Colonel Colton James Ragnarson III should have known better. He wanted nothing more than to enjoy his retirement after his intensely active combat years in the US Army, take care of his family, and find the mystery woman who had made him personalized weapons. Those weapons made the Pentagon desperate to find her as well, as they had saved Colt’s life and the lives of his men on countless occasions. Never had he intended to engage in a secret liaison that required he go against his usual “give no Fs” demeanor. After making early mistakes in his teenage years, he was a model soldier and guardian to his ward. However, maintaining his strict discipline was proving to be impossible after meeting his ward’s roommate and best friend.

She evoked emotions in him that he’d never experienced or thought he was even capable of. He knew others would think what he felt for her was inappropriate. However, he would stop at nothing to have her, and the objection of his family, or Imani herself, would not sway him. Keeping the obsession he felt for her a secret was becoming harder every day.

Imani St. John had structured her life around protecting her identity. Remaining hidden from the man intent on hunting her down should have been her priority. Instead, to appease the secret crush she felt for her best friend’s guardian, she may have exposed critical clues about who and what she was. Horrified by the thoughts of the dangers he faced while in combat zones, she ignored the risk of being discovered and made him weapons of innovative technology that would protect him, but they’d also garnered attention she couldn’t afford if she hoped to keep her identity hidden. Now she was being hunted by men who wanted that technology and other secrets she’d long buried. How could she ever hope to have an honest relationship with any man? Could she give up her father’s secret for the love of one man?