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Chapter One

I saved the hostage

Dante Raske clung to that thought as he pushed past the lingering pain in his knee Three side one of the best SEAL teaht a kidnapped aid worker home in one piece They’d been outnumbered, but he’d made damn sure they weren’t overpowered And tore his ACL in the process

But one surgery, and a few months on the sidelines, was a small price to pay for a woman’s life

“Is your knee bothering you or are you just taking in the scenery?” Ronan asked as he jogged back to Dante’s side

Kiss my ass

But he had enough sense not to say those words to the Navy SEAL officer who outranked Dante’s enlisted butt Ronan wouldn’t pull rank in this desert Still, Dante stuck to his new mantra: “It’s fine”

Ronan, the redheaded SEAL who’dborn and raised in the USA, slowed his eight- pace and matched Dante’s brisk walk

“You’re still grounded for how long?” Ronan said, his tone so dah so you for active duty?”

“Yeah” He grunted, pushing through the pain

“It was a bad tear, man If you need more time to rest—”

“Onemy knee heal, and boredom will bury me six feet under,” Dante o shorts and wiped his brow

Ronan stopped and turned to hi a country singer doesn’t come close to a real mission Even if you’re only at fifty percent I’d rather ith you than …”

“It’s iet it”

He knew Ronan needed the extra cash And Dante wasn’t going to turn up his nose at thefor one weekend of work protecting a twenty-so fans