Prologue
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NAVY SEAL COMMANDERHarrison “Harley” Madden grumbled under his breath, swinging his leg over his motorcycle.He grabbed his helmet, fastening it beneath his chin, and revved the engine.It was early.Too early.He probably should be more considerate of his neighbors, but thankfully they were further down the road, and at the moment, he was too pissed off to give a damn.It was entirely unlike him.Harrison was a respected naval officer at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.A commander of multiple Navy SEAL teams, sending men into battle worldwide.He stayed apprised of the latest intelligence, monitored unfolding situations around the globe, and trained nearly as hard as his men.He was also well-respected.Considerate.Steady.Dependable.
The piece of intelligence he’d received, however, had practically sent him into a tailspin.
Irritation roiled through him, combating with his need to take action.
Harrison listened to the rumble of the engine as he pulled out of his driveway and onto the winding, narrow road.His house might be close enough to roll onto base at all hours when necessary, but the secluded home afforded him privacy.Peace.The little he allowed himself, at any rate.Harrison had given his life to the Navy long ago.He’d shed blood, sweat, and tears in battle as a Navy SEAL.He took his job as commander no less seriously.Lives depended on him—those of his own men and those of the civilians they were often tasked to rescue, either directly or indirectly.While every mission might not involve hostages or innocents potentially in the line of fire, the outcome of their operations sure as shit affected the lives of others, for better or worse, sometimes at great cost to himself.
He’d given up the idea of having a wife or family long ago.Of letting any type of softness seep into his hardened exterior.He couldn’t commit to that type of scenario until he’d left the Navy behind, and at forty-four, he still didn’t see that happening anytime soon.Harrison wouldn’t allow himself to be with a woman only to abandon her at all hours of the night to run ops from base.To devote more time to his SEAL team than his own family.That type of situation worked for some men, for some relationships, but not for him.
Maybe he’d never met a woman who’d made it worth the effort.
Harrison’s head swung to the left as he pulled to a stop sign, and he spotted a lone vehicle in the distance.It was quiet at this hour, just how he preferred it.He enjoyed his solitude and needed it to quiet the churning thoughts in his mind.Harrison pulled forward and sped several miles, the wind whipping past him, before finally turning onto the dirt road leading to a secluded beach.Hardly anyone was out yet this morning, not that many people came to this particular spot anyway.
The beaches of Waikiki were always dotted with tourists, nothing but gleaming white sand and sparkling water next to the high-rise hotels that catered to those visiting the island.
This spot was different.The real Hawaii, peaceful and somewhat untouched by man.He needed the quiet and seclusion of the hidden beach to get his thoughts in order.To formulate a plan.
Shaking his head, he focused on the road ahead as he headed toward the water, the first rays of sunlight coloring the sky.The soft Hawaiian breeze was normally a comfort, as natural as the sound of the waves crashing on shore, except this morning, he felt unsettled.Anxious.And that wasn’t like him.
Harrison was a man who took charge and lived life at a rapid-fire pace.He devised a plan and took action.
And the decision he was about to make?It could cost him everything.
Chapter 1
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LUCIANARodriguez followed her captors down a narrow, well-worn stone pathway between several old buildings lining the road.The air was still, both hot and humid, and strands of her long hair clung to the back of her neck as she shuffled dutifully along, her heart racing.She felt the threat of the men’s holstered weapons almost as much as if they’d been holding a knife directly to her throat.One wrong move, and she’d probably be begging for them to kill her.In the grim reality she now lived in, Luciana knew there were fates even worse than death.
She swallowed as they moved past another building, her fear nearly overtaking her.Her breathing was shallow, and she tried to steady her breath, to calm her overloaded nervous system and focus on the present moment.Memorize her surroundings.Get oxygen flowing through her bloodstream.
Luciana sucked in a big gulp of air as her heart thudded.Was she having a panic attack?She’d never had them in the past, but she’d also never been held hostage before.
