FOUR 'I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE' STARS!
The second book in Marysol James' Unseen Enemy series is a wonderful addition, picking right up where the first book ended but focusing on Olivia's situation. I love the way the author has interwoven the stories, as vastly different as they are, and how she builds on the characters and plot lines from the first book while laying some groundwork for the next two books. I loved how the guys rallied to be there for both Olivia and Dallas, and how gentle Chris and Jim were when they explained Olivia's situation to Jenny and Kat.
"Pick up, Dallas, please!"
Supermodel Olivia Jameson, one of Emma's best friends, is being stalked. The stalker has escalated his contact with her and she is terrified. Dallas Foreman, one of Dean's best friends, is a retired Army Ranger sniper and the owner of a world class security company. Olivia receives a frightening text message that shows her just how close this stalker has gotten to her, and she immediately attempts to reach her bodyguard, from a firm that Dallas does not respect. When she gets the guard's voicemail, in her terrorized state, she calls Dallas and he calms her down as he rushes to her. Dallas' firm takes over Olivia's security and a few of his employees are introduced in this book as part of Olivia's security detail.
"You're safe. I've got you."
Dallas not only takes over her security, but he also begins an investigation into Olivia's stalker. During this time, his security team is in place with Dallas as the inside man on the overnight crew. Dallas and his team really get to know Olivia during this time. Having worked with numerous celebrities over the years, they fully expected a spoiled, entitled, self-important persona. Despite her obvious fright over this situation, Olivia surprised all of them with her genuine kindness, her easy-going, appreciative and cooperative nature, and her quiet strength in this situation. Dallas' feelings for Olivia grow tremendously over this time, but he is unwilling to progress beyond a professional relationship until he closes this case. Olivia is equally taken with Dallas, and she is very attracted to him.
"It's going to be OK, Olivia. I'll make sure of it."
The stalker again shows just how close he can get to Olivia regardless of her new security detail, and Dallas and his team are enraged. They ramp up security, and Dallas and his team members are humbled by the amount of respect, trust and faith that Olivia still has in them. Dallas is falling hard and fast for her, in a way that he knows he wants something real and lasting with her. As investigation intensifies, Dallas' gut instincts are telling him that something isn't right, something is being overlooked, and he has everyone working around the clock to figure it out. Dallas has his suspicions about what could potentially be going on but there is nothing he can concretely put his finger on. He's furious that the stalker was able to get so close to her again, presumably while he was there, and he moves Olivia into his home. Their attraction to each other is palpable, and they both have deep feelings, but Dallas is trying to keep his focus on the case before he makes a move. They continue to get to know each other better during this time, and Dallas shares some of his personal secrets with her in an effort to even the field since he uncovered all of her secrets while investigating her background. They finally confess their feelings to each other and give in to their passion.
"What am I missing?"
Tensions are high, Dallas and his team are on alert, and his every instinct is telling him that something is off. They're missing something big, something important. The stalker makes his move, and he does it in such a way as to purposely hurt not Olivia physically, but also Dallas mentally and emotionally. The attack is vicious leaving Olivia scarred in many ways despite her ultimate rescue by Dallas. I don't want to give too much away about this portion of the story, except to say that it was positively gripping. I had my suspicions about the stalker, but I certainly did not see all the ways that this story would unfold. This portion of the story was very well executed, and the author's creativity in unraveling the crime was positively gripping. Showing the little bit of a twisted creative mind only served to further cement my fangirldom of this author.
"You failed her."
Dallas blames himself for the attack, and he is consumed with guilt. He begins to pull away from Olivia in preparation of her anticipated realization that he could/should have done more to prevent the attack. Olivia sees his retreat as confirmation of his repulsion of her physically after the attack. Thanks to encouragement from their friends, Olivia and Dallas work through this and come to realize that they were both very wrong. Dallas is so patient with Olivia during her recovery from this traumatic event. Olivia, once a world renowned Supermodel, is not the same picture of externally beautiful perfection she once was, and she has a very hard time adjusting to her new circumstances and accepting herself. Of course, Emma and Dean's love deepens as she continues to battle cancer, and the breadcrumbs are laid to set up books for Chris and Jenny as well as Jim and Kat.
"I love you, Olivia. More than I can ever say."
This was a fantastic addition to the Unseen Enemy series. Marysol James is truly a multi-dimensional author with the ability to turn out amazingly engrossing stories. A little of Olivia and Emma's friend, Jenny's, background was uncovered in this story, and I'm highly anticipating the next book. Another job well done, Marysol James!