As the two strike an uneasy alliance, Levi finds himself tormented by his desire for Selene—a feeling he thought long dead. But when their mission takes an unexpected turn, he finds himself faced with an impossible choice: either put aside his need for revenge, or save the woman who’s reawakened his soul…

Shattered Duty Excerpt

If it had been flex cuffs she would have gone into panic mode, but she retained her cool as she looked down at her hands. While she internally cursed herself for letting her guard down, she could get out of these whenever she wanted. “Really? I already said you can come with me. And what kind of pervert carries handcuffs around?”

“If you think I trust you, you’re out of your damn mind. You’re coming with me and I’m not letting you out of my sight until we meet with Tasev. For all I know you’re going to call Wesley.” He grabbed her forearm, surprisingly gently, and tugged so that she had to stand with him.

In the distance she could see and hear people still at the party. Apparently a little gunfire was no big deal to this crowd. “Of course I’m going to call him, but not about you.”

Levi just grunted and motioned toward the beach. Since she could get out of the cuffs anytime she wanted, she let him think he had the upper hand and allowed him to lead her. If anything, her compliance might lull him into feeling secure around her. The NSA knew Levi was in Miami since he’d helped them locate a nasty group of terrorists just a couple of weeks ago but they had no idea where he was staying.

As they reached the beach she tugged against his grip. “Unless you want me stumbling every few feet, let me take my shoes off,” she demanded.

He turned to look at her, his expression unreadable. “Try to take me out and you’ll regret it.” There was a dark note in his voice that should scare her but instead did strange things to her insides.

He bent down in front of her, the moonlight playing off his inky hair. She lifted one foot and again, to her utter surprise, he was incredibly gentle as he took her ankle. Her silver shoes were strappy and delicate with a small buckle on her inner ankle. Even after he’d unstrapped it, his fingers lingered as he rubbed that same soft pattern over the top of her foot as he’d done to her wrist.

It was weird and erotic at the same time. She felt his touch all the way to her core. Just as quickly as he started he jerked to a stop, shaking his head slightly. When he took off her other shoe he did it in seconds, barely grazing her skin. For some strange reason she was disappointed. Selene shouldn’t care whether this man touched her or not but she couldn’t help the new burst of desire that had erupted inside her.

She was so good at compartmentalizing her emotions. It was something she’d been doing since she was a teenager. She’d had to in order to survive and it was part of the reason she was such a valuable asset to the NSA. Unfortunately just being in Levi’s presence was jeopardizing everything she’d worked for.

For two f****** years he'd been living in this f*****-up state and couldn't shake it no matter how hard he tried. Because the only thing that would make a difference was vengeance. 

Former NSA agent Levi Lazaro has gone off the grid in order to find his wife's murderer. He's been rogue and on a mission of revenge for two years. He gave up his career, his life, and is basically dead inside. But he is getting closer and closer to answers.

When his agenda crosses with Agent Selene Wolfe who works with his old colleagues at the NSA, it only makes sense to pool resources and work together. But trust is not something either of them take lightly. Levi has been working outside proper channels for two years. He has no idea if Selene will turn him in to his former boss or use him. So he still needs to follow self protection techniques to keep himself safe and undetected. And she is wary about how Levi's revenge plans could ruin her own op. But along the way they develop an understanding and a combined need to see the op through even if for their own reasons.

She knew that things between them would end badly, but she wanted Levi in a way that defied logic, and probably her sanity, and she wanted everything he had to offer. Even if she got burned in the end. 

This was like the other novels in this series with a multi-layered plot that intertwined with some of the previous books, multiple antagonists, complex characters, suspense, and danger. Levi's journey has been ongoing in his quest for revenge and redemption. He had alienated most of his former colleagues at NSA, but many agents were a part of this story--Wesley Burkhart, Jack Stone, Dax Costas, Nathan Ortiz, and Karen Stafford (will be the subject of the next book Edge of Danger).

This one had murder, revenge, terrorism, kidnapping, and rescue missions. It was fast-paced, emotional, romantic and had some interesting twists. I really liked the match up between Levi and Selene. I had been looking forward to Levi's story since the beginning of the series, and I am satisfied how it played out.

Selene Wolfe is a smart, excellent operative. When she is on a mission, it is her whole focus. She was recruited young and as a result is very experienced at what she does.

When her paths cross with Levi Lazaro, a former NSA agent gone rogue after his wife’s murder, she can’t help but wonder how her mission is entwined with Levi’s search for a murderer.

Levi intrigued me in the first two books of the series and I was excited to get more of his story. Off the grid, grieving, and searching for his wife’s murderer, his story became more and more interesting as bits and pieces came to light through the other missions that crossed his path.

This started a little slower than I expected, but after a few chapters the pieces started coming together and I was hooked. I loved the characters from very early on and loved the way they worked together and struggled to overcome their issues.

I liked these two together. With their common goal, though different motives, their working relationship served as the basis for everything that developed after their meeting. I loved the way they challenged each other both personally and professionally.

There were several twists that hit me unawares and I loved every one of them. This was a fast paced, good read. The connections that were developed early in the book created great ties between the characters, even as the characters don’t always realize the connections.

The bits of humor and lightness, especially as they develop the operational trust that has to form for them to work together, are exactly what I love about this series. It does a great job of showing the development of the personal relationship even as they fight to focus on the mission. Yes, it is a romantic suspense, but the humor keeps things light and keeps them moving throughout.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.