Their love is a risk neither can afford—but it might be the only thing worth fighting for.

Former Special Forces Operative Bradyn Hunt may have left battlefields behind for his family's Texas ranch, but he’s still fighting—now as the head of Hunt Brothers Search and Rescue. He and his team tackle the toughest missing persons cases, reuniting families and seeking answers.

Kennedy Smith has been on the run for years, living under different names and never getting attached. Her latest hiding place is as a ranch hand at the Hunt family’s property, figuring there’s no safer place than among a group of Army veterans. But she didn’t count on falling for Bradyn, the quiet, determined leader who just rolled back into town.

Just as she considers staying, her past catches up. The danger she fled is at her doorstep, and now Bradyn is in the line of fire. Kennedy must decide—keep running or fight for the only man she’s ever trusted. But the secrets she’s kept could destroy them both.

A pulse-pounding romantic suspense about trust, redemption, and the kind of love that refuses to let go—even when the past threatens to destroy it. Will they survive the firestorm, or will her secrets bring everything crashing down?

Excerpt from Bravo

“As soon as I knew they were onto me, I took off, not wanting to risk Cillian’s life. I moved every two weeks after that. Never staying in one place long enough for them to find me.”

“Until you came to my ranch.”

She nods. “I never meant to put you or your family at risk. It was Cillian who told me about Pine Creek. I never thought they’d track me down there. It’s too small, too off the map. I was so tired of running.” She closes her eyes, and more tears slip free. “It was the first place I felt safe. Like I could breathe.”

“Because of who we are?”

“That’s part of it,” she admits. “I didn’t find out until I was in town that you and your brothers were prior service—or that you ran your own company. Once I knew that, I assumed the security would be top-notch, and if someone came—”

“We could defend ourselves.”

Her gaze darkens. “It’s horrible. I know. I shouldn’t have stayed. I shouldn’t have risked it.”

“It’s not far off,” I reply coldly. “Except for the fact that we have other employees with no training, as well as my mother, who has never even held a gun.”

Her expression is full of remorse. “I’m so sorry, Bradyn. I was so angry at Olivia for dragging me into this. I imagine you hate me for doing the same to you. But please know I never meant to bring any danger to your door. Please know that.”

“What’s done is done. But we need to get back to the ranch.”

She goes rigid. “I can’t go back.”

“We have to.”

“I can’t. He’s already looked for me there. He’ll come back. You need to go now. Leave me here, and I can disappear. You don’t need to be involved.”

“I’m already involved,” I tell her. “The security there is great, and if I’m going to protect you while we figure out just what’s going on and how to stop it, then that’s the best place to do it.”

“I got out,” she insists. “Without you seeing. Someone got into my place without you seeing too, right? That’s why you thought I tossed it?”

She’s got me there. “That’s currently being rectified,” I tell her. “All areas surrounding our personal residences will be covered.”

“It’s not enough,” she insists. “You don’t understand who you’re dealing with.”

“It has to be enough,” I growl. “Because I’m not leaving you to die in some motel room.”

She pushes to her feet, wincing when she puts too much pressure on her injured foot. “You need to just go. Leave me to whatever comes next. I’m good at disappearing.”

“I’m not leaving you.” The fact that she even thinks I would is absolutely ridiculous.

“You’re going to die. This isn’t some storm where you come running after me, Bradyn. These men are killers. You have no idea what they’re capable of.”

I move in closer, getting within inches of her so I can make sure she understands just what I’m saying. “I know killers, Kennedy. I’ve walked alongside them, fought against them, and suffered at their hands. I can assure you, there is no man who walks on this earth that I fear. And I. Am. Not. Leaving. You.”

“Why?” she asks breathlessly.

“Because I defend what’s mine.”