Being Emerald — Sylvia Ryan

Brave, beautiful, and not easily controlled -- even within a dictatorship -- Laila Lewis has finally attained the prestige of an Emerald designation. Now only one thing is keeping her from her life's goal of retrieving the Declaration of Independence and other priceless artifacts from the wild unknown of the Onyx Zone: the six weeks of training necessary to ensure her survival outside the city walls. But she won't be going it alone…

After a year as a designated Emerald, rugged, sensual ex-cop Rock Rodgers is finally prepared to leave New Atlanta for good. Six weeks of training is the only thing standing between him and his next mission: to disappear into the freedom of the Onyx Zone where the long-armed rule of the Gov can't reach him. But when the chemistry between him and Laila reaches a boiling point, with captivity just one false move away, will he have to escape on his own -- or risk everything for a woman more tempting than freedom...

CONTENT WARNING: Contains explicit sexual language and content, m/f, and elements of BDSM that may be objectionable to some readers.