When the daughter of media titan James Gallo is kidnapped in Afghanistan, Gallo turns to his most powerful ally, the newly elected President of the United States. But even the president cannot help the Gallo family- at least not publicly.

One of Al-Qaeda's top operatives, Mustafa Khan, is being held inside the Kabul prison and the Taliban are willing to make a deal- Susan Gallo in exchange for Khan. There's just one problem. The newly elected president campaigned on absolutely no negotiating with terrorists. If he goes back on his word, both America and his presidency will be gravely damaged. Enter Scot Harvath.

In a bid for global dominance, an enemy of the United States has baited a brilliant hook. Harvath is offered the opportunity to deliver a crippling blow to Al Qaeda, but in doing so he may very well give rise to an even greater threat to America. His only hope is to singlehandedly outsmart one of the world's most ruthless intelligence organizations and beat their power hungry paymasters at their own game.