Paladin - Hope Novak, #2

A relentless nightmare begins with the chilling abduction of Miranda Green, the daughter of Hope's devoted student, Daphne Green. When Daphne inexplicably vanishes, Hope's maternal instincts surge to life, plunging her into a perilous quest. Hope joins forces with Detective Sam Ryan, a renegade known for bending the law in pursuit of justice. As they unite to rescue Miranda, they navigate a treacherous underworld, unraveling a web of horror connecting Miranda's disappearance to a ruthless local gang embroiled in human trafficking and drug trade.
Even more ominous, the sinister shadow of powerful drug cartels looms on the border. Amid escalating peril, Ewa continues her side mission with cutting-edge surveillance techniques to track the enigmatic tech executives linked to Project Aurora. Annaliese Bauer, a Muay Thai black belt instructor, and Hope's younger sister, contributes her combat prowess, while Celia Mendonca, a UNLV student and Hope's protégé, lends her strength to the fight against human trafficking.
The team battles through obstacles and corruption, facing betrayal from an unexpected source within their circle. Yet, they persevere, plunging deeper into the criminal abyss to dismantle the gang's operations and secure Miranda's release. Hope and Sam's unwavering pursuit of justice strengthens their bond as they labor tirelessly to bring the culprits to justice. A perilous confrontation looms, pitting them against Carlos Perez, the heartless gang leader, in their most formidable challenge yet.
Despite a shattering setback, Hope and her allies unearth newfound determination and inner fortitude. Their relentless commitment to their mission leads to Miranda's rescue and the crippling blow to the gang's human trafficking and drug trade.