constricting.

  “Come on, sweetie.” Persephone ushered her forward.

  Layne touched his pale cheek. His eyes found hers and he didn’t look away.

  “I’m here, Declan. You hold on.”

  He watched her like her gaze was the only thing holding him there.

  She leaned down and nuzzled his cheek, her lips at his ear. “Remember, I have that red bikini. I want to wear it for you.”

  Callum shifted. “Shit, with her touching him, his vitals have evened out a bit.” His gaze zeroed in on Layne. “I think my love-phobic brother has taken the plunge.”

  “Here comes the basket,” Hale said.

  Layne didn’t look away from Declan, but she sensed movement above and knew the rescue basket was being lowered for Declan.

  “Layne?” Callum said.

  “Yes?” She didn’t look away from Declan and kept her hand wrapped tight in his.

  “I want you to stay with him. You’re helping him. Think you can ride up with the basket to the helicopter?”

  She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

  “All right, people. Let’s do this.”

  Layne ignored the frenzied movements around her, just watched the man she loved, staring into his eyes, holding him to the life she wanted to share with him.

  “You can’t die, Declan. You’ve shown me how to feel again and I want more of that.” She pressed her face close to his as the basket rose to the hovering helicopter. “I love you. Please hold on.”

  ***

  Callum kept his arm around his mother and fought the urge to pace the bland hospital corridor. They’d made it back to Luxor and the Luxor International Hospital was in a large, modern building with good facilities.

  He just hoped to hell it was good enough. Cal let out a sharp breath and stared at his hands. Saw his brother’s blood still smudged on them. Dec’s heart had stopped in the helo and Cal’s resuscitation had been the only thing keeping him alive.

  God. Cal worked his jaw. For a second, he was thrown back to a dusty street in Afghanistan, another man who was like a brother to him dying in his arms. Cal could smell the blood, hear Marty’s choked noises, and felt the same sense of hopelessness.

  “He’ll be fine.” His mother patted Cal’s hand, snapping him back to the present. “He’s strong and stubborn.”

  Cal snorted. “Hell yeah.” That was Dec through and through.

  Down the hall, Hale and Morgan were pacing. Logan was leaning against the wall. He looked relaxed but Cal felt the tension vibrating off the big man. He was like live explosives and could go off at any second. And when Logan O’Connor lost it, lots of things got broken.

  But Cal’s gaze drifted to the small form huddled in a plastic chair. She was probably attractive, he’d seen a hint of it during the rescue, but right now she just looked tired, dirty, and afraid.

  The way Declan had watched her, like she was his very reason for breathing… It made Cal’s chest tight.

  A buzzing sound made him look down. His mom pulled her phone out of her pocket. “It’s your father.” She flicked it open. “Go see Layne. She’s hanging on by a thread.”

  As his mother moved away, Cal dropped down in the chair beside the archeologist. “You okay?”

  “It’s taking so long.” Her lips trembled but Cal watched as she straightened and pulled herself together. “He was so hurt.”

  “My brother’s tough.”

  She glanced sideways. “He’s not a superhero.” There was the tiniest snap to her voice.

  Cal fought a smile. Good, Dec didn’t need a pushover. “No, but he has something worth living for.” Cal reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. He knew without a doubt that this was the woman his brother had chosen. “He’ll fight tooth and nail to get back to you.”

  She gave Cal a watery smile. “He promised to take me to the beach.”

  “Well, Dec is a man who always keeps his promises. It was annoying when we were kids. He could never let anything go.”

  “I am so in love with him,” she said quietly.

  God, his brother had gone and taken the fall. Cal shook his head. It sure as hell wasn’t for him, but he liked the idea of his brother having a pretty, smart woman by his side. Going on instinct, Cal pulled her in for a hug. She was stiff at first, then relaxed against him. He got the impression she wasn’t used to easy affection.

  “Did someone say something about the beach?”

  Cal’s mom dropped down on Layne’s other side and put an arm around the archeologist. He saw Layne blink in surprise.

  “I love the beach.” Persephone bumped her shoulder against Layne’s. “Actually I like those frou-frou drinks with the little umbrellas in them best of all.”

  A surprised laugh escaped Layne.

  “Declan and Callum love the beach too. As does their father.”

  Cal rolled his eyes. “Mom, I’m pretty sure Dec had a different kind of beach vacation planned with Layne. You know, the private kind.”

  “I don’t care.” His mom sniffed. “I’m his mother. He deserves to have his plans disrupted after causing us this worry.”

  Cal softened. His mother had never been one to cry or show her worry. Growing up, she’d been the one to pick them up when they fell as kids and tell them to try again. Their father had been the one to hug them and kiss any skinned knees. But he could see she was worried now.

  Reaching over, he grabbed his mom’s hand and then pressed it over Layne’s, the three of them joined in their love and concern for Declan.

  “Someone say beach?” Logan loomed nearby. “I like the ocean.”

  “You like something?” Morgan muttered from down the hall. “It’s a miracle.”

  There was a squeak of shoes on the linoleum floor. Cal turned his head and saw a doctor headed their way. A surgeon, by the look of him.

  Cal swallowed and saw his mother lift her chin. Layne straightened and her hand clenched on Cal’s. He squeezed back.

  ***

  Declan lay on his back, the sun warm on his face.

  This was his idea of heaven.

  He opened his eyes and stared at the gentle waves lapping at the pristine white sand beach. No, he corrected himself, the beach might be idyllic, but heaven was coming toward him now.

  Layne swept out of the waves, her dark hair slicked back, and her toned body
looking mouthwateringly fine in her red bikini.

  As promised, it was tiny.

  She sauntered over to his lounger, grabbed a towel, and wiped down her face and body. She took her time, long sweeps down those slim limbs and toned curves.

  Then she sat at his hip. “Hello.”

  Declan slipped a finger into the side of the bikini bottoms. “Have I told you how much I love this bikini?”

  She tilted her head, a smile on her lips. “No, I don’t think you have.” She pressed her hands to his chest and lowered her voice. “But you’ve showed your appreciation a few times.”

  Yes, he had, by slipping the damn thing off her, and putting his mouth, his hands, and his cock all over her.

  He tugged her forward and pressed his mouth to hers.

  She made a small sound he loved and kissed him back. He felt the slightest twinge in his gut, the only sign left of his healing gunshot wound.

  He barely remembered the wild dash from the Western Desert to the hospital in Luxor, and he knew Layne still had nightmares about it. But he’d made it. Thankfully, so had Dr. Stiller. Hale had found the man in the tunnels of Zerzura.

  “Get a room,” a deep voice growled.

  Declan rested his forehead on Layne’s and once again wondered how their hot little holiday had turned out like this.

  He turned his head and saw Logan, wearing a pair of flowered surfer shorts, stretched out on a lounger a little farther down the beach. Beyond him, in the water, he could see Callum paddle-skiing with Hale and Morgan.

  His parents and Darcy were around somewhere, too, no doubt making cocktails.

  Layne laughed. The sweet, joyful sound filled his chest.

  She was happy. Hell, he was happy.

  Her discovery of Zerzura had made headlines all around the world. The university was tripping over itself to offer her whatever she wanted, and everyone was clamoring to interview the beautiful tomb raider who found an undiscovered oasis and defeated the bad guy.

  When she stroked his belly, he realized she was touching his new puckered scar. The healing skin was still pink and shiny.

  “I’m here, sweetheart,” he murmured.

  She nodded. “I love you, Declan Ward.”

  His hands tightened on her. God, every time he heard those words, they never failed to amaze him. Layne had brought him back to life, brought him back to his friends and family, and all the things he’d loved.

  Anders was dead, and Dec liked to think those people he’d failed were at peace now.

  Like him.

  He pulled Layne in for a kiss. “I love you too, Rush. I had no idea that a wild treasure hunt for a lost oasis would be the thing that led me to you.”

  Her finger stroked down his chest. “I think you have a few more wild adventures in your future, Ward.”

  He stood and scooped her into his arms. Time to head to their private villa tucked away among the palm trees. He ignored the whoops and whistles of his friends and family. “Oh, I hope so, Rush. I hope so.”

  ---

  I hope you enjoyed Declan and Layne’s story!

  There are more Treasure Hunter Security adventures on the way! Read on for a tiny sneak peek at Book 2, Uncharted—Callum’s story (out June 2016). Book 3, Unexplored—Logan’s story—will be out in July 2016.

  For more action-packed romance, read on for a preview of the first chapter of Among Galactic Ruins, the first book in my award-winning Phoenix Adventures series. This is action, adventure, romance and treasure hunting in space! FUN FACT: the desert world of Among Galactic Ruins is called…Zerzura, after a certain lost oasis on Earth.

  Don’t miss out! For updates about new releases, action romance info, free books, and other fun stuff, sign up for my VIP mailing list and get your free box set containing three action-packed romances (including TWO Phoenix Adventures books).

  Click here to get started: www.annahackettbooks.com

  Sneak Peek: Uncharted

  He edged his hand into a narrow crack in the rock face and readjusted his grip.

  Callum Ward shifted his weight and then pulled himself up. Sweat dripped down his face and he pulled in a steady breath, enjoying the pleasant burning sensation in his muscles. Climbing—free of ropes and equipment—was a challenge he enjoyed, along with the adrenaline pumping through his body.

  He looked up, his body pressed flat against the warm rock. The Rocky Mountains in spring were one of his favorite places to be.

  A world away from the dangers and pressures of the SEAL teams.

  Not a SEAL anymore, Ward.

  Cal stayed there for a moment, breathing deeply. He glanced down at the ground, several hundred feet below him. Then he looked up. The top wasn’t far away. With intense concentration, he picked out his path.

  Then he climbed.

  He loved the speed and freedom of free soloing. He was alive. He couldn’t ever let himself forget that.

  Or the fact that so many of his SEAL buddies were not.

  A few feet from the top, a harsh ringing sound made him start. One of his hands slipped, and for a second, he felt his body swing away from the rock.

  Quickly, he moved back, jamming his hand into a narrow handhold, scraping his knuckles in the process.

  With a curse, his heartbeat hammering in his ears, he slipped his hand into his pocket and yanked out his cell phone. He wedged the device between his ear and shoulder.

  “What?”

  “Cal, where are you?” His sister’s voice came through loud and clear. “Lazing the day away at your cabin?” Darcy’s voice soured. “I hope you don’t have company, right now. There’s no time for all those blondes tripping over themselves to get to you.”

  Cal rolled his eyes and glanced at the magnificent view of the valley below. A sweep of trees and the breath-taking mountains. In the distance, he heard the throb of helicopter rotors. Some rich somebody getting a quick transfer to Vale or a rescue helicopter.

  “No blonde. I’m climbing, D. Kind of at a critical moment here.”

  “We have a job.”

  His senses sharpened. “Okay. Well, I need to finish the climb, get back to my truck, lock up the cabin. I can be back in Denver this evening.”

  “Too long. I sent Declan to get you.”

  Cal snorted. “You managed to pry him away from his new fiancée?”

  “It took a little convincing.” Darcy’s voice softened.

  Yeah, Cal’s big bro had certainly fallen hard for his sexy little archeologist. It was a little too sickly-sweet to see. Cal couldn’t imagine forgoing the variety of lovely ladies out there for just one—no matter how beautiful, smart, or sexy she was.

  Live life to the fullest. That was Cal’s motto.

  “Look, it’ll still take me some time to meet up with Dec—”

  “Actually, he’s coming to you. He should almost be there.”

  At that instant, the sound of the helicopter turned to a roar. The helo crested the mountain top above, sending a fine spray of rocks and twigs raining down on Cal. In the clear bubble of the helicopter cockpit, Cal spotted his brother’s rugged face.

  Cal sighed. Looked like his climb was done. “Yeah. He found me.”

  “Good. See you soon.”

  Uncharted is coming in June 2016

  Preview: Among Galactic Ruins

  As the descending starship hit turbulence, Dr. Alexa Carter gasped, her stomach jumping.

  But she didn’t feel sick, she felt exhilarated.

  She stared out the window at the sand dunes of the planet below. Zerzura. The legendary planet packed with danger, mystery and history.

  She was finally here. All she could see was sand dune, after yellow sand dune, all the way off into the distance. The dual suns hung in the sky, big and full—one gold and one red—baking the ground below.

  But there was more to Zerzura than that. She knew, from all her extensive history training as an astro-archeologist, that the planet was covered in ruins—some old and others beyond ancient. She k
new every single one of the myths and legends.

  She glanced down at her lap and clutched the Sync communicator she was holding. Right here she had her ticket to finding an ancient Terran treasure.

  Lexa thumbed the screen. She’d found the slim, ancient vase in the museum archives and initially thought nothing of the lovely etchings of priestesses on the side of it.

  Until she’d finished translating the obscure text.

  She’d been gobsmacked when she realized the text gave her clues that not only formed a map, but also described what the treasure was at the end. A famed Fabergé egg.

  Excitement zapped like electricity through her veins. After a career spent mostly in the Galactic Institute of Historical Preservation and on a few boring digs in the central systems, she was now the curator of the Darend Museum on Zeta Volantis—a private and well-funded museum that was mostly just a place for her wealthy patron, Marius Darend, to house his extensive, private collection of invaluable artifacts from around the galaxy.

  But like most in the galaxy, he had a special obsession with old Earth artifacts. When she’d gone to him with the map and proposal to go on a treasure hunt to Zerzura to recover it, he’d been more than happy to fund it.

  So here she was, Dr. Alexa Carter, on a treasure hunt.

  Her father, of course, had almost had a coronary when she’d told her parents she’d be gone for several weeks. That familiar hard feeling invaded her belly. Baron Carter did not like his only daughter working, let alone being an astro-archeologist, and he really didn’t like her going to a planet like Zerzura. He’d ranted about wild chases and wastes of time, and predicted her failure.

  She straightened in her seat. She’d been ignoring her father’s disapproval for years. When she had the egg in her hands, then he’d have to swallow his words.

  Someone leaned over her, a broad shoulder brushing hers. “Strap in, Princess, we’re about to land.”

  Lexa’s excitement deflated a little. There was just one fly in her med gel.

  Unfortunately, Marius had insisted she bring along the museum’s new head of security. She didn’t know much about Damon Malik, but she knew she didn’t like him. The rumor among the museum staff was that he had a super-secret military background.