Jude by Arcadia Shield

A lonely tech expert. A scarred, silky-voiced former government agent. With their combined skills, they must tackle a dangerous new threat that could destroy Earth. But it’s not just their lives at risk, it’s their hearts.
Jude Ember thrives on keeping his brothers, and everyone in the bunkers, safe. He works hard, loving what he does. But he has a weakness: Octavia. She’s under his skin, she haunts his dreams, and he longs to be with her. The trouble is, she’s just a voice on a pirate radio. They’ve never met. But he’s hooked. He has to meet her. A new threat from the State gives him the reason he needs to draw her closer. Will she live up to the fantasy he has created?

Octavia has survived alone for almost two years. She’s a shadow in the night, never staying in the same place for long. As a former government spy, skilled in infiltrating terrorist cells, she’s used to doing things her own way. Since the State took control, she’s covertly run Flame Radio. It gives her a way to reach others, without revealing her scars – both the physical and emotional ones. Then she hears an indecipherable message being sent by the State. She can’t crack it but knows it’s important. She has to get help. There’s only one person she trusts enough to reach out to. Jude.
But when she does, he’ll know the truth about her. He won’t want her. He’ll pity her. If he does, that would be worse than a year of torture by the State.

When they meet, sparks fly. But is it real, or does Jude feel sorry for Octavia? Now he’s met his fantasy, will she disappoint? Or will their union change the balance of power and send the State scuttling away on their scaly limbs?