At her question, Noemi looked over. She wore her hair down around her face, a pair of white shorts, a coral top, her feet bare. She looked clearly at home in the heat, less oppressive now that the sun had gone down. At home in the heat, and in the world of her former-SEAL husband because she’d spent the day with Ranger, going over the plans for tonight.

“Please tell me they know what they’re doing,” Tae said.

Noemi got up. “Yes. Ranger is a SEAL. I don’t want to admit it, really, but he lives for missions like this, and Colt—well, you know him well enough to know that he always comes through. They’re going to be fine.” But she swallowed at the end of her words, a cue that despite her expression, those golden-brown eyes holding Tae’s, she too might be a little worried.

“You’re worried about your dad.”

Noemi’s mouth pinched. “Yes. I know he can take care of himself too, but . . .” She shook her head. “It never gets easier, I guess. Even when you expect this life. It’s probably a good thing they never actually talk about their missions, or I would lie awake at night imagining all sorts of dark scenarios that probably aren’t true.”

“I don’t know how you grew up like this.”

“I didn’t. I grew up in boarding schools. I think my parents sent me away specifically so I didn’t have to worry, but . . . well, yes, it was always in the back of my mind. But my mother made sure that when we were together, it mattered. They’d pick me up for summer break and we’d spend it camping, or at a theme park, or at a beach. Later, after my mom died, my dad took me camping at a ranch in Montana. Taught me how to survive. His own mini SERE school.”

“SERE?”

“Survive. Evade. Resist. Escape, Pete Sutton style.”

“No wonder you lived through captivity.”

“Well, I had help. Namely, Colt. And Fraser.”

“The blond guy whose cousin owns this place?”

“Yeah. They were both there, protection detail. I’ve never met tougher men. Except Range, of course.” Noemi smiled. “He downplayed how hurt he was to get me to safety.”

“That sounds like a Kingston brother.” Tae turned back to the dark water. Across the river, the red, green, and white lights of Palm Bay twinkled against the night. “I think Colt is more hurt than he lets on.”

“He’ll be okay,” Noemi said. “But will you be okay?”

Tae frowned at her.

“When he goes back to Jones, Inc.”

Oh. “Yes, right.”

“Because I see the way that you look at him. Girl, you’re a goner. And he looks at you like he wants to gobble you up.”

Tae smiled. “He does, doesn’t he?”

“And I’ll bet he’s a great kisser.” Noemi winked.