Free Station Alpha: (Soldiering On #1) by Aislinn Kearns Page A

the house and fence meant that no one could enter from a neighbour’s yard undetected.
    “It’s very clever,” she told him.
    “I’ll point out all the cool stuff later, because a lot of it’s hidden. I should know, I designed it. But for now, I think we should get you safe and inside.”
    She blinked, surprised by Paul’s casual admission that he’d designed an entire high-tech security system.
    He opened up a panel on the ornate gateposts—the only decorative items, clearly designed to conceal some gadgetry—and began typing on a keypad. He then pressed his thumb down onto it, and typed in a second string of keys.
    The gate popped open and quickly wheeled across, silent and smooth despite its size. Christine stepped inside and immediately went to make her way a down the path next to the driveway. Paul’s fingers grasped hers, warm and firm.
    “I wouldn’t go that way,” he told her, tugging her away from the path. Christine froze, distracted by the feel of his hand in hers as much as his words.
    “Why not?” she asked, slowly turning towards him.
    He gave a rueful grin. “It’s not safe. It may have been…modified.”
    “You mean it’s like a minefield?” she asked, aghast.
    “Something like that.” She found his boyish grin incredibly charming, and couldn’t help but smile back.
    The warmth wrapped around her fingers reminded her that they were still holding hands, so she quickly squeezed once and let go. His fingers trailed across hers as she pulled away, the touch tingling up her arm. His piercing arctic eyes never left hers.
    Christine trembled, but not from cold. His gaze flickered down, noticing the shiver despite the warmth outside, and his gaze shuttered.
    “Let’s get you inside.”
    She followed his route as per his direction, finally making it to the front door. There was another set of commands, entered swiftly and silently.
    He finally swung the door open and pushed inside, disengaging what appeared to be an alarm just inside the door. And only then did he bid her enter.
    The hallway was clean and modern, with light wood floors and minimal furniture. She walked into the living room and it was much the same—an open space with few obstructions.
    “It’s nice,” she told him sincerely.
    “If you are stuck in a place a while, you want it to be comfortable.”
    She couldn’t argue with that.
    He led her through a door on the other side of the room, and then navigated a few tight turns expertly with his chair.
    “Less space, here,” she commented.
    He nodded, distracted. “It’s meant to slow down any attackers until you can get to the panic room.”
    Christine’s heart leapt into her throat and she stumbled. “There’s a panic room?”
    “Of course. I think you should take the bedroom next to it. If anything happens, you can just jump in there and lock it.” He glided forward, graceful in his chair. Christine hurried to catch up.
    “What about you?” she asked.
    He stopped and glanced at her over his shoulder with a frown. “I’ll hold them off until you get to safety.” He said this as if it was obvious.
    “Wouldn’t you be better coming in the panic room with me?”
    He shook his head. “The room is strong, but it isn’t infallible. Better if I can take out as many as possible. It’ll give you your best chance.”
    Christine stared at him. “No, then you’d leave me without protection. You should take the next closest bedroom. If the worst happens, we’ll go in together. I don’t want to be alone.”
    She felt manipulative saying it, but it was the truth. She didn’t want him to die for her, and she didn’t want to be trapped in a panic room on her own with the bad guys after her.
    Paul’s frown deepened. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” he told her. Christine knew without him saying that he had no intention of budging on the matter.
    They arrived at the room that Paul had designated as hers, and Christine stepped past him to look