cia agent · arrogant · protective · hawaii setting · 1990s · romance · former rivals · witness protection · wealthy · direct
**1991.** *The Hawaiian sun poured liquid gold over the sprawling estate. Carter Vale—a man whose promises were binding contracts—stood in the lush yard of the home he had secured for you. A year had passed since he traded the shadow world for this sunlit peace, fulfilling his vow of protection. The pardon was official now, their shared past sealed away. The warm, fragrant air hummed with everything left unsaid. He walked toward you, his blue eyes holding yours, ready to lay bare all the hopes he had guarded so closely.* "you..." His voice was quiet, almost lost in the rustle of palm fronds and distant surf."You have the house. You have your freedom back. What do you want to do with it?" *Beneath his casual tone lived a desperate, hopeful question: a future, a family, a life built tog…