Then she felt a hand on her shoulder and she jolted.
She spun, and Nate gripped the weapon before she rammed it into his gut. He had a strange look on his face.
And what she thought might be admiration in his blue eyes.
“We need to go,” he said.
She nodded, letting him take the weapon out of her hands. Ari took a step, then her knees gave out.
But she didn’t hit the ground.
Nate Caldwell swept her into his brawny arms.
God, he was so solid, so strong. It had been a really long time since someone had held her, helped her. Tears filled her eyes.
He stilled. “You just escaped the aliens, then took one down, and now you’re going to cry?”
“Sorry,” she sniffed.
He set off into the trees, shrugging one big shoulder. “Figure you’re entitled to a cry.”
“You aren’t going to do the man thing and get all uncomfortable?”
“Think I can handle a few tears. And I didn’t make you cry.” He paused. “Right?”
She swiped her hand across her face and let out a rough laugh. “Right.”
She spotted the dog waiting for them by the trees. “You have a dog?”
“Ari, meet Blue.”
“Hey, Blue.”
The dog’s tail wagged.
They traveled through the dark forest for so long that Ari was completely lost. Even with the moonlight, she had no idea which direction they were going. At university, she’d depended on her map app on her phone to get her anywhere. Boy, she had a terrible sense of direction.
Moments later, she spotted the cabin. It was old, but looked cozy. “This is your place?”
“Home sweet home.”
When Nate took her inside, she felt like she’d stepped back in time. A small, high-tech lantern set the place aglow. The kitchen cabinets had old metal latches and the counter tops were a faded shade of mustard that should never, ever have been used. The couch sagged and had a crocheted blanket resting over the back of it.
He set her down on an old, over-stuffed chair and then knelt beside her. “You’re safe now.”
Looking into his blue eyes, for the first time in what felt like forever, Ari believed it. “Thank you, Nate Caldwell.”
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!
Preview: Among Galactic Ruins
When astro-archeologist and museum curator Dr. Lexa Carter discovers a secret map to a lost old Earth treasure—a priceless Fabergé egg—she’s excited at the prospect of a treasure hunt to the dangerous desert planet of Zerzura. What she’s not so happy about is being saddled with a bodyguard—the museum’s mysterious new head of security, Damon Malik.
After many dangerous years as a galactic spy, Damon Malik just wanted a quiet job where no one tried to kill him. Instead of easy work in a museum full of artifacts, he finds himself on a backwater planet babysitting the most infuriating woman he’s ever met.
She thinks he’s arrogant. He thinks she’s a trouble-magnet. But among the desert sands and ruins, adventure led by a young, brash treasure hunter named Dathan Phoenix, takes a deadly turn. As it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want them to find the treasure, Lexa and Damon will have to trust each other just to survive.
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
Also by Anna Hackett
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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Website: www.annahackett.com
