A brilliant scientist out to save the world. A jaded agent looking to save the one he lost. And a conspiracy that spans oceans, reaching into the deepest parts of American national security. Lennon is a genius. He’s devoted his energy and his time to designing products to save lives. He’s gotten rich doing it, too. This time he’s created something to revolutionize war, crime, and policing -- a bullet that heals. He’s on top of the world and the one thing he needs is someone to share it with. The one he loved disappeared without a trace years ago, and until he gets closure he can’t commit. Ben is an agent with an agency so secretive for years people didn’t know it existed. He screwed up years ago and fell in love with the man he was supposed to be guarding. Now his lost love is in danger again. He’s developed a product bad actors all over the world will want to get their hands on. When Ben’s superiors order him back to Lennon’s side, he goes without hesitation. There’s only one catch -- Lennon can’t know he’s there. When one of those bad actors strikes, all the rules go out the window. Can Lennon overcome his mistrust once he knows the truth about Ben? When the enemy turns up the heat, will Ben manage to save Lennon from people who want him to kill?

Under His Skin

It only took them twenty minutes to get to the Panera in West Ossippee, because Ben had a lead foot on the best of days and this was not the best of days for Ben. He saw no signs of trouble from the restaurant exterior. The windows were bright and clear, and he could see the people inside the restaurant were going about their business and enjoying their meals.


That didn’t mean there wasn’t any danger. The kidnapper could easily have a gun on Lennon in the restaurant right now or be waiting to shoot when they got him outside.


Townsend led the way into the restaurant. Ben followed. Both had a gun drawn under their coats, ready to shoot if the occasion called for it. Every screaming child was a potential terrorist who needed to be put down to save Lennon’s life. Every coughing farm worker was a foreign spy willing to take an innocent scientist abroad against his will. Every giggling teenager was a bad actor, looking to use a high-value target like Lennon for their own ends.


Chapter 17