MARINE

Jaymes Ford has never measured up to his brother. He was always second best as kids, he crashed and burned in SEAL training, and when Jaymes was kidnapped, the woman he loved fell for his brother. Kelsea Arnold wants to believe she’s losing her mind, but she can’t shake the feeling of being watched. She’s never seen him, but she can feel him. Watching her. Following her. Wanting her. Jaymes has nothing to offer the gorgeous, curvy woman who shows up on his mother’s doorstep trembling. He has no idea if she’s telling the truth or if it’s all in her head. But he knows how it feels to be in her shoes and chooses to protect her, even if it’s only from herself. When it’s clear Kelsea is in grave danger, Jaymes vows to keep her safe. He’s finally found someone who makes him feel like he’s the better brother, and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.

Badass. Kickass. Sometimes just ass. All words that define former SEAL, Archer Ford. Former because an error he made sent his friend and teammate home to his pregnant wife in a body bag. Lily Scott doesn’t know her best friend’s estranged brother. He’s always been a mystery to her. But when her best friend disappears, she has no choice but to call Archer for help. Archer can barely trust his instincts let alone his desire for the beautiful, curvy woman he finds in his brother’s bed. She assures him they’re just friends, but he doesn’t know how anyone could resist her. Archer definitely isn’t strong enough. The rest of his team shows up to help search for Archer’s brother and everyone becomes a suspect, including Lily. Trust is questioned and broken. And freedom is guaranteed to no one.

Pilar Luna knows better than to trust a man, especially one with a sexy smile and a self-deprecating sense of humor. The last time she did that, she almost ended up dead. She would have been if not for her brother. Not that he was perfect. Lying men were all Pilar knew. Former SEAL, Jack Farrell has no interest in getting close to anyone. He has his team and doesn’t need anyone else. Definitely not a stunning, curvy woman with aa feisty side and strength for days. Jack’s team has been working on taking down the dangerous men Pilar’s ex works for, but they aren’t willing to let it happen without a few casualties. They send her ex to deal with it, but taking her brother isn’t enough. He won’t return home unless Pilar is with him. The search for Pilar’s brother forces Jack and Pilar closer together when Jack is tasked with keeping her safe. But finding her brother means putting Pilar in danger. It means showing their hand to the man who could take everything away from him. And it means the one thing Pilar needs from Jack is something he can’t give her. The truth.

Former SEAL Daniel Dunn always relied on his instincts. They never led him wrong, until he was deceived by two people he trusted with his life. Now, Dunn doubts himself at every turn. As the leader, he needs to be in control, but he’s a mess. He wants revenge, and answers, but all he gets is a woman he never thought he’d see again begging for his help. Ashleigh Edwards never forgot her first love. Once upon a time, she thought Daniel would be hers forever, but he had other plans. Plans that didn’t include her. She moved on and built a life without Daniel, but when she discovers her husband’s secrets, the only person who can keep her safe is the one man who chose his duty over her the last time they saw each other. Dunn can’t turn Ashleigh away, but he can’t trust her either. When someone else from his past returns, he doesn’t know how to keep Ashleigh safe and take down the man who betrayed him.

It should have been a quick trip to the bank. Cash a check so she could pay her rent and get to the interview on time. Instead, Kyra found herself lying on the floor, unable to move as three men robbed the bank and killed the guard who tried to stop them. The moment Slade realized he’d been drugged, he fought it. He tried to take in everything, but the drugs were strong, and he went down, staring into the eyes of the curvy woman who collapsed first. He wanted to tell her everything would be okay, but even if he could speak, he couldn’t get the words out. He knew there was no guarantee of that. When the woman from the bank shows up for an interview, Slade pushes the team to hire her. Kyra is smart and beautiful and perfect for the job. She’s also off-limits. But when another bank is hit, the lines between Slade and Kyra are blurred. They lean on each other, and everything they thought they knew gets flipped upside down.

Nicole Burke would do anything for her child. As a single mom, her son always came first. She never thought twice about giving up dates or jobs or friends to take care of him. When all hope was lost, she dove deep into a dark world she never knew existed and made a deal with a man she was sure would just as soon kill her as help her. Rocky showing up was the answer to Nikki’s prayers, until he said he wanted to know his son. Too many people let Nikki down for her to trust again, but her son is the most loving person she’s ever known and welcomes the tough, strong, sexy former SEAL into their lives with wide open arms. The happy reunion doesn’t last long. Threatening phone calls and late night visitors make it clear the man Nikki went to for help is ready for his payment, and he is more than willing to take his fee from her. By any means necessary.

Mason O’Connor knows his place in the world. Save a few good guys, eliminate a few bad guys, and keep to himself. He wasn’t always on the right side of that equation, and he paid for his sins. At least, that’s what most people said. Most, but not all. Megan O’Keefe needs a break from the mundane life she created for herself. Every day was the same, and a change of scenery and a month with her brother and his elite team sounded like a perfect escape. A little action, a new place, and the scenery wasn’t so bad. And she’s not talking about Niagara Falls. After a chance encounter with someone from his past, Mason lets down his guard and lets Megan get a little too close. She wakes up in his bed and declares she’s going to stay with him for the rest of her trip. There’s only one problem. Someone in Mason’s past isn’t willing to let another woman into his life. And she’s not the only one unhappy about the two of them being together.

Liam Johnson has always been the quiet one of the group. He hides behind a screen and watches as life unfolds for people all around the world. He served his country and now serves his team, but he’s never been the one people run to for help, especially not women. Caitlyn Powers was born with the world at her beck and call. As a child model, she had everything she could have ever wanted. She never understood the word no, and she never cared to. But everything changed when her entire world came crashing down around her and the one person she always counted on disappeared. Liam expects his trip home for his parents’ 40th anniversary party to be quick and uneventful. The curvy waitress who serves him dinner looks just like his high school crush. When she gives him her phone number and asks him to meet her after the party, Liam knows there’s no way it’s Caitlyn. Except he’s wrong. And meeting her might be the most dangerous thing he’s ever done.

Ryker Hamilton doesn’t have grand plans. He’s always been second best. Second thought, second in command, second place in everything. He’s comfortable there. He’s gotten used to his role. He doesn’t need anything to change. He doesn’t want anything to change. Taylor Wright is used to being in charge. As the oldest in her family, she was the one responsible when her father left them alone, and as the CEO of the company she created from the ground up, she’s responsible for everything. Which is why whoever is after her company is after her. Taylor resists her brother’s suggestion to hire independent security, but when someone breaks into her house, she accepts that she needs help. Accepting help from Ryker might mean surrendering more than just her schedule to someone else’s control. It might mean surrendering her heart, too. But that’s one piece of her that is not up for negotiation.