Page 9 of Rupture

The scientist in her itched to reach out and touch, to explore the material. Hexagonal nano-processors integrated into the fabric, rendering it impervious to all known acids, alkalis and ballistics. She’d read about Hexis Tech’s newest developments, but as far as she knew, their revolutionary smart fabrics weren’t yet in production, let alone field-tested.

Trepidation rippled through her. She didn’t want to think about what his state-of-the-art gear implied about the mission lying ahead.

“Is everything alright?” Blue eyes assessed her face and then down her body. “You’ve got a little dirt here.” His fingers brushed her cheek revealing dark ink at his wrist.

She stepped away quickly, ignoring the tingle his unexpectedly gentle touch had ignited across her cheek. “The crate is fragile. I need to make sure it’s undamaged.”

“Itisundamaged.” He folded his arms and impossible muscles bulged in his upper arms.

Rose dragged her gaze off his body and stalked to MARV’s crate.

“We’ve been very careful.” His deep voice was at her heels.

God. He was following her. She ran her fingers alongMARV’s crate, far too aware of the burn of his gaze on her back.

She retrieved her penknife from her hip pocket to open the crate, then dug through the layers of wadding to where MARV was nestled in a sea of foamy nuggets. A quick skim with her palms confirmed MARV was secure and undamaged.

She rocked back on her heels and exhaled, her head hanging forward.Thank God.

“Everything in order?” He strolled to the end of the crate.

She nodded. “This kit is vital and extremely fragile.” Her relief melted away when she noticed his raised eyebrows. Heat flushed through her.

“My team was fully briefed on your equipment and its fragility,Dr. Wyndham.” His voice was cool, and she instantly felt at a disadvantage with the formal use of her surname. “The Wolves are highly trained and exceptionally careful. I think they can handle unloading your crate. Before yourboxarrived, we were unpacking Trinitrotoluene.”

TNT. Rose’s heart stuttered. Margaret hadn’t mentioned anything about bombs.

Amusement glinted in his eyes. Amazing eyes. A heady marine blue that spoke of the ocean heralding an approaching storm. Dirty blond scruff framed his rugged features, adding to the dangerous vibe that pumped off him.

Ocean Wolves. The mercenary team employed by Margaret to escort her to the habitat. What kind of name was that, anyway?

“Finn Jones.” His palm was open, calloused and oil stained. A man who lived by his hands, not one who sat behind a desk all day.

Rose slid her hand into his, the rough pads of his fingers kissing her skin. “Rose Wyndham.”

“Rose. Like the plant?” His lips quirked up at the corners. “I hear they can be pretty prickly.”

Heat crawled up her neck.So original.She fought the urge to roll her eyes. “I don’t stab people unless they really deserve it.” She tugged lightly, but his hold on her was firm.

“You two fully caught up?” Ethan approached, his sharp gaze bouncing between them. “It’s time to discuss mission parameters.” He gestured to the command tent where Harris disappeared between tent flaps. “Please. This way.”

Finn finally released her hand, but his gaze remained on her.

She dragged her attention off him and followed Ethan’s lead, skin tingling from the lingering warmth of Finn’s grasp. As she ducked into the tent, she couldn’t resist a last glance over her shoulder.

Barren earth stretched endlessly.

A shiver traced her spine, an inexplicable sense of dread coiling in her gut. Why did this feel like this was a step from which there would be no coming back?

5

The tent’sstifling heat smothered Finn as he followed Rose inside.

He tugged at his collar, desperate for relief, though a part of him recognized the oppressive warmth wasn’t solely to blame for the trickle of sweat snaking down his spine—Rose Wyndham unsettled him and he had no goddamn idea why. His team had worked with several female scientists in the past, so his unease made no sense. Perhaps he was coming down with a fever, delirious thoughts the first insidious symptom.

Dim blue light from workstations cast the space and the Wolves in an electronic glow as the tent flap closed behind him. Ahead, Rose’s ponytail swung enticingly against her nape. Several tendrils had escaped their confines, curling against the creamy expanse of skin exposed by her shirt collar.

An unfamiliar heat uncurled low in his belly as Luca sauntered over to greet her, his predatory gaze raking over her with undisguised appreciation.

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