Retrieval

He survived war. He’s battled silence. But this time, it’s personal — and he’s not hiding who he is anymore.

Cameron Holt, a 29-year-old gay Black ex–Special Forces operative, returns to Baltimore after years of serving in the shadows. For the first time in his life, he’s ready to stop running — from his past, from the closet, and from the version of himself the world demanded he be.

But home doesn’t wait for healing.
Nine months ago, his best friend DeShawn — the one person who saw through the armor and knew the truth — disappeared without a trace. No news, no leads, no urgency. Just another missing Black man written off.

But Cameron refuses to write him off.

With his military training, a sharp tactical mind, and a soul full of rage and love, Cameron begins a relentless search. What he uncovers is darker than he imagined: a brutal human trafficking ring preying on Black and queer youth — hidden in plain sight. As he descends into Baltimore’s underworld, the mission becomes more than a rescue. It becomes a war for visibility, for justice, and for love in all its forms.