Lucky. Happy. Warm.

It wasn’t that she didn’t think those things of herself. She was just different. Family was a foreign concept. Long ago, she allowed hers to fade to black in her memory.

Her childhood had been regimented. But even that description was an understatement. Her father had preferred to be called The Colonel. Her mother’s indifference to The Colonel’s rules and regulations came in the form of pills and booze. She never stood up for Mia, even when The Colonel put a knife to her throat to teach her a lesson or spanked her with a belt until she vomited. Welts branded her for days.

Mia shook her head. No need to go down memory lane. No need to remind herself why family life didn’t work for her. All her pain was channeled to help others. Mia specialized in military families and soldiers who came home from hell. It was all in hopes that, one day, she could help a young girl avoid a home life like the one she had suffered through.

But for now, for this simple moment, she appreciated family time with Judith, Colby, and Clara.

She’d also savor the handsome man who proved so interested in being her hero. No matter where they were, or what they were doing, Colby made her blood rush at a feverish pace, crashing through her body like a stock car race. When he looked at her with those dark-as-night eyes, she felt stronger and more desirable than she thought possible. And when he didn’t look at her, heck, when he wasn’t in the room, the mere thought of Colby made her shiver with wanton need.

He placed a disposable cell phone in front of her. “And you, beautiful… I’ll call you later. Burner phone. Another fun toy. If you have to call someone to let them know you’re safe on your vacation, use this one. If you need to talk to me, I’m the first number programmed in.”

Colby placed a kiss on her lips that took her breath away, stilling all the concern and apprehension she felt in his home, with his baby. And in its place, she relished the bold attraction that bloomed. She was too overcome, and slightly embarrassed, at the casual intensity of his kiss to see if Judith saw them.

Clara finished her bottle, and her sleepy eyes hung heavy. Colby scooped her out of Mia’s arms and placed her up against his shoulder. The baby wore a pink flower onesie and matching footed pants with ruffles on the bottom. She was a stark contrast to Colby’s combat boots, dark camo pants, and ass-kicker shirt.

Mia knew he wore his Glock tucked into a holster under his shirt and saw the tactical knife secured against his calf. Both weapons were secure and safe from the curious reach of the baby.