Chapter 1
It was cold when Kyle stepped out of his apartment building for his early morning run. He took off at a slow jog, easily warming his muscles despite the drizzly Autumn weather. Feet thumping the tarmac in rhythmic beats that matched his heartbeat, Kyle ran in silence – accompanied only by the sounds of the world around him. Running with music in your ears was a choice made by people who didn’t know what went bump in the night. Kyle didn’t have that luxury. After all, he often was that thing, so he ran in silence and he remained alert and focused every step of the way.
By the time he reached the park, he was ready for more and pushed his speed, racing along the concrete pavements that wound throughout the park. He was panting heavily when his phone began to ring. Without stopping, he tapped the hands-free earpiece he wore for every run. Despite wishing he could unplug, the way he made his living meant needing to be reached at all times.
“Tan.”
“How’s it going, soldier?” The familiar voice held a note of amusement.
“Not bad, Oscar, how about you?” Kyle slowed and headed for an empty bench.
Oscar Forster was a black ops specialist, former marine and a hell of a poke player.
“I’m looking for a good man to take a job, you in?”
It wasn’t the first time his old army buddy had called. Kyle had helped Oscar out with security work in the past, usually close protection of VIPs. But it had been a while and Kyle had been focused on government contracts for the past few years. He was a patriot when it came down to it, and throwing his body in front of a celebrity so they didn’t get covered in paint wasn’t exactly what got his motor running.
“What kind of job?”
“The kind that pays. I hear you’re lacking in that department these days. Early retirement, right?”
Kyle sighed and began stretching. He didn’t like to be reminded that he’d been forced to walk away from his day job. You didn’t ever stop being a marine. Once a devil dog, always one. Semper fucking fi. But sometimes, things had to change for reasons beyond your control.
“You heard right. What’s the job?”
“Same as usual, personal protection of a big shot receiving death threats. You in?”
“What’s the money like?”
“More than an asshole like you deserves. Are you in?”
“I’m in.”
“I’ll set it up. Enjoy, soldier.”
Hallie and Kyle’s explosive second-chance chemistry, layered with danger and forced proximity, creates a gripping, emotionally charged bodyguard romance. Perfect for readers who love protective heroes, luxury-set tension, and slow-building heat that finally boils over.