Former Navy Seal Lawrence Decker joins forces with FBI agent Jules Cassidy when hits are ordered on Decker and former CIA agent Dave Malkoff. Evidence points to a rogue black ops organization within the CIA called the Agency. For money and power, the Agency blackmails or murders anyone in their way. When the Agency believes Decker and Malkoff have information that could destroy them, attempts are initiated to eliminate them. The Agency is always one- step ahead of the Troubleshooters, which means they are either omniscient or they have excellent bugs.

With Troubleshooters spread all over the world, Decker puts together an unlikely team. Besides Jules, Decker enlists Tess Bailey, Sophia Ghaffari and the unpredictable receptionist Tracy Shapiro. The unusual alliance bands into a formidable force as they attempt to untangle the information while in the midst of battling bombs, torture and kidnapping. As the action intensifies, a surprising romantic encounter catches Decker off guard. For the first time in his life, Decker meets a woman who actually understands him. It's inconvenient and at the wrong time, so Decker places it on hold until they can discover who runs the Agency.

After 14 Troubleshooters novels, Brockmann can still produce surprises in the characters' relationships. I did not see this one coming, making it probably the most enjoyable storyline yet. Combining romance with unstoppable action, Brockmann ratchets up the suspense as the plot bounces from one critical situation to another. As always, flashes of humor ease the tremendous emotional turmoil that occurs.

Book Summary

Only a handful of people in the world know that James Nash is alive.

For years, Nash performed ultra-covert “Black Ops” missions for a shadowy government agency. But when he walked away from their dirty work, his ruthless bosses weren’t about to let him go. After their attempt to assassinate him nearly succeeds, his former partner Lawrence Decker, with the FBI’s help, fakes Nash’s death to protect him.

With Nash secreted away in a safe house, Decker will risk everything–including his heart–as he races to solve the mystery of who wanted Nash dead. Passions will flare as everyone close to the deception finds themselves fighting for survival.