Free Cruz: Scifi Alien Invasion Romance (Hell Squad Book 2) by Anna Hackett Page B

sure I can’t have a turn flying it?”
    “I’m sure.”
    A pause. “Maybe I could bribe you with something?”
    The slight, seductive drawl in her voice made him go hard. Dammit . “You probably could.”
    “Hmm, I just have to work out what I have that you want.”
    He caught her gaze. “I want everything you have. All of it.”
    Her smile evaporated and she just stared at him. “I’m not that special.”
    “We covered this already. Brave, helps others and never gives up.”
    She snorted. “I’m not a saint, Cruz.”
    “I know. I don’t want a saint. Believe me, once I get you in bed, or against a wall, I want the opposite of saintly.”
    A faint blush stained her cheeks. “When we get back from this recon mission, then we’ll see.”
    Oh, yeah, they would. “Now, stop distracting me. A hard-on in armor is really uncomfortable.”
    As she laughed again, he turned his attention to the controls. They soared in over the outskirts of the city. Elle updated him on raptor troop movements on the ground, but thankfully, the air space was free.
    “We’ll land in a strip of parkland by the harbor and then go in on foot,” he said. “It’s about two kilometers to the raptor installation. There’s a row of old shops and restaurants next door, we’ll use the roof as a vantage point.”
    Santha nodded. “Got it.”
    As the computer guided them into the landing area, Cruz felt that familiar tingle he got in his blood just before his boots hit dirt on a mission. A clarity, an intense focus that couldn’t be matched by anything else.
    “Get ready for landing.”
    Their speed dropped off and eventually the engine cut out. Cruz glided them in and they scooted across the grass, the reverse thrusters making them stop before they neared the water.
    Touch down.
    ***
    “Hell of a ride, soldier,” Santha said.
    “I’m sure I could say something inappropriate to that comment, querida .”
    She grinned. The man really was too sexy for his own good. And that accent…she thought hearing it more would make her immune to it.
    Nope . “I bet you could.” She touched the control for the canopy and it slid open. “But we have a mission.”
    They both climbed out of the Darkswift. Santha checked her crossbow before sliding it over her shoulder. Across the glider, Cruz did the same with his carbine.
    He strode around to join her. “You need to activate your combat helmet.” He touched the side of her neck, his fingers brushing over skin until he found a button at the neck of her armor. The helmet extended from her armor, sliding over her head.
    “Neat,” she said.
    “It’s made of a thin, extremely strong thermoplastic.” He activated his own. “Now, I suggest you take the lead.”
    “What?”
    “You know this city better than anyone. I’d be crazy not to use your expertise.”
    She hitched her crossbow up and nodded. God, the man just kept making her like him more.
    After a quick glance at the comp screen attached to her wrist to check the map Elle had uploaded for them, she headed off. “We’ll stick to the buildings along the water’s edge and use them for cover.”
    He tapped the side of his helmet. “There’s a button here to activate your night-vision lens.” A small eyepiece slipped over his right eye.
    She flicked hers on. The night showed up in shades of green. They fell into a quick pace, Cruz following closely behind her, a warm, intense presence. She moved quickly and quietly, sticking to the shadows. She fell into her usual way of moving to stay invisible.
    That was the key to this mission, being invisible. In and out. They’d get their intel, confirm the prisoners were either at this raptor installation or not, and then get out.
    So why did she have a huge gnawing sensation in her gut that a big pile of crap was headed their way?
    Santha suddenly halted and pushed her back against the wall. Cruz followed suit and gripped his carbine. She tilted her head, listening. She was positive she’d