“No. You left it on the nightstand.”
She turned and saw her phone was indeed charging next to the bed.
They made love to celebrate passports and engagements and afterward lay together, making plans for their life together. “I have another gift for you.”
She smiled dreamily and ran her hand down his sculpted body. She’d attempted to paint him a few times now. She still wasn’t satisfied she’d done him justice, but he was an inspiring artist’s model. “I’m going to need at least a few minutes’ recovery time.”
He chuckled. “Not that.” He rolled over and reached into the nightstand. “I figure it’s not every day someone turns thirty-seven for the second time, so I wanted to make this birthday special.”
“You might want to be careful with that. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve also turned thirty-eight and thirty-nine. You could be setting a dangerous precedent.”
He shrugged. “I can handle it.” He handed her the papers. “Now that you have a new passport, how would you like to spend your second thirty-seventh birthday in Italy?”
She jolted. “Really?” She looked at the papers, multiple hotel reservations. “Florence and Rome?”
“I sort of crashed your last vacation. I was thinking I owed you a new one.”
She laughed. “You can crash my vacation any time.” She looked at the dates. Ten days in Italy. “The Navy is giving you leave?”
He nodded. “The trip to Malta…didn’t really end up being leave, and the dates land right between my transition from the teams to NSWC.”
She kissed him and held the papers to her chest. She and her fiancé were going to Italy. In one month.
He grinned. “I was thinking I might set a book in Italy. So we can call it a research trip.”
She laughed. “We probably need to buy art while we’re there. For research.”
“I’m not sure I can justify that, tax-wise.”
“It’s okay. You can hold on to it and give it to me for my second thirty-eighth birthday next year.”
“Oh, I have created a dangerous precedent.”
“Too late. No backsies.”
He ran a hand over her butt. “Speaking of…”
She laughed and pushed him onto his back and slid on top of him. She kissed him deeply and then gave a happy sigh. “I love you, Rand. All I really want is to be with you. I don’t need art or trips or anything but you to be happy.”
He ran a hand down her spine. “Same. But also, seeing your face light up as you look at art that speaks to you is my favorite thing in the world. I want to take you not just to Italy, but everywhere. So I can share your joy.”
She brushed her lips over his. “Okay then. Let’s travel the world together.”
Thank you for reading DON’T LOOK BACK, I hope you enjoyed Kira and Rand’s Maltese adventure. Be sure to read the author’s note at the end of this section to learn about some of the inspirations that led to this story.
The Evidence: Under Fire series will continue. Click here for pre-order information. While you wait for the next installment, be sure to look for the Flashpoint and Evidence series books that introduce key characters.
We first meet Rand and Freya in TINDERBOX.
While working on the Horn of Africa, archaeologist Morgan Adler's work and life are threatened, forcing her to make a desperate dash to a nearby US military base to beg for protection. Green Beret Pax Blanchard has orders to intercept Dr. Adler before she reaches the base, and in so doing saves her life, but his responsibilities toward protecting the woman have only just begun…
Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2017
2018 HOLT Medallion Winner
In FIRESTORM, we truly meet Freya (and learn that’s her real name).
CIA covert operator Savannah James is after intel on a potential coup in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but she needs a partner to infiltrate the organization. Sergeant First Class Cassius Callahan is the perfect choice, except he doesn’t like or trust her, despite the sparks that flare between them. Still, he accepts the assignment, knowing Savannah will pose as his mistress.
Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2018
or
Turn the page for an excerpt
If you enjoy gritty thrillers with a hint of romance, check out THE BURIED HOURS, my first novel writing as R.S. Grant
What she remembers is horrifying. What she’s forgotten is worse.
A crime reporter embarks on a harrowing journey into Yosemite’s backwoods to find the truth about her missing hours. With no one to trust—least of all her hiking guide—she doesn’t know if she’s following a path of redemption or an enemy’s revenge. A twisting novel of lies, betrayals, and killer secrets.
One-click THE BURIED HOURS Now Author’s Note
As I write this, my husband is once again teaching a team of SEALs about awareness of cultural and historical resources and how to avoid harming cultural heritage sites when they train in my home state. His teaching these kinds of classes inspired the opening scenes of this novel and gave me the perfect setup for Kira and Rand’s reunion. The archaeologist and history lover in me will always be thankful SEALs and other US servicemen and women take care with the cultural and natural environment in their work both at home and abroad.
The setting for this novel was decided by my son, who expressed an interest in visiting Malta after we attended the RARE book signing in London in the summer of 2023. The five days we spent in Malta last July weren’t nearly enough—like Kira, I never got to see the megalithic site on Gozo—and I hope to return. But maybe not in summer… I don’t know if I mentioned enough in the story that it was hot? I probably need a few more references to heat to really convey how hot it was. Also, who knew Malta is such a haven for Russian oligarchs? I didn’t until I started writing, so I need to thank my son for helping me to stumble on the absolutely perfect setting for Kira’s story.
If you want to see photos from my trip—many of which show places Kira and Rand visited in Malta—be sure to check my social media feeds or sign up for my newsletter.
Firestorm Excerpt
Chapter One
The story follows the protagonist as they become embroiled in a tense and dangerous situation, uncovering secrets and facing threats that test their resolve. As the plot unfolds, the character must navigate a web of deceit and danger while grappling with personal challenges. Grant’s novel is praised for its gripping narrative, well-developed characters, and the way it keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its twists and turns.
