Obsessed by Angela Ford Page A

plane’s coordinates, Nikki could; but why raced through his thoughts. He didn’t want to believe she would do this to him or his team.
    The co-pilot interrupted Mike’s thoughts. “From what I can gather, there’s an open field we can attempt to use as a runway. With the limited power of the landing gear, it may work. I’m just not sure if we have enough space with our speed. We’re going to hit hard.”
    The pilot turned to Mike. “Can you hack in and get us any more control?”
    Mike raced against the little time they had. “Damn she’s good,” Mike whispered under his breath. “But she can’t compete with me.” Without taking his eyes off the laptop he informed the pilot of his success. “We have complete control of the landing gear now. I’m working on control of the engine speed.”
    “We’re out of time, Mike. Make sure everyone is belted in and pray.”
    The pilot’s words hit Mike with the reality they were about to crash. He rushed back to his team.

Chapter Two

    Three days before the crash.

    Mike Turner moved his fingers relentlessly across the keyboard. His first case as team leader of the ISTF successfully ended in an arrest and the safe return of a teen to her anxious parents. He felt a smile creep across his face, not only of the accomplishment of his newly adapted leadership, but one of genuine relief that the young girl had been untouched by the Internet predator that’d kidnapped her the day before. Mike finalized his report and hit Send. Exhausted after thirty-six hours with no sleep; his finger reached for the shutdown key when a warning box flashed on his screen You’ve Been Hacked . He smiled. He knew exactly who hacked into his computer. Mike wasn’t the least bit worried about the warning. In fact, his mind and body were no longer exhausted; the only thought that now crossed his mind—Nikki Dubois.
    Mike met Nikki at an FBI cyber safety seminar held in Houston. Nikki Dubois measured a mere two inches below his six-feet. Her blonde waves and big blues would have made any man look twice. Not Mike. He heard her before he saw her. He immediately fell in love with her brilliant mind. He overheard her discussion of a well-known FBI case, one Mike’s team handled under the leadership of SSA Jessica Resario. Mike smiled as he listened. Enthralled with her description of how well his team unraveled the case and successfully made an arrest, he decided to introduce himself. Her smile threw him off and he sucked in a quick breath. Her beauty caught him off guard. Mike had never been a ladies man like his team member, SA Eric Matthews, but for some odd reason, he wanted to make his move. Her knowledgeable conversation intrigued him. Her computer literate mind captured his attention. Mike cleared his throat.
    “SSA Mike Turner of San Francisco’s ISTF.” He extended his hand and nervously smiled. His anxiety relaxed with her reply.
    “It’s an honor to meet you, SSA Turner. I’ve followed your team’s cases. Congratulations on your recent promotion.” Nikki placed her hand in his. Mike felt the electricity soar through the one simple touch. The man who rambled like there was no tomorrow, as Jess always said, was left speechless by the woman who stood before him. Mike stood quiet. He followed her eyes to their hands and realized he hadn’t let go.
    “Sorry.” He released her hand.
    Nikki smiled politely and said, “I’m sorry too. How rude of me not to introduce myself. I’m Nikki Dubois. I’m the Senior Computer Analyst with the L.A. office.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Dubois.” Mike’s heart raced. For the first time in his life he had the sudden urge to kiss a complete stranger. He felt his cheeks blush at the thought. He hoped she hadn’t noticed.
    “Please, call me Nikki.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, Nikki. Please call me Mike.” Stop being such a dork. You definitely are not as smooth as Eric. He’d have this woman melting in his hands by now. Forget it,