Edge of Defiance by Trish Loye

E.D.G.E. Security is a cover for a covert international organization that handles jobs most governments won’t. The operators are the elite of the elite, soldiers and spies, chosen for their skills and secrecy, and their ability to go beyond the edge.

Secrets attract Cassie Kwon and as a reporter, it’s her job to expose them, no matter who disapproves or disagrees. She’s no longer the naïve young girl who’d do anything for the soldier who stole her heart. Now she’s a woman who won’t be swayed by a set of stupidly broad shoulders – no matter how much those shoulders remind her of sexy stares and stolen kisses. She doesn’t have time to be pining after some soldier, especially when that soldier is Derrick Blackwell.
When the biggest story of her life takes Cassie to North Korea, she doesn’t hesitate to search for the truth. Alone. But sneaking past the closed border into one of the most corrupt and oppressive countries in the world is not only dangerous. It’s close to suicide. It’s going to take all of her wits to stay alive.

Colonel Derrick ‘Hawk’ Blackwell has dedicated his life to his country and his unit. He’s never let anything or anyone distract him from the task at hand. Anyone, except for one woman with a fiery temper, wild hair and a driving need to discover the truth. But he’s put the woman who broke his heart behind him—as she clearly demanded—until he finds out she’s missing, then he doesn’t give a damn about what she wants. He has to find her.

For two strong-willed people who delight in defying one another, working together has never been easy. But escaping North Korea will take all of their combined skills and if they can’t resolve their differences, they won’t get out alive.