Colin hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d said he wanted to get an early start. We left the motel before sunrise. Thankfully, no one had broken into the car while we’d slept. Though, as Colin said, it was a rental, and I didn’t think he cared all that much. Walking out that morning, seeing the condition of the driver’s side and the damage the bullets had done brought everything back into the forefront of my mind. There was no denying I was in serious danger. I couldn’t pretend my situation away this time and go about my day like I’d done over the last seven years my dad had been president. I’d always viewed the guards around me as a nuisance instead of a necessity, like Colin had pointed out. Now I was seeing the error in my thinking. If Colin hadn’t been there, I would’ve been dead or, worse, taken.

My biggest fear had always been being kidnapped. I knew what my friend Olivia had gone through, and she’d been extremely lucky. I doubted very much if someone got a hold of me the outcome would be the same. I was what the agents called a high value target. There wasn’t a question about whether or not I would be tortured, it was a matter of how badly. And that was something I prayed I never found out.

We’d been on the road for hours, and I couldn’t stop stealing glances at Colin. His blond hair was shaved close on the sides, but the top was long enough to look sleep tussled.

“What are you looking at?”

He looked my way and smiled. With my feet up on the dash and the seat back reclined a little, I could almost pretend we were on a vacation road trip. The sun was fast rising behind us, painting the sky in purples and reds.

“You.”

“Me?”

“Yep. Anyone ever tell you, you look like Brett Young?”

I couldn’t believe I’d told him that. Maybe my lack of sleep was affecting my good sense.

“Don’t know who that is, sunshine.”

“What?” I was shocked. Everyone knew who Brett Young was. “The country singer.”

“Still have no idea who that is.”

“I don’t know if we can be friends.”

Colin’s laugh filled the car, and my insides warmed. “We can’t be friends because I don’t listen to country music?”

“It depends. If you tell me you like boy bands, then no.”

His chuckle continued. “Fuck no.”

Well there was that. Maybe I could forgive him for not listening to country.

“What kind of music do you like?”

“Depends. I have hard rock playlists for working out. Some mellow shit when I’m driving. Heavy metal when I’m getting my gear ready before we go on an op.”

“Screamo stuff?”

“No. Metallica, Linkin Park, Green Day. But I also like Phil Collins, Passenger, Imagine Dragons. You know, good music.”

“Okay. I guess we can be friends. But I think we’re gonna need to introduce you to some country.”

“I’ll listen to your country if you agree to go to dinner with me when we get back to D.C.”

My breath caught, and my throat tightened. Did he just ask me out on a date?

“Dinner?” I asked tentatively.

“Yeah, you know, the meal that comes after lunch.”

“I’ll have to think about it,” I teased. “I also need to check my schedule. See if I can pencil you in.”

“You do that. And while you’re thinking about it, I’ll put on some Metallica.”

“Oh, no, you don’t.” I covered his hand when he reached for the radio. “I like this station.”

I actually wasn’t sure what type of music was playing, I hadn’t been paying attention. It could’ve been one of his heavy metal playlists for all I knew. I’d been too lost in my thoughts to listen to the music quietly coming through the speakers.

“Will there be a kiss after you take me to dinner?”

“Hell, yes.”

His answer made my belly swoosh. I couldn’t help remembering what he’d said last night about a man walking through fire for the honor of kissing me. When I’d asked him if that’s what he’d do, he said if he ever found the woman he was going to spend his life with, nothing would keep him from her. I couldn’t help wanting to be that woman. I didn’t need him to walk through fire for me, last night he’d shown me all he needed to. As frustrated as I was, he wouldn’t touch me, his reasons had solidified my feelings. Never had anyone thought I was special. Most men, would’ve taken what I was offering. But not Colin.

The rest of the ride was spent talking about inconsequential things. Likes. Dislikes. Favorites. Individually they didn’t mean a whole lot, but put all the pieces together and I had a vivid portrait of who Colin was. His life was scary and exciting. He was a man with strong convictions, who truly believed in the work he did. Colin had a heart for service and it didn’t matter how hard he tried to play down his sacrifices, he couldn’t hide them. He was humble about his accomplishments but confident in his ability to carry out any mission he was given. The mix of the two was intoxicating.

Colin pulled into a long dirt driveway, and I was in awe of my surroundings. It was beautiful, with tall evergreens lining both sides.

“Wow. This is really pretty.”

“Wait until you see the cabin. Abe and his wife, Alabama, have done a great job fixing it up.”

I didn’t have to wait long; a gorgeous log cabin came into view, and, once again, I was awe-struck.

“I could live out here for the rest of my life and be happy.”

“Really?”

“God, yes. After the last seven years, I’d be happy to live in peace and quiet. I’ve had enough people busy-bodying in my life. After my dad leaves office, I just want to fall back into obscurity and pray everyone forgets my name.”

“Doubt that’s gonna happen, sunshine.”

Colin parked in front of the house, told me to wait, then came to my door. This time, as he scoped out our surroundings, I was grateful. He’d been hyper-vigilant the entire drive and just because we were in damn near seclusion, that hadn’t changed. Once out of the car he quickly ushered me in, giving me no time to appreciate the huge, wrap-around porch we’d used to enter the cabin. I wondered if I’d be allowed to sit out there in the morning with a cup of coffee while enjoying the calmness the wooded area provided.

“What about our stuff?”

“I’ll get it in a minute. Let me show you around.”

He guided me through the open living area, a comfy looking couch sat in front of a fireplace, and I wondered if it was too warm for a fire. I could picture us cuddling on the couch watching the flames dance.

He led me into a surprisingly well-appointed kitchen. “Abe and his wife must come here often. There’s fresh fruit on the counter.”

“He knew we were coming and stocked the house with the essentials,” Colin explained.

“That was nice of him.”

“Abe’s a nice guy. So are the rest of his team. But I doubt the guys did it. My guess is Alabama, Caroline, and the rest of the women heard we were coming and rallied together to make sure your stay was as comfortable as it can be.”

“Me? Why do you think that?”

“Because if it were just me, Abe would’ve dropped off a case of MREs, a few bottles of water, and a brick of ammo. They’re great guys but not so great they’d want me to have fresh fruit and . . .” Colin opened the refrigerator. “All this shit.”

“All this shit” was milk, a bottle of wine, lunch meats, cheeses, blocks of butcher paper neatly stacked, an assortment of condiments, and other miscellaneous items. Whoever took the time to shop for us had gone all out.

“And I’m sure the shower is packed full of girly shit,” he added.

I was in desperate need of a shower and was eager to find out what “girly shit” they’d left. All of the stuff I’d brought with me was back in Killeen. Colin’s idea of a go-bag and mine were two different things. I had a change of clothes, my passport, and my purse. He had guns, extra bullets, extra passports and identification for both of us in different names, and cash. Lots of cash, actually.

Without warning, Colin stepped in front of me and pulled his gun from his holster. I was getting ready to ask him what was happening when the front door opened.

“Yo!” a male voice bellowed.

“You almost got yourself shot,” Colin said and lowered his weapon.

“You must be losing your touch. I wasn’t exactly quiet when I got out of my car.”

“Erin, this is Abe.” Colin ignored the man’s jab. “Abe, this is the First Daughter—”

“Just Erin. Please.” I stopped Colin from making the formal introduction. “It’s nice to meet you, Abe. Thank you for letting us use your cabin. It’s beautiful.”

It took all my energy not to shrink under Abe’s scrutiny. He didn’t hide the fact he was giving me a thorough inspection. But not in a creepy or lewd way. It was almost as if he could read my innermost thoughts and was analyzing them. When he relaxed a fraction, so did I.

“No problem. Glad you two made it. My wife and her friends stocked everything up for you, but I’m supposed to ask if there was anything else you need. Something about shampoo and shit.”

Colin chuckled, and when I turned his way he said, “Told you so.”

“I’m sure whatever they got is fine. After where we stayed last night, I wouldn’t complain if I had to scrub down with laundry soap.”

“Heard about your problems back in Killeen. Tex called with an update. The asshole you ran off the road was taken into custody. He flipped quickly. Told the cops he and his buddy were each paid five grand to run you off the road. All they were supposed to do was box you in and keep you there until someone else came to get you.”

“Did he say who paid him?”

“The usual. Some guy in a suit. Paid in cash. Met in a parking lot with no cameras. No make or model of the car the man was driving. Used a burner phone. No names. The only fuck up they made was Tex was able to trace the burner number purchase to a convenience store in D.C. They’re going over the security footage, but without a general time frame of when the phone was purchased or a description of the person who bought it, it’s most likely a dead end.”

Abe set the duffle bag he’d been holding on the coffee table in the living room. “These are from Zane. New laptop and phones. He’d like for you to check in ASAP. The perimeter alarms are on and the live feeds are being watched by your team and Tex. All my guys will be alerted if the property is breeched. If you don’t want six angry SEALs storming the house, please send us a text if you leave.”

“’Preciate all your help.”

“Don’t mention it.” Abe smiled. “Hope your stay is low-key and pleasant. Erin, would you like to check what my wife left and make sure it’s to your liking?”

“I’ll be happy with whatever she left. Please tell her I said thank you. And you, too, thanks again for the use of your home.”

“It’s not a problem. It’s what we do. We take care of our own. Zane and his team have had our backs a time or two, and we have theirs.”

Boy, I’d love to hear some of those stories. Colin downplayed his military service and what he currently did, but I bet he was every bit the hero I thought he was.

“I’m gonna check in with Zane,” Colin said, opening the bag and pulling out a phone. “I’ll call you with an update in the morning.”

“Sounds good. Welcome to California, Erin. Talk to you tomorrow.”

After Colin walked Abe to the door, he closed it and set the locks and alarm.

“Do you mind if we hold off on dinner until after I talk to my team?”

I tried to remember if Colin had always been thoughtful or if that was something else that had changed, too. His attitude toward me in general had definitely transformed, which scared me. My infatuation had grown into something more. With each hour that passed, each new tidbit of information he gave me about himself, and each touch, I fell more and more. Everything was moving at warp speed, and when I tried to slow myself down, I’d remember how freaking short life was. How I’d overthought everything my whole life and for once I just wanted to let go. I wanted to throw caution to the wind and enjoy whatever crazy journey I was on.

“Not at all. I’d actually like to go up and take a shower.”

“I’ll go up with you.”

I followed him upstairs and into the master bedroom. After he checked the closet and bathroom, I was given the all clear, and he started to leave the room.

“Colin?”

“Yeah?”

He stopped in the doorway and turned to face me. My breath caught in my throat and the words died on my tongue. He looked fierce. Gone was the man who’d held me all night long and back was the warrior, the protector. The caring side of Colin was a turn-on, but this side of him was downright hot.

“Nothing. Never mind.”

“Okay. I’ll be downstairs if you need anything.”

With one last appraising sweep of his eyes, he walked out the door.

Why did my body warm from just one glance?

I stayed in the shower for a long time, wishing the warm water could wash away my troubles. I’d done a good job hiding my fears from Abe, however, I couldn’t forget what he’d said, people had been hired to take Colin and me. They were supposed to run us off the road and keep us there until someone could come and retrieve us. Not only was I in more danger than I’d thought, but Colin was also.

How had my life come to this?