Sidelined. Not the direction U.S. Navy SEAL Flint O’Connell thought his career would take. But he hadn’t imagined his team’s new recruits would be skimming drug money, either. The reason he and his three buddies are sequestered to the Big Island—waiting—while their CO gathers evidence. Being in paradise and training with the Brotherhood Protectors takes the sting off a bit. Meeting Emery McClane—serious crimes detective and part time security at Ohana’s bar—fate in the making. And if he can just figure out how to move beyond friends, he might have that new direction he’s been looking for. Charming her into allowing him to drive her home is a start. Asking her out on a date, even better. Until a routine safety check turns into a full-scale mission, with armed mercenaries gunning for her. Flint doesn’t know what kind of trouble she’s stumbled into, but it’s clear they aren’t backing down until they either kill Emery or die trying. The latter works for Flint, and he’s pulling out all the stops. He might have to play by different rules, but he’s still got his team with him. And with their help, he’ll have Emery’s back. It doesn’t matter how many men they send or what tactics they use, he’ll beat the odds. Because Emery’s his future, and this is one battle he can’t afford to lose.