Cover Reveal: The Hero She Craves

Hayden willed her racing heart to slow down. Her body couldn’t quite comprehend that she and Shep were all right.

They were safe.

For a moment, it had seemed that everything was lost. She’d been terrified that she’d have to watch Shep be killed.

Now…

She clung to him as one of the zodiacs pulled up alongside their disabled boat.

“Shep, fancy meeting you here.”

Ren stood with his feet apart, a rifle in his hand. He smiled.

Hayden blinked. He was handsome in that way that dazed you a little. He had a long, chiseled face, tanned skin, and deep, brown eyes. His smile was wide, with a sinful edge.

“Ren, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” Shep said.

“I knew you missed me, even if I never missed your surly, brooding ass.”

“He does know you,” Hayden said.

Shep squeezed her hip. “Permission to come aboard.”

Ren inclined his head. “Permission granted.”

Shep helped Hayden over. Ren took her hand, and guided her into the zodiac, shooting her a wide, sexy smile.

“Ms. Sinclair, it’s a pleasure.” He was talking like they were meeting at a party—not in the middle of a shootout on the ocean. “I’m Lorenzo, but please call me Ren.”

“Thanks for the rescue.”

“Believe me, I’m well practiced at saving Shep’s ass.”

Shep, with his backpack over his shoulder, stepped aboard. The two men smiled at each other, then hugged, slapping each other’s backs.

“How the hell did you end up here?” Shep asked. “I thought you were somewhere in the middle of the Pacific.”

Ren smiled. “Vander. I’ll share all the details once we’re back on my ship.” He waved a hand at the seats.

They sat, and the zodiac’s engines fired up. The boat sped off, rising and falling on the waves as they powered farther out to sea.

That’s when Hayden noticed the white ship in the distance. It looked large and fancy, with lots of antennas on top and a crane built into the back.

Shep slung an arm around her shoulders, and she leaned into him.

They were safe. She couldn’t quite believe it. Elation pushed up through the fear, shock, and adrenaline.

They pulled up at the back of the ship. There was a lower deck with several people waiting for them. They were helped aboard.

Ren handed his rifle off to someone, calling out orders to a few people. She saw several of the people looking at her with interest, and realized that they knew who she was.

Turning, she took in the large crane and several underwater submersibles stored on the ship’s deck. They looked like something out of a science fiction movie.

Ren turned, smiled, and slapped Shep’s shoulder. “It’s damn good to see you. Welcome aboard the Atalanta. The finest research vessel on the sea.”

“You always loved the water.”

“Once a SEAL, always a SEAL.”