Hard Line

My rule: Never let an old flame burn you twice.

Other people gave second chances—I didn't. My modus operandi was to move on to the next girl in line and forget the previous one.

So when Tawnee Milano said she needed her space, I let her go. Then I left our mutual employer for a new job with the CIA and didn't look back.

But a coded distress message from her sends me right back to where I was when we first split up. The possibility of losing her forever forces me to relax my rigid stance. With her life in danger, I'm finally facing my true feelings for her.

Mottos are all fine and good in theory. Not so much in practice.

Now my hard line policy is to get her back—and keep her this time.