Summary
Tiana Lewis, a brilliant but disillusioned business analyst, is tired of helping corporations strip struggling communities of their last resources. When she investigates a suspicious shell company connected to a community center, she unknowingly crosses Miss Candy — a powerful and charismatic gang leader who hides her trafficking and smuggling ring behind a mask of philanthropy.
After Tiana is kidnapped and forced into Miss Candy’s “Dream. Train. Rise.” program, she meets Robin — a quiet, sharp-witted young woman with information that could take down Miss Candy’s entire operation. Unbeknownst to Tiana, she’s not just a random target; she’s sitting on data that could expose Miss Candy’s buyers, and that makes her too valuable to kill — but too dangerous to leave free.
Raymond, a reluctant informant working to free his own sister from Miss Candy’s grip, teams up with Joshua, a deep-cover federal agent whose entire operation has just been compromised. Together, they must save Tiana and Robin, expose the mole in both the FBI and the local police force, and bring Miss Candy down — all while staying alive and one step ahead of a woman who always seems to know what’s coming.
The deeper they dig, the more dangerous the game becomes. Loyalties are tested, betrayals are revealed, and the line between survival and vengeance blurs. The book ends with a daring escape, a bloody confrontation, and a cliffhanger revelation that proves Miss Candy is just the tip of a much bigger network — and someone powerful on the inside wants Joshua and Raymond dead before they can uncover the truth.
Meet the Cast – Under Fire
Tiana “Tee” Lewis – 26, sharp-witted business analyst who uncovers corruption for a living but hides her own fears. Kidnapping forces her to find courage, trust again, and take her future into her own hands.
Raymond “Ray” Navarro – 25, quiet ex-gang member turned informant. Tough, calculating, and fiercely loyal to family. Tiana makes him want more than survival — even if it means bringing down Miss Candy’s empire.
Miss Candy (Candace James) – Glamorous queenpin running the city’s underworld. Charismatic and ruthless, but cracks show as she underestimates those she controls.
Joshua “Josh” Greene – 29, undercover FBI agent with a cool head and a strong moral code. His growing bond with Raymond and romance with Robin raise the stakes.
Robin Alvarez – 23, former insider with secrets that could destroy Miss Candy. Guarded and sarcastic, she’s the missing link in the case.
Moussa & Ray – Miss Candy’s muscle. Moussa is the silent, watchful enforcer; Ray is hot-headed and reckless — a dangerous mix.
Copyright © 2025 by Jasmine Benton. All rights reserved. This book is my 100% original work.
