Book excerpt: She escaped her brutal ex-lover’s grasp... Emily Moreno, a budding artist, is fleeing from a controlling lover. When her brother, a former Navy SEAL, spirits her away to an exclusive art colony on a secluded tropical island owned by the enigmatic Wolfe family, she can't shake the feeling that she’s being watched. Keanu "Scotty" Scott is the island's charming beach bum. He revels in the cool waves, the feel of sand between his toes, tropical cocktails, and the company of bikini-clad beauties. But when Emily, a guarded and stunning brunette, steps into his beach bar, Scotty is captivated. She's a mystery he's determined to unravel. As sparks fly between them, danger closes in. Emily's past is catching up, and Scotty's laid-back charm may not be enough to protect her. The island paradise turns into a battleground where love and danger collide, leaving them both fighting for their lives.