Deadly Deception by Misty Evans

He’ll risk his life in order to protect her…
Seven months after being brutally stabbed, FBI agent Roanna Punto has overcome her PTSD and is ready to return to undercover work…at least what she’s made everyone believe. When the Southern California Violent Crimes Taskforce recruits her to take out a cult leader, Ronni believes getting back in the field will put her demons to rest, but her new partner? He’s the one man she can never trust.
Former spec ops soldier-turned-DEA agent Thomas Mann lives every day with the guilt of having let a killer hurt Ronni. Now she’s on his SoCal turf…and he’ll risk his life in order to protect her. But can he ignore his fantasies about his sexy new partner and do his job?
When their passion ignites while undercover, the truth Ronni’s hiding puts their mission in jeopardy and tests their partnership. Can they learn to trust each other while deceiving the enemy? Or will their cunning foe lure them into a dark and deadly trap?

I love Thomas, loved him in the book one, and I was looking forward to his story.
He is funny, caring, protective, alpha male, with 'emo' side to him. His crazy nicknames,  easygoing nature, and constant movie quotes make him entertaining character. His feelings of  guilt from the past drives him to try being a superhero with a cape.
Ronni carries her own baggage from her childhood, to the last ops, she was on, when she got stabbed. At times she comes off as delusional as Adam, when her childhood mixes with the reality of the new cult.
The romance between Thomas and Ronni is fun, passionate, and true. That part I enjoyed most about the story.
There's not much action in the book, but lots of undercover investigation, trying to figure  out the crimes of the cult. Interesting insides into the everyday life of the cult, and the beliefs of the members.
The story almost lost me at 45% mark, there was some repetition, and the storyline was just not moving forward. But overall an interesting read, and Thomas and Ronni deserve three big spoons with a little teaspoon on a side.

---

Deadly Deception (SCVC Taskforce Book 2)