Serena's best friend Mel was in the wrong place at the wrong time and unfortunately sees a Luxen go into lightbulb mode. This turns into an unfortunate series of events leaving Serena exposed to danger about what she might know about the Luxen, aliens, etc. In an uncharacteristic move, the DOD orders protection for her. Not really for her own good, but just because they want to control the situation. So they assign Hunter to protect her and find out info from her. He is not really into her protection for the right reasons either, but he is going to do his job. 

There wasn't a patient bone in my body and the only reason I was ever around a woman was to state a primal hunger. I didn't watch over them. I didn't protect them. It wasn't in my nature. I wasn't the good guy here. There was a good chance I'd kill Miss Cross.

Hunter is a total alpha male. He is an arrogant, unfiltered, uncaring alien. It is much easier for him to be his dark asshole self than it is to show any human-like tendencies or feelings. He has always seen himself for what he is, a dark force...a killer...someone who does not need attachments. He has no use for luxen or humans.  The things that come out of his mouth just cracked me up. Serena totally knocks him for a loop and before he knows it, he is acting uncharacteristically.

"Are you done acting like a psychotic, cracked-out muppet baby?"

"Or do you need a couple more moments to return to sanity? I have all day. And you actually feel kind of good under me, so take your time."

Serena has been put through hell and her life is in shambles and in danger. But she is strong, determined, smart, sassy, and eventually accepting of the situation. I loved her attitude and feistiness. She is not afraid to tell Hunter off or call him names even though he has the ability to end her if he wanted to. She is thrust into a crazy world that she never knew existed, but she holds her own. 

Hunter and Serena are like oil and water. They fight, they challenge, they push, and they also flirt. They are a human and an Arum and are worlds apart, but find themselves strongly attracted to each other. Together they have electric chemistry, witty rapport, and strong reactions. Their banter made me laught out loud! Their sexy scenes are so intense that they could literally be the death of her. And she is also in danger from multiple factions wanting her silenced. So it is suspenseful, tense, and edgy. And when it all comes crashing down, Hunter has to decide what side he is going to be on.

"You're more than a weapon, Hunter. So much more."

Can their passion be controlled or will it become too dangerous for a mere human? 

Will Hunter continue to protect her or will he do what any Arum would?

I really enjoyed this spin off the Lux series. Hunter reminded me of a cross between Daemon from that series and a true alpha male commando. Their fiery relationship and the suspense kept me engaged. I liked seeing how the Arum see the world. They are not all bad just as the Luxen are not all good. I always enjoy Jennifer Armentrout's writing style and character development. I loved getting both Serena and Hunter's Points of Views, especially Hunter's as he would have these internal dialogues with himself trying to stay a bad ass when he was clearly starting to soften. Jennifer did what I thought might be impossible and she made me love an Arum. There was sarcastic humor and romantic suspense. This holds up against the Lux series, but it is sexier. I hope she adds more books to this series. Hunter has a couple of brothers that I would love to read more about and there are definitely more stories left to tell. 

Thanks to Jennifer L. Armentrout, Entangled Publishing, and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.