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Brothers. Boone knew that both men were former Navy SEALs, and from what Vander had shared, badasses.
The tall woman smiled. “I’m Dani Navarro-Ward, Cal’s wife.”
“Dani Navarro? The photographer?” Gemma clapped her hands together. “I have a framed picture of Angkor Wat you took at sunrise, hanging in my apartment. I love it.”
The woman shared a brief smile with her husband. “I’m glad you like it. And you’re Gemma Newhouse. I watchedCake and Bake. That red velvet cake you made in the finale was sensational.”
Gemma smiled. “I can’t take a decent picture to save my life, but I can bake a mean red velvet cake.”
The woman in the chair swiveled. Her blue gaze was sharp and direct. “And I’m Darcy Burke. I used to be a Ward. Gemma, Vander’s team brought us up to speed on everything you’ve been through. How are you holding up?”
“I’m feeling pretty lucky that I fell in Boone’s river. Without him, I wouldn’t have made it.”
“I just finished removing any trace that your truck drove into LoDo. Should throw the mercenaries off your trail.”
“Thank you,” Gemma said.
The little girl in Cal’s arms wriggled, her gaze on Atlas. “Doggie.”
“And who are you, sweetie?” Gemma asked.
“I’m Emmy.” She gave Gemma a shy smile.
Boone didn’t have much experience with kids, so the best he could tell, Emmy was a few years old.
The girl held her hands out to Declan.
“Someone wants her daddy.” Darcy smiled. “Her mom’s away, so she gets clingy.”
“My wife, Layne, is an archeologist,” Declan said. “She’s away on a dig for a week.”
“Mama?” the little girl asked hopefully.
“She’ll be home soon, sweetness.” Declan kissed the top of her head. “Is it okay if she pats Atlas?”
“Sure,” Boone said. “He’ll love it.”
Declan held the little girl while she patted the dog and beamed.
“She should be in bed,” Dani added. “But she refused until Declan could do the honors.”
“Which will be very soon.” Declan expertly set the little girl on his hip, and she snuggled against his shoulder. “Boone, we have a couple of clean cellphones for you and Gemma, as well as a secure laptop. And some weapons and gear.”
“Thank you,” Boone said.
“And I have this for you.” Darcy held up a small device. “It’ll create a secure hotspot for you that can’t be traced.”
“I can offer you the apartment upstairs, if you need a place to stay,” Declan added.
Boone shook his head. “I’ve got a friend in the mountains. We’re going up there.”
Declan nodded. “Remote, and out of sight. Good choice. There are too many cameras in the city.”
“And these guys have already tracked us twice since we’ve been on the road. Not giving them another chance.”
A computer pinged and Darcy whirled, then tapped on the keyboard. “Guys, Vander just sent some intel.” She looked up, her blue gaze sharp. “He’s identified who hired the mercenaries who are after Gemma.”
Boone stiffened.
