A story of hidden truths, unexpected romance, and international crime from USA Today bestselling author S.E. Rose that will have you on the edge of your seat! He promised himself he’d leave his dark past behind. She swore she’d never love again. But rules are about to be broken—and their hearts will lie in the balance. Single mom, Laura meets a sexy, mysterious man on her trip to Scotland. But what she doesn’t know is that he is running from his past, and it’s about to catch up with him. Can broken hearts be mended? Can a former spy protect the woman he loves? *** As I round the bend and start the homestretch toward the cottage, I nearly run smack into Jack as he comes to a screeching halt in front of me. “Jack, what the…” My eyes follow his gaze and I stop mid-sentence, my breath hitches and for a moment we are frozen. Sitting on the patio is Leo, Simon, and a man I had never seen before this moment, but I recognize him immediately from photos…Alexei. Well, that’s an interesting trifecta, I think to myself. My mouth goes dry and Jack takes my hand. We walk slowly up to the patio. The next two hundred yards may as well be two miles for Jack slows down to a mere crawling pace. “Good morning, Jack,” says the man I presume to be Alexei with a smile that sends shivers down my spine. Then he turns to me. “Good morning, Laura. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” I know I’m gaping at him and I close my mouth quickly trying to regain my composure. I reach my hand across the table, my proper upbringing coming out in me. He grasps my hand and brings it to his lips, planting a soft kiss on it. I want to shudder, and I can feel Jack grip my other hand more tightly. “I’m so sorry. You have me at a disadvantage. I’m afraid we haven’t met before,” I say, trying to feign innocence. *** Island is the first book in the Deceitful Destiny Series. Each story follows different members of the same family as they find their soul mates while battling an ever-changing enemy who could destroy everything. Reading Island (Book 1) Secrets (Book 2) Bravura (Book 3) Determination (Book 4) Home (Book 5)