Page 67 of Too Broken to Love

Held it.

Let it out nice and slow.

He repeated the calming ritual until the torment he’d been carrying transformed into not just hope, but a living purpose deep in his marrow he hadn’t felt in a long time.

The drive to serve, to heal, to change lives that was ingrained in his DNA couldn’t be ignored.

He turned back to the group. “Tell me more about Project VIPER.”

Thompson outlined the future of the program. “There’s still a lot of trials to pass before we’re mission ready, and we wouldn’t ask for a binding commitment until that happens, but we’re confident we’ll be fully operational in a year.”

Just thinking about the adrenaline rush of serving with a team of bionic super soldiers lit Hudson up. But the future he saw with the little thief who made the mansion feel like home again didn’t lessen his excitement. It collided head-on with the possibility of never coming home to her.

Thompson set his hands on the table and leaned toward Hudson. “What do you say, Langley? Are you ready to go down in the history books with Project VIPER?”

Hudson led Tessa through the throng of couples on the ballroom dance floor. He nodded to a group of young Marines and their dates as he brushed his lips against the ear of the woman who outshone them all. “Did I tell you how breathtaking you look tonight?”

She smiled up at him. “Yes. And since I’m never taking this gorgeous gown off, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to keep telling me.”

He shifted his hand from the middle of her bare back to the zipper hugging the side of her ribcage. “It’s not the gown that makes you beautiful, and it’s coming off as soon as I can get you alone again.”

Her mouth dropped open in the sexy O shape he’d forever associate with the heaven she could create with it. He traced her lower lip with the tip of his finger. “If you’re good and come when I tell you, I’ll let you put the dress back on while I give you orgasm number two.”

Her cheeks darkened to a couple of shades lighter than the burgundy silk.

“Will you keep this on?” She tugged on the lapels of his jacket. “I’ve been waiting a year to see my superhero on the fridge in his uniform.”

The director’s question played in his head for what felt like the hundredth time since he’d left the Pentagon. He nipped at Tessa’s chin, masking the turmoil he didn’t trust himself to hide.

Are you ready to go down in the history books with Project VIPER?

Yeah, he was. But thanks to Pop’s matchmaking from the grave, VIPER wasn’t the only future he’d wanted.

Joining the program meant training in D.C. He didn’t want to be away from Tessa even for a day, let alone a week or a month.

The woman he hated having out of his sight, even for a few minutes, slipped in front of him and kissed him on the lips. “I’m just going to the ladies’ room. Be right back.”

He pulled his phone out of his pocket as she stepped away and thumbed open the tracking app. The red dot marking her location glowed like a beacon.

“Hey, Langley. Is that you, man?”

Hudson jerked his head up. A pilot he knew from his time in Okinawa strode toward him with a beer in each hand. As Hudson fought to recall his name, a waiter with a loaded tray stepped between them. The pilot ducked around the obstacle but misjudged his trajectory. As the waiter stumbled, empty glasses flew in Tessa’s direction.

Hudson lunged forward and shot his arm around her waist. His ribs raged with pain as he set her aside. “Did any glass land on you?”

“I’m fine.” She bent and picked up his phone. “You dropped this during your daring…” She looked closer at the screen. “What is that red dot and why is my name beneath it?”

Cursing under his breath, he guided her away from the broken glass and the pilot who called after him. Sparkles splintered off the crystal chandeliers and danced across her darkening features.

“I can’t believe it.” She gripped the edge of a high-top. “You’re tracking me?”

He nudged her into a secluded corner as the deejay encouraged more people onto the dance floor. “I can explain.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “You know who used to say that? Frank.”

The comparison to her father slapped him so hard the red and green disco ball lights blurred around him. “I’m sorry. I should have told you. I…”

“I don’t need to ask where the tracker is, do I?” She covered the ruby with her fingers. “Is that the real reason you wanted me to wear this?” Tears brimmed in her eyes. “How much of that story was a lie?”