Lorenzo 'Ren' Santoro has retired from the military and now spends his time on his ship, away from the world and specifically a certain woman who is off-limits. Said woman being his best friend and mentor, Tom Bradshaw's daughter—Halle Bradshaw. When he agrees to help a research team to test out a top-secret Navy project on his ship as a favor for his best friend, he doesn't expect to find Halle as one of the team members joining him, especially after he'd spent the last 3 years trying to avoid being anywhere near her after the kiss they'd shared.

But someone on the ship is trying to get a hold of the highly classified project, and Ren and Halle aren't sure if the culprit is from her team or his. They can only trust each other right now while they try to figure out who is behind it all. With the threat of the secret project falling into the wrong hands, they escape to figure out a way to get it to safety while also finding the mole.

Being a troubled teenager with a knack for getting into messy situations, Lorenzo's life would've taken a very different turn if it hadn't been for his mentor and later best friend, Tom Bradshaw, who guided him in the right direction. The direction was joining the military as a Navy SEAL. Which is why he can't consider anything with Halle, no matter how right things feel. And he tries denying his feelings for a long time, even going so far as limiting his visits with Tom. But when Halle becomes a target, Ren is ready to go to any extreme to keep her safe.

Halle knew what she wanted, and she wanted Lorenzo. She made this abundantly clear to him, and I loved how direct and honest she was. She was persistent with Ren about giving their relationship a chance and wanting him no matter how many times he tried to give her all the reasons he shouldn't want her. She didn't let him hide behind his excuses, and eventually he came around. I liked how she constantly reassured him and made him see that she only had eyes for him.

There was some push and pull from Lorenzo's side given his conflicting feelings about Halle being his best friend's daughter and much younger than him. He struggles with the feeling of betraying the man who'd saved his life. He also doesn't want to taint her life with all his darkness and baggage or for her to see the kind of things he's done. But as they fight off the men after them while trying to get to safety, Halle embraces every side of him. She makes him see just how safe and protected she feels because of him. She helps him realize that he deserves more for himself after all that he's gone through and that he deserves to live his life after surviving everything he had in the military. She's so gentle and patient yet firm with him, which I loved.

The action was amazing in this book, and Lorenzo fighting all the men coming after Halle was honestly so hot. He was a predator, and the way he took them all out was incredible. What I loved even more is how Halle helps him out through it all. She doesn't just hide or sit idle, but she fights with him to the best of her ability.

The spice was good, especially with the little slow build-up between them and due to their history. I also liked that the spice doesn't take away from the plot or overwhelm it.

LOVED Sawyer's entry when it happened and the way it happened. I was like YESSSS!! So obviously I'm super excited for his book next.