“I’m glad you could come down, Flynn. I know Sean will be thrilled to see you. It’s been far too long.”

Flynn grunted as he stood beside his brother outside the local ice cream parlor on the outskirts of town. Teenagers swarmed the area and he recognized it for what it was. Their hangout. The red and white awning was welcoming and there wasn’t a sad face in the lot. “Been busy.”

Doyle shifted his weight and adjusted his grip on the wooden cane he used. “Busy or not, it’s good to have both of my brothers back in one state. Or should I say… country.”

“You’re one to talk. You travel as much as I do, if not more.”

Raking a hand through his copper hair, Doyle grumbled, “Trust me, not going as much anymore. That was Marissa’s idea.”

“She knows what she’s doing. I’m sure or you wouldn’t have hired her as your agent.” Even though they stood in line to get ice cream at a parlor on a small island in the Keys, Flynn wouldn’t allow himself to relax. He’d been over in the Sandbox and it wasn’t always an easy transition. Personally, he would have preferred hanging out at Doyle’s place where there weren’t others. His brain was having to sort through everyone around them to figure out if they were friendly or not. But his brother had been going on about the product from this place since he’d moved here, so he wasn’t about to pass it up.

“She’s a pain.”

Ensuring to keep his smile hidden, Flynn, shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. Sounded to him like his brother had a thing for her but he knew better than to mention anything. Doyle was under the impression because he walked with a cane, the only way a woman would want him was if they found out about his wealth. “She’s exactly what you need.”

He held his next comment as his brother ordered and paid for them both. Skimming his gaze along the crowd, he smiled slightly at the sight of some younger kids playing without any worry and concern. They had no reason to be. This was a goddamn paradise.

“Here,” Doyle said, pushing the cup of ice cream into his hand.

They moved to a vacant table along the outskirts of those available and each claimed a seat.

“How are you doing, Flynn?” Doyle’s expression grew serious.

“Living the dream.” He ate a bite of chocolate ice cream. The coolness slid welcoming down his throat, helping to combat the heat of the day.

“You’re looking worn.”

He gave an offhand shrug. “It wasn’t the easiest of deployments.” Not that any of them are.

“Mimosa will help you relax.” Doyle waggled his eyebrows. “Maybe you’ll find someone to spend time with.”

“Perhaps.” Another spoonful in his mouth and he took another look around.

“We don’t have terrorists here, Flynn. You can stop worrying about that.”

Forcing a grin, he met his brother’s blue eyes. “Just checking to see what you have to offer.”

“Excuse me. Are you a Marine, sir?”

Flynn turned his attention to the young girl who stood beside their table. Her dark skin shone with health and her obsidian hair was gathered up in cornrow braids only to be gathered into a bun on the top of her head. Long black lashes framed her pale green eyes.

“Yes ma’am, I am. How did you know?” His shirt only had the logo on it, no words.

She shuffled her feet in her white flip flops and scrunched her toes before putting her hands into the pockets of her purple overalls. “My daddy was a Marine.”

Was. His heart shattered for her. “I’m sorry for your loss, darling.” He spoke with all honesty.

She stared at him with wide eyes.

At her expression, something deep in his gut lurched.

“Thank you for your service.”

Flynn was at a loss for words. He’d never had a child come up to him and thank him for what he did before. At least not one that did it out of the blue like this. Doyle’s gaze was on him but he didn’t take his focus from the girl before him.

“Alora!”

She smiled and with the dimples that appeared, his gut did that lurching thing once more. “Hi Mama, I found a Marine.” The child turned to the woman who approached from behind. “I even thanked him for his service as I’m supposed to do.”

“Good for you, honey, but we shouldn’t interrupt men when they’re talking.”

That voice did something else to him. Holy shit, it was like dark honey, raw and slow moving, yet leaving behind this taste one doesn’t ever forget. He tipped his head up to stare at “Mama” and sucked in another sharp breath.

He’d heard it before from friends and even from his oldest brother, Sean when he talked about the love of his life, Rica. It had been a bolt of lightning, he’d known that instant she was the one. Until right then, Flynn had chalked it up to the man being a romantic, unlike himself. But now, looking up at this woman, he understood. One hundred percent.

Flynn shot to his feet. “Ma’am.” His damn heart raced out of control and she hadn’t even spoken to him directly at this point. In his periphery, he watched Doyle’s confused expression at his action.

Eyes the color of fresh gingerbread flicked from him to his brother.

An ugly spike of jealousy slammed into him. Don’t look at him, focus back on me.

She pursed full, plump lips and swiped her tongue over them, before her eyes darted once more. “Doyle?” Her gaze returned to him. “Flynn?”

Pure sex was what he thought of when she said his name. However, he was stunned his name was called. This time he shared a look with his brother. From the confusion on his face, he didn’t know who she was either.

He crossed his arms and cleared his throat. “You have the advantage. Who are you?”

“Figures, you wouldn’t remember me.” There wasn’t any heat in her statement. “Mia Borde, used to be Malor.”

“Little Mimi?” Doyle asked, shock in his tone.

“I despised that name…still do, but yes. That was me.” A shrug. “Is me.”

Before Flynn knew what happened, Doyle had gotten to his feet and had her in his arms, hugging her.

He shoved that jealousy back where it belonged, in a box. Then he had the opportunity. Gathering her close, he inhaled deep and allowed her scent to imbed into him. Lilies. That’s what she reminded him of.

“When did you move here? Are you living here?” Doyle shot even more questions off in her direction.

Flynn released her and noticed the rapid pulse in her neck as she gathered her daughter closer. He couldn’t believe it. He’d grown up with Mia, as her mother had been the cook for their family, so she was there after school and most times before it as well. She’d been a pain in his ass but now, she was lightning to him, dangerous…. Yet, all he wanted to do was get closer.

“Join us,” he said, recognizing the order in his tone.