Special Agent Thomas Smoke is a master of protection?and a prolific, government-sanctioned killer. With thirty-two documented "retirements" under his belt, he is assigned to the ultimate high-security asset: the protective detail of the First Lady of the United States, codename Jonquil.

But as Smoke approaches his thirty-fifth birthday, he harbors a dark personal obsession?he wants his lethal tally to match his age.

What begins as an intense game of survival and tactical combat quickly spirals out of control when a shadow network strikes. Forced into a thrilling, international cat-and-mouse game from the snow-covered grids of Manhattan to the high-alpine luxury of St. Moritz and Zurich, Smoke must navigate elite conspiracies, dangerous attractions, and deadly betrayals. To save the First Lady, he will have to unleash his darkest instincts. Because in a world built on deception, the ultimate weapon is the perfect distraction.

This high-octane political espionage thriller is approximately 68,000 words.