I joined the team at Jameson Force Security three months ago, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made. Leaving behind the Marine Corps together, my dog, Omega, and I made the cross-country trek to Pittsburgh for an exciting new career. Now I get to spend my days doing dangerous missions with my team and Omega gets to spend his days relaxing, unless there are explosives to be sniffed, and then he’s all paws on deck.

When Omega—who I affectionately refer to as Bubba—snacks on something he most definitely shouldn’t have, an emergency trip to the vet introduces me to Abigail Blackburn. She’s a little quirky, a lot smart, and completely captivating. She also has a penchant for trouble, and when Abby makes it her own personal mission to expose the puppy-mill industry, she finds herself mixed up with unsavory characters who aren’t happy with her efforts to cut into their profits.

This seedy underbelly is a dangerous place, particularly for a well-intentioned, yet somewhat naïve small-town vet. What began as peaceful protests outside of local pet stores has escalated into something that threatens Abby’s safety, and I refuse to sit by and watch her get hurt. Somehow this raven-haired beauty has gotten under my skin, and I don’t hesitate to call in my teammates at Jameson to help keep her safe.

Now I find myself trying to balance my need to protect Abby while helping her successfully complete her mission, but also redirecting her focus long enough to show her that I’ve completely fallen for her. One thing is certain—this is going to be my toughest assignment yet.