Undercover Texas - By Robin Perini Page 0,70
Do you want me to stop work?”
“No way. Covert Technology Confidential, Incorporated, is needed. Just not with me at the helm. People like Annie need us. I want you to run CTC, Hunter.”
Hunter fell back in his chair and hit his head on the concrete floor. He blinked. “You can’t be serious. What about Daniel?”
“He’s AWOL at the moment. He needs time. When he’s ready we’ll bring him back in, if he wants to be part of CTC.” Logan paused. “You’ve been ready for this a long time, Hunter. With Leona and Chuck to help you, I don’t see how you won’t succeed.”
Hunter picked himself off the floor and paced back and forth, his mind whirling with ideas. CTC would be a way to give back, to help those who couldn’t help themselves. The organization would give people like Annie and Erin a chance at a life when there seemed to be nowhere to turn. And his life would have purpose again. Even if his heart was broken. “You’ve got yourself a deal,” he agreed. “Partner.”
He ended the call, stunned, and looked around the room. Empty. No one here with whom to share his new life. What he wouldn’t give to have Erin next to him.
An alarm sounded at the console he’d just hooked up. The front gate. He activated the camera.
A black SUV sat parked in front of the newly erected barrier. Hunter tensed, his hand reaching for a weapon. He wasn’t expecting anyone.
The door opened and a dark-haired woman with long, slim legs stepped into the sun.
She looked into the camera and smiled.
She was beautiful, and his stomach gave a jolt. There was something familiar...
She reached into the backseat and pulled out a baby carrier. She lifted a small boy into her arms, pointed up to the camera and waved.
The baby let out a big grin.
Hunter swayed.
Brandon.
He vaulted out of the exit and sprinted to the gate. When he reached the edge of the property, he skidded to a halt.
A stranger stood before him. But not a stranger.
He studied her features, then stared into her eyes. Emerald-green, with a smile hidden behind them. Maybe not so innocent anymore, but honest and forthright.
He knew those eyes, only her face and hair color were different.
“Erin....”
She tilted her head. “So, what do you think of my new look? The color is still in the experimental stage, but this one’s not bad.”
Hunter swallowed, unable to believe she was standing there.
He pressed the release button, and the gate swung open. He stepped through. His shaking hand hovered over her high cheekbones, traveled across her narrowed nose and down to her fuller lips. “What did you do?”
She bit her lip, that nervous habit that made him want to hold her and make everything better.
“My cheekbone was shattered. They had to do reconstructive surgery, so I decided if I couldn’t be Erin Jamison anymore, the least I could do was start over completely. I don’t want to look over my shoulder all the time. And, I hoped, if no one could recognize me, maybe...maybe I could have what I really want.”
He held his breath, afraid to hope.
“More than any career as a scientist, more than fame or accolades, I want you, Hunter. I think you love me. I hope I’m not wrong.”
His chest tightened. He drank in her presence. She was everything he ever wanted. She made his life complete. “I love you more than life itself. You and Brandon.”
The words tumbled out of him, words he’d longed to say for nearly two years.
She threw herself into Hunter’s arms.
Noah exited the SUV and dropped two suitcases at Hunter’s feet. “Don’t screw this up, Ransom. I wish I could find a woman who loves me like she does you.”
His friend jumped into the SUV and took off toward the highway leading away from the CTC Ranch.
She looked over Hunter’s shoulder. “I see you installed my camera design.”
He smiled. “It’s brilliant. Why wouldn’t I use it?”
She clutched his shirt, her expression earnest. “Let me be a part of this. Noah told me about CTC. I can help. Let me use my talents to save people. Let me be what I was meant to be. Here, with you. As Marina Grainger. We make a great team.”
Was he dreaming? “Are you sure?”
Erin gripped his fingers. “This is my choice, Clay, Hunter, Ransom...or whoever you are today. I love you. I go to sleep dreaming of you. My heart misses you. My mind misses you. No one else makes me