LYRICAL PRESS

      Kensington Publishing Corp.

      www.kensingtonbooks.com

      Copyright

      Lyrical Press books are published by

      Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

      Copyright © 2017 by Desiree Holt

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

      All Kensington titles, imprints, and distributed lines are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotion, premiums, fund- raising, and educational or institutional use.

      To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

      Special book excerpts or customized printings can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write or phone the office of the Kensington Special Sales Manager:

      Kensington Publishing Corp.

      119 West 40th Street

      New York, NY 10018

      Attn. Special Sales Department. Phone: 1-800-221-2647.

      Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

      LYRICAL PRESS Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

      Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

      First Electronic Edition: October 2017

      eISBN-13: 1978-1-5161-0367-6

      eISBN-10: -5161-0367-X

      First Print Edition: October 2017

      ISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0370-6

      ISBN-10: 1-5161-0370-X

      Printed in the United States of America

      Dedication

      To Joseph Patrick Trainor, who has become my go-to guy on all things law enforcement and special operations. Thank you for all your patience and for answering my millions of questions

      Author’s Foreword

      From Desiree

      Writing a book is a solitary experience but it never comes to the bookshelves, virtual or other, alone. For me it starts with my treasured friend and beta reader extraordinaire, Margie Hager, who has the best eagle eye in the world. Thank you, Margie my love, for all the hours you put in to help me bring my stories to life. And for your friendship, which is a highlight of my life. And to Janet Rodman who always looks out for me.

      Then there is my family. Do they read my books? Absolutely not! But they are the best public relations team in the world. From my daughter Amy who tells all her clients about me to my son Steve who makes sure he lets everyone he knows when I have a book released to my younger daughter Suzanne who is my good right hand and my granddaughter Kayla who is my wonderful left hand. Guys, I could not do it without you. If you see me at a convention, Suzanne will not be far from my side.

      My cats, of course, keep me company while I write, especially Bast who thinks she should get coauthor credit!

      Thanks to all the people who answer my endless questions, from SEALs to Force Recon Marines to Delta Force soldiers to local law enforcement to sports experts. The time you continue to give me is very special.

      Last but very far from least are all of you, my wonderful readers, who send me such great e-mails and posts and are so faithful. A special shout-out to Phuong Phen, Fedora Chen, Shirley Long, and Patricia Sager who have been with me since my journey started and in frustrating times give me the inspiration to push ahead.

      I love you so much. You are my extended family and I send you all many hugs.

      There are a lot more stories to come. Please stay tuned.

      I love to hear from my readers. You can write to me at [email protected] and I hope you will do that.

      Where else can you find me?

      www.desireeholt.com

      www.desireeholttellsall.com

      Facebook: www.facebook.com/authordesireeholt

      Twitter: @desireeholt

      Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/desiree02holt

      I look forward to hearing from all of you.

      Desiree

      Acknowledgments

      Thank you to Marine Brig General Thomas V. Draude, who helped me in my information gathering

      Prologue

      Graham Cole clutched his cell phone, barely restraining himself from throwing it against the wall. Where the hell was Vince? Everything was falling apart and they needed to get the hell out of Dodge.

      How had they even gotten to this point?

      A drug cartel. He was laundering money for a drug cartel.

      It had all started so slowly.

      “We think if you changed these suppliers, you’d help your bottom line.”

      “If you switched distributors for these products, you’d be in a lot better shape.”

      “These people are the cause of all that red ink. Get rid of them.”

      When Graham had discovered the true source of the funds he’d used to save his business, and wanted to pull out, Vince had convinced him it was too dangerous. Vince had been right. No one ever walked away from a cartel.

      Still, he’d been determined to see if there was a way out of the chokehold. Somehow—he had no idea how—word had gotten through to Cruz Moreno, head of the vicious Moreno cartel, that Graham wanted out. He was told to take his money and shut up.

      “They could go after Devon, too,” Vince had told him.

      God! On top of everything else he’d made both Vince and Devon targets of these miserable assholes.

      In