Favorite Quote: "I meant it then." His grip tightened. "And I mean it now." The smile was back. And so was his mouth.
Rachel has succeeded time and time again to blow me away with each novel in this series. I didn't think that I was going to enjoy this one. I will be honest. I was not a huge fan of Phoenix in this series. Not all those who are broken can be fixed. Well, prepare yourself, because this novel is a real doozy.
We jump in with the aftermath of Elicit. HOPEFULLY you have read Enforce before jumping into this. You REALLY need to. I can't emphasize that enough. You need to experience this series from that book before you go forward. It is vital to your complete understanding. I warned you, so if you didn't, please do. It is just as epic a novel as this one unfolds to be.
Phoenix is living a nightmare. Every single day he wakes up and has to protect the only bit if light in his life. That light isn't there by his choice. Phoenix is the only thing protecting Bee from this life they are all forced to live. He is the only thing that stands between her and harm. When she doesn't realize though, it that Phoenix could be as much of that hurt as the dangers that lurk outside.
When your life is broken and you are living as a shell, it is even harder to turn away from the one thing that makes you feel. For Phoenix that is Bee. Despite what he tells her and himself, he can't help but ignore her completely. She is the light and he can't turn away, at least not completely. Bit. By. Bit. She will continue to chip away at his shell, and we are along for the wild ride.
"It was getting harder and harder to ignore her warmth - when I lived in a constant state of near-death cold."
This story is a lot of broken. Each novel in this series we have journeyed with these characters and felt their hurt. We have gone through the ringer with gun shot wounds, deaths, missing people, nothing compares to this novel. Nothing that you have read yet can prepare you for the hurt you will experience for these characters. For Bee. For Phoenix.
"The best thing you can do it let him do his job and love him from afar."
"But I want to love him close."
Throw Sergio into this mix and things really get messy. While everyone else is on one mission, Sergio's past is coming to call and things start to get really messy. He is the character that has been in the shadows, and now he has no choice but to walk into the light. And the is the thing about the light, it doesn't help keep our secrets hidden as well as the dark does.
"Now Interest. And Definitely not attraction. After all, she was as good as deal. And so was I."
This whole novel I was on my toes. I was hoping one thing and think gin another was going to happen, then Rachel would pull that rug from under my feet and show me the real path we were on. The raw emotion you experience in this novel leaves you breathless, coupled with the writing we know and love from Rachel Van Dyken, this novel is one for the 5 Star shelf. You have never read anything better. I can promise you that.
Go get lost in Eagle Elite and fall in love with our Mafia boys. You won't be able to help yourself.
Synopsis:
I am a Killer. A Rapist. A Monster.
I know only pain and survival.
That is until the Cappo's sister walked into my life.
And changed everything.
She's a light who makes my darkness darker, her smile makes my heart turn to ice, and I can't escape the fear her seductive looks instill--knowing it's only a matter of time before I fail--again, and take her for myself.
This is the story of my redemption.
But it's not pretty...I died, and now I'm alive, but not living, breathing but not surviving. I am Phoenix De Lange, son to a murdered mob boss, estranged brother, horrible friend, monster in the making, newest leader to one of the most powerful families in the Cosa Nostra.
And I will have my vengeance.
Or die trying.
I am Phoenix De Lange.
Death is all I know.
Until she offers me a piece of life--I can't resist taking.
