The Guardians Series by Kay David

For the Negotiator, talk is never cheap. In a moment, he has to make connections with the crazed and the desperate and the lost. He has to promise, cajole and placate. Success is a rush. Failure would cripple a lesser man. Above all, he must stay detached. Beck Winters is the Negotiator. Despite everything he's seen and done, Beck's still sane, but only because he never allows himself to get close to anyone... moreFor the Negotiator, talk is never cheap. In a moment, he has to make connections with the crazed and the desperate and the lost. He has to promise, cajole and placate. Success is a rush. Failure would cripple a lesser man. Above all, he must stay detached. Beck Winters is the Negotiator. Despite everything he's seen and done, Beck's still sane, but only because he never allows himself to get close to anyone. Then during a hostage incident, he hears a voice over the phone line, Jennifer Barclay's voice. Jennifer's in the wrong place at the wrong time. Her plan has always been to avoid excitement. But that was before she was taken hostage...before the incident ended badly...and before she met the Negotiator. less

Lena McKinney is the Commander.Two years ago, Lena tried to be both a woman and a cop—it didn't work out. Now her ex-fiance is back in town and her SWAT team has been assigned to protect him. Much as she'd like to walk away, Lena will do her duty, keeping her true feelings buried.But that's before the shots are fired….

To some, the members of the bomb squad are more than a little left of normal. After all, when everyone else is running away from a bomb, they're heading toward it. In this line of work, precision, knowledge and nerves of steel are requirements—especially when a serial bomber makes the team his next target. Hannah Crosby and Quinn McNichol are perfect for each other—everyone thinks so. But sometimes being perfect isn't enough. Hannah wants more. Marriage, children, a future.. moreTo some, the members of the bomb squad are more than a little left of normal. After all, when everyone else is running away from a bomb, they're heading toward it. In this line of work, precision, knowledge and nerves of steel are requirements—especially when a serial bomber makes the team his next target. Hannah Crosby and Quinn McNichol are perfect for each other—everyone thinks so. But sometimes being perfect isn't enough. Hannah wants more. Marriage, children, a future... Quinn doesn't think marriage—let alone children—is a good idea. He can never forget the dangers that people in their profession face every day. What happens if one of them doesn't come home one night? And now it seems as if a bomber is trying to help them answer that question. less