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Whatever it takes, as long as it takes.

***NOTE THIS TITLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED UNDER THE TITLE SEAL FOREVER. IT HAS BEEN EDITED AND RETITLED. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY READ SEAL FOREVER, YOU HAVE READ THIS STORY.***


A career-ending injury changed his life.
Creed Lachlan was forced out of the Navy SEALs and now works as a freelance contractor for Guardian Security. His current mission is to identify the production site for emerging “dirty” bombs. His contact in Cuba wasn’t the sixty-year-old man he’d been told to expect, but a sultry beauty with a sassy attitude was hellbent on driving him insane.

Mariella Diaz was her uncle’s right arm.
She was intelligent, smart, and, unfortunately, a woman who would never inherit her uncle’s business. Her uncle sat atop the largest black-market organization in Cuba. As his niece, Mariella routinely outmaneuvered the corrupt communist regime to provide the people of her country with necessities. Her skills were why her uncle assigned her to him--the grumpy, sexy-as-sin American who aggravated her at every turn. Even so, keeping him and his team out of danger would require extra diligence.

In a game of cat and mouse played out in a deadly arena, Mariella and Creed face more perilous risks than capture, torture, and imprisonment. They risked losing each other.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2022

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About the author

Kris Michaels

78 books1,047 followers
USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author, Kris Michaels is the alter ego of a happily married wife and mother. She writes romance, usually with characters from military and law enforcement backgrounds.

Kris was born and raised in South Dakota. She graduated many years ago from a high school class consisting of 13 students (yes that is thirteen, eleven girls and two boys...lucky boys). She joined the military, met her husband, and traveled the world. Today she lives on the Gulf Coast and writes full time.

Kris is an avid people watcher and dreamer. The stories she writes are crafted around the hopes and dreams of a true romantic. She believes love is essential, people are beautiful, and everyone deserves a happy ending.

When she isn't writing Kris enjoys a full life revolving around family, friends, laughing, whiskey, and cold red wine. (Yes cold...don't judge.)

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5 stars
1,014 (73%)
4 stars
277 (20%)
3 stars
70 (5%)
2 stars
12 (<1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Khurram.
2,086 reviews6,670 followers
April 1, 2023
Lucky?

A great book. Once again Kris Michaels writes an incredible book that can stand on its own but fits perfectly into the Guardian universe.

Creed's first love has been to the Navy as a Seal he is and worked with the best of the best. Unfortunately, a knee injury ended his fieldwork. Not wanting to take an admin job he left but has rehabilitated and kept in shape hungry for an opportunity. Marielle, has worked her way up in her uncle's organization though she is third in command she is seen as just a woman. However, she is the woman her uncle chooses for this job.

Great story, excellent tactical knowledge, great characters, and character development. On a personal note, it was great to see one of my favorite shadows make an appearance. This also sets up a couple of future books I cannot wait for.
Profile Image for PepperP0t .
4,913 reviews83 followers
February 3, 2024
Since a career ending injury separated Creed Lachlan from the SEALs, he’s busy working but misses the adrenaline rush. Coming home, Creed’s surprised to see a suited man on the porch, wilted from the heat and the wait. The man presents a proposition to Creed, work as a contractor for Guardian he’d track some lost agents and dirty bombs, the job has Creed salivating. He accepts.

Almost as soon as he gets to Cuba, Creed has to adjust the team’s plan. Instead of Rafa, a middle-aged information broker, his contact turns out to be Rafa’s niece, Mariella Diaz. Mariella’s worked hard to be Rafa’s number three and his position with government and criminals alike gives her a bit of power and ease in her life. But Mariella really dislikes Rafa’s number two, who leers at her and waits for the opportunity to get her alone or Rafa’s approval to marry her. Whatever’s first.

Creed’s certain Rafa isn’t even as truthful as he was led to believe though Mariella’s loyal to Rafa, she’s honest. Creed was right to be suspicious, Rafa has a list of demands including Creed marry Mariella before he shares the lost agents’ situation. Grudgingly, Creed and Mariella marry just as Creed and his team find the location and creators of the dirty bomb though Rafa still refuses to share the status of the agents.
Rating: 4.25stars
Profile Image for Avidchic reader.
614 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2023
Creed.
I don't know how you do it, kris michaels, you clever woman!!
It was mission based brilliance..just loooooooved it.
It was so exciting.
I frowned that smoke and sage didn't know eachother...but realised creed was before smoke.
And jarrad..woo hoo, you put him in to.
together with a simplicity that asked for precise planning, the plotline rolled of the production line like a well-oiled machine. and then you sneak in our wonderful alphas, some hotness and an HEA.
the pace kept flowing. Our girl was kick ass sassy, and the innuendo regarding certain characters just kept the angst up. so enjoyed the depth you gave the world building and how you tied logical reason with the storyline to give me a perfectly acceptable reason for how it all worked out. so loved it and eagerly awaiting Sage.
Oh, and Matt...perfect 🥰 simply bloody perfect. his accents... the best. his tone, better than all the rest...
Profile Image for Carolyn.
1,745 reviews6 followers
April 22, 2023
Creed and Mariella

This is a fantastic read. Forced to retire from the Navy due to a knee injury Creed has rehab religiously working toward employment doing what he loves. Mariella is beautiful, strong willed and sharp tongued as third in command for her uncle’s black market business in Cuba providing necessary items for a price including information but her uncle is from the old school and thinks she should be married and making babies. Creed is tapped for a mission working with the CIA and Guardian to find the location that makes dirty bombs in Cuba and find four missing CIA Agents. His contact is Mariella’s uncle, Rafa, but he sends her instead. The two get off to a rock start but the attraction is there. This one is action packed, suspenseful and steamy. I really liked that Creed made sure Mariella was more than capable of helping complete this mission.
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 6 books85 followers
November 27, 2023
Creed ~ Guradian Defenders ~ Book 6 is about a Navy SEAL that is forced out the military because of an accident where he blew out his knee and needed a knee replacement. He returned home to his family boat business in the Florida Keys and worked hard at the gym and for the family business. He had applied to Guardian Security the prior year but didn't hear nothing until he was asked to head a team into Cuba to look for missing CIA agents and a dirty necular devise.

He is a wonderful character, moral, a great leader, a good planner and compassionate. I loved this story as he falls in love with a Cuban woman, his contact and helper in completing his mission and his wife too by the end of the book. The excitement level keeps this adventure moving until the very end and the team remembered that once a SEAL always a SEAL.
Profile Image for Brenda.
376 reviews3 followers
May 18, 2023
Creed was forced to retire from the Navy after receiving a knee injury. Currently working for the family business, he is thrilled when the government approaches him about working for Guardian Security. Finding out the four guardians originally sent to Cuba to find dirty bombs were betrayed and captured, Creed's plans now include bringing the men home. Creed’s assignment takes him to Cuba where he encounters Mariella Diaz, the niece of Rafael Diaz, the leader of Cuba’s largest black market operations. Once they reach Rafa, the players have changed and it’s up to Mariella to help Creed get both the bombs and the men out without getting killed in the process.
This book was originally published under the name SEAL Forever.
Profile Image for Branda.
125 reviews
March 9, 2024
Another Great Book by Kris Michaels!

Kudos to Kris for creating another great storyline filled with action packed scenes, leave you in suspense, & definitely keep you wanting more too.

Creed is a BadAss Ex Seal who is asked by Guardian to return as a freelance contractor & lead a team that he helps put together for an important Mission. It's during his mission in Cuba he gets to know his new team & also meets the niece of the primary contact Rafa he originally was supposed to meet but instead sent his niece Mariella who has a sassy, smart, knows what she wants attitude. I was excited to see a few familiar Guardians and new characters too that I hope their stories will be coming out too.
Profile Image for Debra.
3,390 reviews11 followers
March 7, 2023
Creed

This is a great idea to keep the Guardian Defenders going. I have enjoyed each book in this evolving story. Here Creed has been picked for a special mission. He needs to pick a team of men and go where few have gone in the past. Cuba has become a hot bed for more than just communism. Now there seems like someone is trying to use the country as a jumping off point for more terrorism heading into the US. There is a man who has his fingers in many different things there. Can he be trusted to help with what is going on? Why is he using his niece as his go between with Creed?
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
405 reviews11 followers
December 17, 2022
Interesting

Although this is called Guardian Defenders, there's minimal input from Guardian Security which in some ways is a shame. However the story stands alone as a good read although the technicalities that are written about are a little too much (you'll understand when you read it).
This is the story of Creed working a job for Guardian with a team he chooses in Cuba where he meets Mariella who works for her uncle Rafa.
They work together to resolve danger and grow closer as they travel through their journey.
A good read although expensive
2,243 reviews6 followers
January 20, 2023
I could not finish this book. CREED Is a great story with interesting characters but the foul language began in paragraph 2 and never stopped.
The main character, Creed, is described as an experienced Navy SEAL and educated leader of men, a graduate of Annapolis, but the author presents him as only knowing one adjective (which begins with the letter f). It disgusted me. Yes, I know people curse; I prefer friends with more extensive vocabularies. I think this author is a talented writer and can do better.
Profile Image for Meghan.
2,870 reviews7 followers
April 10, 2023
Unexpected Solutions

Creed and Mariella. Covert ops for Guardian and a secret backdealer type for Cubans. Dirty bombs and missing CIA agents. They did not have a good meeting, but chemistry and an arranged marriage worked in their favor. The international parts of the story and Cuban politics was intriguing. Lots of secret negotiations and international deal. Loved seeing Bear and Sage and of course any of the Kings! Great series and fun read with a little cliffhanger for the next book!
1,094 reviews5 followers
November 2, 2023
I love Creed and Mariella

Creed went to do a job for Guardian but ended up with more than he expected. Mariella was the third in command of her uncle's business but that was only because she was a girl. Then she is pulled from her normal job to go meet Americans for het uncle. Now she is working with Creed and his team to find the kidnapped CIA agents and also find the ones making the dirty bombs and shut them down. Will they be able to do everything without getting caught by the Cuban government or military?
Profile Image for Sue Smith.
589 reviews3 followers
November 23, 2022
Wow... what an absolutely brilliant, thrilling story. I was hooked from start to finish.
Throughly enjoyed Creed and Mariella's exciting story trying to outrun the Cuban's without getting shot or injured in the process. Not knowing who to trust, even her own Uncle.
Great how Guardian was bought into the story, looking forward to Sage's story and hopefully Bear???
Fantastic, thrilling storyline, brilliant characters and absolutely loved the HEA.
Profile Image for Dana zamora.
802 reviews7 followers
December 9, 2022
My SEAL forever

I loved it then and I still love this story, Creed and Mariella, explosions abound when they learned they had to get married, once back in the States it can be annulled, working together to free the captured CIA agents, lust or love, a combination of both, it's been a hot minute since I read Seal forever, so with the new name reread, thank you Kris Michaels, Dana Zamora
Profile Image for Dawn Cruikshank.
1,023 reviews5 followers
January 4, 2023
Creed

Wow! Another FANTASTIC story by Kris! This one is about Creed and Marielle. This story takes us to Cuba and it gets interesting as we go through the chapters. This story is a rewrite but there are definitely sections that are new. Loved seeing some of the characters from other stories and we got to see Jared King. It's awesome how these guys get things done and we get a HEA out of the story! FANTASTIC job Kris! I would highly recommend this book.
395 reviews
January 9, 2023
Explosive

I have read all of this Authors stories surrounding not only the King family but all of the extended families that are the Guardians. Each story in itself is spellbinding where you can't put it down. This extended series is every bit as good as the first Guardian stories. Creed and Mariella are perfect for one another. I for one can't wait for this Authors next story to come out.
Profile Image for Lisa.
381 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2023
Creed & Mariella are amazing!

I love Kris Michaels! I have never read a book of hers that I didn’t want to immediately read again and this is another in the list! It covers the action, romance, humor - all the things I know that I’ll get, and always surprises that I don’t see coming. Watching how Creed & Mariella come together was awesome!! It was a great book and I always love seeing all the different parts of Guardian and all the familiar Guardian people! Whatever it takes…
1,782 reviews4 followers
June 24, 2023
Very good

Creed is medically retired due to his knee. He has a visitor.
Mariella is the niece to a man that runs dealings in Cuba. He is sending her in to get info.
Creed has picked his team and they are in Cuba to find missing agents and dirty bombs.
Creed and Mariella are now married as a cover. They are closing in on finding the warehouse with the bombs. Will they find them? Will they rescue the missing men? Will they stay married?
Profile Image for Suzi.
833 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2022
good

Very enjoyable read. Creed has been out of the service rehabbing from an injury that permanently sidelined him when guardians calls him up to head up a mission. So much to like about this book. Mariela is such a strong character with a strong story to tell and Creed is her man.
Profile Image for FreyaJo.
286 reviews3 followers
November 27, 2022
Shotgun Wedding

Creed was restless so he accepted the mission thru Anderson and Guardian. He was prepared to do whatever it would take, for as long as it would take, but did that include marriage to a stranger?
I read this before and really love the way you have tweaked the Guardian connection and the team members. Kris Michaels is the best.
1,676 reviews7 followers
February 20, 2023
Danger and Love!

Creed: WOW! Exciting, intense, full of surprises, suspense and romance! Connection with the that they picked for the mission. Creed wasn't sure what to expect for this mission for Guardian but it was what he like to do and what he mission after being discharge from the Navy Seal. He was not expecting to be married to an amazing tough women. Great story!
Profile Image for Jenni Bishop.
4,867 reviews52 followers
June 18, 2023
I honestly can not say enough good things about Kris's writing. I love some seriously alpha men and the women that tame them and Kris writes them so well.

Love these books and the spin off series. They keep on getting better and better.

You don't know what you are missing if you don't read Kris's work.
Profile Image for Sandra.
386 reviews
January 26, 2024
Beautiful twist.

The story had a good twist and was such a feel great story. I only wish I had read it prior to the changes. I kept adjusting my mind to see where Si and the DHS team would have fit, I was looking for that silver seal connection. Either way I felt happy reading it. Highly recommend
Profile Image for Sophie Ruthven.
2,146 reviews139 followers
April 13, 2024
4 solid stars

I personally found that this book had so much packed into it, which is normally a good thing. But in this case things personally felt rushed through when I'm used to more details from this author.
I did love the characters and plot though despite the deviation from the norm.
November 22, 2022
Beautiful story, another great by you Kris. You keep writing the best stories

Beautiful sorry, another great by you Kris. You keep writing the best stories.
You are the very best author there is.
2,071 reviews5 followers
November 25, 2022
Creed

Great book. I couldn't stop reading it. The intricate actions of the people involved in the game and the way Rafa had control in Cuba rang with a lot of truth on how some people live. Can't wait to read more.
449 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2022
Don't know how I managed to miss this book!

I have truly loved and lived this book as with all Kris Michaels books!
Full of adventure, battle, and of course a love story.
Please give it a read you will not be disappointed.
Happy Reading x
351 reviews
December 19, 2022
An interesting twist

I liked the twist to the defenders. This moved away fro the traditional and brought in a new team, which is so cool. I always love Kris Michael's stories and characters. They are deep, thoughtful ones with an edge.
12 reviews
December 21, 2022
easy read carry on from others

Very easy, slightly predictable but it is what it is. Entertaining and flows. Well written and lovely to get these side stories to one of the best main stories I have read the kings
1,082 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2023
Awesome!!!

Always a goood time with Guardian!!! Creed misses the Military. His family is worried about him. Mariella is tough. She works for her Uncle. Dara is a black market goods dealer. Loved Sage and Dan. Bear was awesome. Loved it. By
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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