Heartless by Christy Reece

The biggest secrets are often held by those we trust the most.

Nicholas Hawthorne, code name Hawke, has lived in the shadows most of his life. The night he met Olivia Gates, a bright light pierced the darkness, and his life was never the same. Opposites in everything except what mattered, they formed an extraordinary bond based on mutual goals, unfailing trust, and most of all love. Their partnership was legendary, their devotion to each other unshakable. They believed nothing could tear them apart. But evil has a way of seeking out perfection with the intent to destroy.
Evil thought it had won.
Olivia Gates learned betrayal at an early age, and life had taught her that nothing was permanent or perfect. When she met Hawke, all those lessons went out the window. He was her soul mate, the other half of her heart. She would love him forever, no matter what. But forever is a long time. How could she have forgotten that betrayal can shatter a heart in an instant?
Returning from the dead was never Hawke’s intent. The elaborate ruse was staged for myriad reasons, but now he has no choice but to come in from the cold. Enemies he’s spent years hunting are on the move, and catching them is his sole focus. The woman he loves—the woman he would die for—is their primary target, and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. The fact that she hates him cannot hinder his goal.
As enemies surround them, Hawke and Olivia have a choice to make—let the past destroy them forever or join forces and fight the enemy together.
Their love is eternal, but survival is optional.

Heartless is the third novel in the Option Zero romantic suspense series. It is a stand-alone novel with a guaranteed HEA.