Hero complex, p.1
Hero Complex, page 1
Hero Complex
Synopsis
Being labeled a mad scientist doesn’t faze Bronte Scales. Accidentally gaining superpowers didn’t even seem that strange. It’s not until she realizes someone is out to get her and her do-it-yourself super tech invention, that she reluctantly becomes one part of a superpowered crime fighting team. Then things really get out of hand. And somewhere along the way she accidentally kidnaps a nurse—a smart, kind, and beautiful sort of nurse. Bronte’s screwed.
Athena Papadaki doesn’t have superpowers, but she’s scary good at squeezing everything she can from each waking minute. That feels heroic until she’s kidnapped by a group of knuckleheads who need more rescuing than she does. Once she’s done saving the day, she’ll walk away and most certainly never think about Bronte Scales ever again. Nothing to see here.
Can Bronte and Athena, and their unlikely friends, work together to defeat Bronte’s archnemesis? The fate of love, humanity, and the world might depend on it. No pressure.
What Reviewers Say About Jesse J. Thoma’s Work
Wisdom
“I like Jesse J. Thoma’s writing style and the topic of drug addiction and health problems she addresses is interesting and still an actual problem all over the world. …Drug use, addiction, and in this context safety and health are perennial issues that every mayor of any city has to deal with. Obviously, this is an important topic for the author, and she writes it very well. All in all, this was an entertaining political story.”—Lez Review Books
“Every time I read a book by Jesse J. Thoma, I remember how much I enjoy the way she combines heavy topics and light writing. Despite being book 3 in a series (after Serenity and Courage), this book can be read as a standalone. …This book is an interesting blend of instalust and slow burn. Sophia and Reggie start flirting on their first meet and almost never stop. The sparks are everywhere and it’s all very exciting. All the edging and sexy talk are pretty damn hot too.”—Jude in the Stars
Courage
“Thoma writes very endearing characters, extraordinary people in normal lives. …A slow burn romance with plenty of sparks and chemistry.”—Jude in the Stars
“Set in the same universe as Serenity, Thoma has again done a great job of exploring difficult, relevant topics in an accessible way, whilst also managing to include a believable romance and some much needed elements of humour.”—LGBTQ+ Reader
“I love a serious police procedural. Add in an enchanting romance with beautiful characters, and you have the perfect novel. That is exactly what I found in Courage by Jesse J. Thoma. I was hooked on page one, and was sad to leave this tale when I reached the end.”—Rainbow Reflections
“Courage is a slow burn romance with plenty of sparks and chemistry. You can always count on Jesse J. Thoma to write solid but tender stories.”—Rainbow Literary Society
“I LOVED that Thoma addresses the issues of police reform, Black Lives Matter, and ‘defund the police’ in a non-political way. She brings these issues into the story in a way that makes SO MUCH sense.”—Love, Literature
“Jesse J. Thoma brings two stories to life in parallel, one being the work and dynamics of the new ride-along program and how the two protagonists deal with it, and the other the romance between the two. I loved both parts. …Highly recommended for anyone looking for a good cop/social worker story who enjoys angst and tricky situations.”—Lez Review Books
Serenity
“Serenity is the perfect example of opposites attract. …I’m a sucker for stories of redemption and for characters who push their limits, prove themselves to be more than others seem to think. This lesbian opposites attract romance book is all that, and well-written too.”—Lez Review Books
“I really liked this one. I liked the pace, the stakes, and the characterizations. The relationship builds well, there are likeable supporting characters, and of course, you’re rooting for Kit and Thea even as your heart breaks for both of them and their situations. It’s a sweet romance, and I appreciated that a lot of the issues Kit faces have nothing to do with her sexuality in a predominately male-driven, sexist profession.”—Kissing Backwards
The Chase
“The primary couple’s initial meeting is a uniquely amusing yet action-packed scenario. I was definitely drawn into the dynamic events of this thoroughly gratifying book via an artfully droll and continuously exciting story. Spectacularly entertaining!”—Rainbow Book Reviews
Seneca Falls—Lambda Literary Award Finalist
“Loneliness and survival are the two themes dominating Seneca King’s life in Thoma’s emotionally raw contemporary lesbian romance. Thoma bluntly and uncompromisingly portrays Seneca’s struggles with chronic pain, emotional trauma, and uncertainty.”—Publishers Weekly
“This was another extraordinary book that I could not put down. Magnificent!”—Rainbow Book Reviews
“…a deeply moving account of a young woman trying to raise herself from the ashes of a youth-gone-wrong. Thoma has given us a redemptive tale—and Seneca isn’t the only one who needs saving. Told with just enough wit and humor to break the tension that arises from living with villainous ghosts from the past, this is a tale woven into a narrative tapestry of healing and wholeness.”—Lambda Literary
Pedal to the Metal
“Sassy and sexy meet adventurous and slightly nerdy in Thoma’s much-anticipated sequel to The Chase. Tongue-in-cheek wit keeps the fast-moving action from going off the rails, all balanced by richly nuanced interpersonal relationships and sweet, realistic romance.”—Publishers Weekly
“[Pedal to the Metal] has a wonderful cast of characters including the two primary women from the first book in subsidiary roles and some classy good guys versus bad guys action. …The people, the predicaments, the multi-level layers of both the storyline and the couples populating the Rhode Island landscapes once again had me glued to the pages chapter after chapter. This book works so well on so many levels and is a wonderful complement to the opening book of this series that I truly hope the author will add several additional books to the series. Mystery, action, passion, and family linked together create one amazing reading experience. Scintillating!”—Rainbow Book Reviews
Hero Complex
Brought to you by
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http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com
eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.
Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.
By the Author
Tales of Lasher, Inc.
The Chase
Pedal to the Metal
Data Capture
The Serenity Prayer Series
Serenity
Courage
Wisdom
Other Romances
Seneca Falls
Hero Complex
Hero Complex
© 2023 By Jesse J. Thoma. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 13: 978-1-63679-281-1
This Electronic Original Is Published By
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Valley Falls, NY 12185
First Edition: January 2023
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Credits
Editors: Victoria Villaseñor and Cindy Cresap
Production Design: Susan Ramundo
Cover Design by Inkspiral Design
eBook Design by Toni Whitaker
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, thank you to Sandy and Rad and the BSB team. Superheroes don’t get work done alone and this book wouldn’t have seen the light of day without the amazing support at BSB. Sandy especially provided her usual insights and guidance, and I’m grateful.
To Vic, we started with bounty hunters and ended with superheroes and had a pretty good run in the middle too. I cannot thank you enough for making me a writer. I’m even thankful for your voice in my head scolding me when I’m writing a sentence I know you’d hate. This book would have been significantly worse for wear without your guidance. Thank you.
To my kids, thank you for saying you want to be a writer when you grow up because it “looks like a really easy job” and thank you for sharing your book ideas with me, even if they’re mostly about unicorns and dinosaurs. I could not love you more.
To my wife, I could not ask for a better supporter, cheerleader, and partner than you. I will never write a story that comes close to what we have together, but it’s fun to try.
Finally, to the readers, thank you for picking up this book. Whether it’s your first of mine or you’ve read every one I’ve written, it’s an honor to write for you. I’ve loved superheroes long before they were cool. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I loved writing it.
Dedication
To Alexis,
Love rocks and I only want to rock with you.
To Goose, Bird, and little Purple Martin,
I love you yesterday, today, and tomorrow too.
Chapter One
; Bard Verstrand studied the monitor. She squinted and leaned closer trying to make out the images from the discreetly placed surveillance camera in the corner of the science lab.
“This is live, correct?” She jabbed at the screen and turned to the group of her employees standing aimlessly behind her.
No one answered.
“I asked if this was live.”
“Yes, ma’am. She’s, uh, Dr. Scales is in the lab now. It’s a live feed from our camera.”
Bard studied the monitor again. She found the spying distasteful, but she had no choice.
“Antonio, how close is she?”
Now that he’d been summoned, Bard’s right-hand man stepped forward and leaned over the desk, mirroring her own position. “She’s almost completed her work. Our window of opportunity likely closes at the end of the day. You know what needs to be done.”
Sweat materialized on Bard’s palms and her mouth felt dry. She scrubbed her hands on her outrageously expensive pencil skirt to rid herself of the outward sign of her unease.
Antonio put his hand on her shoulder and spoke so only Bard could hear. “I know you’ve been unsure about taking this path, but trust yourself. Your father left the company to you for exactly these moments. He trusted you to find the innovations that would steer Verstrand Industries into the future, and you have. It’s time to take what’s yours.”
Bard nodded as she once again watched Bronte Scales. She was a brilliant scientist who’d rented lab space in her building for years. The science might be above her head, but she prided herself on understanding people and she’d known the moment Bronte had set foot in the building she could one day help her fulfill her legacy.
“I don’t have much choice, do I?” Bard could hear the regret in her own voice. What was her act of self-interest, her act of survival, going to cost Bronte?
“If she’s as gifted as you say, there is more out there for her to discover.” Antonio stood, ready to give the order for his men to move on Bronte’s lab.
Bard hesitated. Was she so afraid of disappointing her father that she was ready to ruin a woman’s career? She’d never thought herself a coward. She considered the feeling of sitting in front of her father and telling him Verstrand Industries had nothing new to bring to market for the foreseeable future because she didn’t have the ovaries to confront one unarmed, unsuspecting scientist.
“Let’s move.” Bard stood so abruptly her chair skittered back, slamming into the man standing at attention behind her desk. “I’m coming with you.”
“Ma’am, you don’t have to do that. You can watch here.” Antonio pointed to the monitor.
“I’m coming. I want to ensure all the data and materials are secured. There’s a lot riding on this operation.” Bard headed for the door forcing her men to scramble to keep up.
Antonio fell in beside her barking orders into his radio, coordinating the raid they’d been planning for weeks.
Once outside the door to the lab, Antonio silently directed the men into their final positions. Bard had watched these maneuvers on other operations via the emotionally distanced video feed Antonio dutifully provided, but it was altogether different participating in the action herself.
Her heart pounded so aggressively as she watched Antonio silently count down that she could feel it in her neck, her temple, and her fingers. No one around her looked the least bit uneasy. Were they not frightened? How did they keep their nerves at bay?
Before Antonio finished his countdown and Bard could worry herself into an ulcer or into rushing the door before the rest of the team was ready, someone called out from within.
“It’s unlocked. No need to break it down. Come in when you’re done posturing in the hall.”
Bard clenched her teeth and grabbed Antonio by the front of the shirt. “That’s her. How does she know we’re here?”
Antonio looked to the door as if it might provide the answers he clearly didn’t have himself.
“If she knew we were coming she’s probably in there destroying the data or hiding it well enough we’ll never find it. Get your men in there and secure what we came for.” Bard let go of Antonio’s shirt and shoved him toward the lab.
Despite Bronte’s assurance the door was unlocked, one of the men broke it anyway. Bard shoved her way in after the first three entered. She was dismayed at the scene that greeted her.
A trash can stood in the middle of the room engulfed in flames. The fire suppression system hadn’t engaged so Bronte must have disabled it before setting fire to the bin. Beakers, pipettes, and test tubes were smashed in the sink and on the floor.
“Sorry for the mess, boys.” Bronte casually leaned against one of the lab benches, her hands in the pockets of her white lab coat. “Although I guess you aren’t concerned about that.” She nodded at the door lying on the floor.
Bard balled her fists. Her wrists were like iron and her face was on fire. She stormed to Bronte and stopped inches from her. “How dare you destroy what was mine.”
“None of this was ever yours.” Bronte pushed off her perch nearly colliding with Bard.
“Everything and anything I need to make Verstrand Industries successful is mine.”
Bronte reached behind her, grabbed her laptop which was still open on the bench, and stepped around Bard. “If you say so. The thing is, here in the real world there are laws and rules, and general human decency. You and your ten armed goons have a look around if you want. Put out the fire when you’re done and fix the door. I’ve got nothing to say to you.”
Bard grabbed Bronte’s arm as she walked past. She took a deep breath. She’d made her angry so she’d not been concentrating but she was now. First, the laptop. Bronte wasn’t leaving with the laptop. She pointed to the computer and one of the men stepped forward to retrieve it.
“I really wish you’d let me walk out the door. I worked hard on this project.” Bronte looked regretfully at the laptop before voice-activating the device and requesting “last resort.”
Bronte threw it along the floor across the lab to the point farthest from where they stood. Bard pointed at the computer and two men started after it.
“I wouldn’t do that.” Bronte made an explosive motion with her hands.
Bard could see the smoke coming from the laptop. She waved the men back in time to see electronic debris, guts, and parts fly in every direction. Everyone ducked to avoid the shrapnel.
As she shielded herself, Bard noticed Bronte’s right hand return to her lab coat pocket as if she were protecting something. She was hurriedly moving toward the door while the rest of the group was trying not to die by laptop.
“Antonio, her pocket. Whatever’s in her right lab coat pocket, bring it to me.” Bard stood and followed Bronte and Antonio, both of whom had exited into the hall.
Before she made the door, she could tell an altercation was in progress just beyond her line of sight. Human bodies smashing into walls cannot be done quietly. As Bard exited the lab, Antonio and Bronte crashed to the floor, fighting for the upper hand and the contents of Bronte’s pocket.
Bronte delivered a well-timed blow to Antonio’s left eye, stunning him long enough for her to kick him off her. Bard watched helplessly as she removed a syringe from her lab coat, plunged the needle into her thigh, and injected the contents into her body.
An angry shriek filled every nook and cranny in the hall, and it took a beat or two before Bard realized the sound was coming from her. What were these feelings? How was this woman bringing them to the surface? Rage? Fear? Exhilaration? She grabbed the gun from the holster of the nearest man and ran to Bronte, who was kneeling with one hand against the wall, sweating and gasping for breath.
“I told you, anything I need for the success of my company is mine, you bitch. Now I need what’s in your blood, so you’re mine too.” Bard raised the gun and brought the butt down on the back of Bronte’s head. She landed unconscious at Bard’s feet.
