Covert Games
 (Redemption Harbor #6)

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Release date  Jan. 22, 2019

She was supposed to be a means to an end…

Redemption Harbor Consulting’s greatest enemy, Alexei Kuznetsov, is in their sights. For RHC cofounder Leighton, toppling the treacherous criminal’s empire is one more small step toward making up for his own past. To destroy Kuznetsov, he’ll go through the Russian’s niece, a woman Leighton suspects may also be guilty of dirty deeds. A woman he doesn’t count on wanting…who boils his blood and makes Leighton want things he doesn’t deserve with someone he can’t have.

Now she’s everything to him…

Despite other prospects, family loyalty has Lucy Carreras running one of her uncle’s prosperous hotels. But the longer she observes its operations, the more she believes the elegant establishment is host to some shady exploits. When her suspicions are confirmed by Leighton—a dangerous man straight out of her fantasies—Lucy’s entire world explodes when she learns just how evil her uncle’s sins are. Now she can’t stand by and let it continue. She and Leighton will take Alexei down together…if they can survive the deadly storm hurtling toward them. 

This is Leighton Cannon's story. Now I had pegged him to fall in love with his best friend and FBI agent, Hazel, but that was debunked in the last book. Leighton has seen all of his friends pair off and he is starting to feel the isolation. He is stills struggling with things that happened in the military and generally living on auto pilot. He is lonely, smart, resourceful, and his friends are his only family.

When Hazel brings him some information to assist with a case that is linked to a bigger one, he knows he needs to enlist his team to help save one woman and any other women they can. But there is another woman named Luciana Carrera who is closely related to the crime boss they have been after, and they have no idea if she knows about the darker side of the business she helps run.

Leighton finds himself wanting to believe that Lucy does not know of her uncle's nefarious deeds and that she is not guilty by association, and it becomes obvious fairly early whose side Lucy is on. But there are layers of secrets, lies, and family dynamics affecting her. Suddenly her life has taken on a suspenseful and dangerous turn. It is hard to know where the truth lies and who is friend or foe. And Leighton and Lucy will have to figure out if they can really trust each other.

I liked both Leighton and Lucy. Leighton was protective, honorable, and such a charming guy.  And Lucy was smart, inquisitive, and truly caring. They had good rapport and chemistry. Things happen at a pretty fast pace, and there are multiple antagonists and some twists. Fans of this series, will enjoy visiting with some of the other couples and the progression in the larger story arc that has been running through the books.

I received this book for free from netgalley and author  in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Leighton Cannon is tracking the activities of Alexei Kuznetsov as a favor to a friend.His best chance at learning what he needs is through Kuznetsov’s niece, Lucy. He figures she will know of her uncle’s dealings and can help him find what he’s looking for. What he doesn’t count on is finding that Lucy interests him in a way he didn’t think he was capable of.

Lucy Carreras runs her uncle’s hotel, but doesn’t know Alexei Kuznetsov as anything but the man who raised her after her parent’s death. When she begins to suspect illegal activities in her hotel, Leighton confirms her fears and promises to help her dig to the bottom of it.

Both of these characters were quite likeable. Leighton has watched his teammates fall in love and never anticipated he would find that for himself. When he meets Lucy he begins to question that idea, and challenges himself to look beyond her family tree. He is honorable, protective, and solid throughout the dangerous and stressful situations the pair find themselves. Lucy is also a solid character, finding peace in working for family, in doing good. When she learns of her uncle’s activities she is shocked and has to quickly find inner strength she didn’t know she possessed.

I loved returning to Redemption Harbor (and New Orleans with the team). There was less time spent in RH itself, but there were plenty of cameos and assistance by the team members. When this story ramps up, it moves quickly and keeps rolling through scene after dangerous scene. This is another great addition to the Redemption Harbor series. Katie Reus has a solid group of characters and series arc with this set of stories that continues to entertain and engross.

I received this book for free from netgalley and author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

“I’m pretty sure I picked up a tail on the way back,” Leighton said quietly into his phone. He was in the bathroom of the Presidential Suite with the shower running. He’d done a scan for bugs and other electronics and was certain he wasn’t being listened to, but he was still taking extra precautions. Right now more than ever they had to be careful.
“Did you get a good look?” Colt asked.
“No. Just a feeling I’ve had before. Could be nothing but my instinct tells me otherwise. And I didn’t get that feeling until I got close to the actual casino.”
“Well, you did go out with Kuznetsov’s niece. He or someone who works for him could be keeping an eye on you. But…do you need to pull out?” Colt asked, his tone deadly serious.
“I think if my cover was blown, I’d know.” He’d already thought about it and he wanted to stay put. “I don’t want to pull out yet. I want to scout the casino floor again at least one more night, see what we can pick up on cameras. Gage still hasn’t completely infiltrated their system.” And Leighton didn’t think Kuznetsov would stop running women simply because his niece had stumbled onto a small portion of his operation. No, the asshole would just get smarter about it. Kuznetsov liked money too much.
“All right. We’ve all got your back regardless. And if something happens, I have no doubt you’ll be able to fight your way out.”
Leighton half laughed. “Glad you’ve got so much faith in me.”
“So how was lunch with her? Did you get a better feel for her?”
Leighton wasn’t certain how to answer that. He decided to go with the truth, however. “I really like her.”
Colt was silent for a long moment. “Like her, like her? Or…”
“Like her, like her.”
“You’re serious.” Colt’s tone was neutral.
“Yeah. I kissed her. And I can tell myself that it was all part of the job but I’d be lying. You have a right to know. I’m not going to screw things up but I am seriously attracted to this woman. It took me by surprise. I…didn’t expect any of this. Flat out, I just like her. After hearing the recording today, it seems pretty clear she’s not involved with her uncle’s operation. And she volunteers at a suicide hotline.” He felt like a fool for letting his emotions get entangled but he wasn’t a damn robot, and Lucy Carreras had gotten under his skin.
Colt let out a rough sigh. “This isn’t the end of the world. Maybe it’s a good thing. Because we might need to use her as an asset.”
Leighton’s jaw tightened. He didn’t like the thought of using Lucy at all or even thinking of her as an asset. He understood this op was about more than him and his wants and needs, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. Lucy was more than an asset.