This story is another in the BAD series.
Carlos Delagado is an operative with secrets. His secrets could put many people in danger within the BAD organization. He is grateful for the opportunity to work in BAD and a second chance. He has to maintain his most secret identity at all costs. He is always wary of being discovered, particularly with the distinctive tattoo he has on his chest. After receiving information about a missing girl and rescuing her, Carlos is put in charge of the operation to find and take into custody a secretive figure called Mirage. He grabs a woman and eventually is able to peel back the layers to find her secrets. As he discovers more about her, he falls in love but also willingly hands her freedom.
Gabrielle Saxe has been in seclusion for a decade. She is in hiding from her ex-husband who has made two attempts on her life. During her time in seclusion, she has developed her computer skills and has been trying to trace the person who killed her mother. Her search leads to a powerful family in South America. She is also able to assist BAD to obtain information about who is trying to harm teenage students from an exclusive school.
There are several threads within this story. The BAD organization, while secret, is actually more open than the other organizations in the story. The South American cartel has certain aspects but there are some within who would betray the cartel. The boss has made links and deals with another organization that is trying to take over the United States government, and one would suppose, the world. There are so many levels to these organizations and some threads have been left undone one would assume for future stories. Elements within the organization have been destroyed but like the hydra some elements still live on.
The action happens in the background which highlights the development of the relationship between Carlos and Gabrielle. Each has many levels to their secrets. Gabrielle has spent the time trying to distance herself from her family and developing Mirage, so when she is forced to reveal her identity she feels exposed. And just when she thinks she knows who Carlos is, he shows her another secret until he has no more and he feels raw and exposed. At times, I was a little disappointed with the relationship as I didn’t feel the explosive chemistry between the pair. I thought there would be more when they were in a life and death situation.
The development of plot and characters is nicely balanced and the reader can see the development of the relationship without the storyline taking over unless it is required. There are characters from previous stories so readers can learn more about them and how they have developed.
