The Strongbox Chronicles Series by C.E. Murphy, Cate Dermody

Somewhere in Italy, a powerful and secretive organization was creating an army of weaponized robots. The goal? To "persuade" the world that their vision of the future was the right one. And agent Alisha MacAleer had the job of infiltrating them while defending herself from a robot that had targeted her. Worse, the mission and Alisha's life soon hinged on three choices that only she could make: Alisha had to decide if her ex-lover turned mercenary was telling the truth this time... moreSomewhere in Italy, a powerful and secretive organization was creating an army of weaponized robots. The goal? To "persuade" the world that their vision of the future was the right one. And agent Alisha MacAleer had the job of infiltrating them while defending herself from a robot that had targeted her. Worse, the mission and Alisha's life soon hinged on three choices that only she could make: Alisha had to decide if her ex-lover turned mercenary was telling the truth this time. She had to learn if her boss's son was a double agent for or against the U.S.--and whether she'd been betrayed by the people she trusted most. Yeah, just an average day in this spy's world.... less

When CIA Agent Alisha MacAleer's cover is blown by ex-lover Frank Reichart, she's forced into a spy game that draws a curtain back on a world she never even suspected existed… The clandestine Sicarii have hired Brandon Parker, the brilliant, estranged son of Alisha's handler, to develop an artificial intelligence capable of enforcing their divine right to rule. No one, not even Brandon's father, imagines he can do it—not until Alisha herself faces one of the AI's battle drones in combat... moreWhen CIA Agent Alisha MacAleer's cover is blown by ex-lover Frank Reichart, she's forced into a spy game that draws a curtain back on a world she never even suspected existed… The clandestine Sicarii have hired Brandon Parker, the brilliant, estranged son of Alisha's handler, to develop an artificial intelligence capable of enforcing their divine right to rule. No one, not even Brandon's father, imagines he can do it—not until Alisha herself faces one of the AI's battle drones in combat. It's suddenly a race between the CIA, the Sicarii, and Alisha's mercenary ex, to see who can keep—or steal—the AI for themselves. No matter which way Alisha turns, she faces new dangers and heartbreaking betrayals. In the end, she has no choice but to adhere to the cardinal rule… Trust no one but yourself. less

Agent Alisha MacAleer has put the past behind her as best she can, but her trust in the CIA is no longer what it was...and the Agency's faith in Alisha is fractured, too. When a mission goes sideways—again—thanks to her ex-lover Frank Reichart, Alisha's loyalties are called into question... moreAgent Alisha MacAleer has put the past behind her as best she can, but her trust in the CIA is no longer what it was...and the Agency's faith in Alisha is fractured, too. When a mission goes sideways—again—thanks to her ex-lover Frank Reichart, Alisha's loyalties are called into question. Furious to learn that brilliant but treacherous Brandon Parker is back developing the next generation of his sophisticated artificial intelligences, assigned to desk duty, and sure that there are answers that only she can get to, Alisha is left with an impossible choice. She can follow orders, or she can strike out on her own to uncover Brandon's intentions, Reichart's secrets, and the hidden mastermind behind the game she's been drawn into—a mastermind whose identity she suspects, but could never guess. With no support, no resources, and no safety net, Alisha must believe that honor can survive a trial by fire…. less

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SIMPLE. GET IN, GET THE GOODS, GET OUT. YET WHAT SHOULD BE SIMPLE ALMOST NEVER WAS... Once more Alisha MacAleer was racing around Europe, this time searching for the black box from a downed aircraft. Yet for the first time as a CIA agent, she doubted her work--and her superiors. Too many people were able to trace her movements... moreIT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SIMPLE. GET IN, GET THE GOODS, GET OUT. YET WHAT SHOULD BE SIMPLE ALMOST NEVER WAS... Once more Alisha MacAleer was racing around Europe, this time searching for the black box from a downed aircraft. Yet for the first time as a CIA agent, she doubted her work--and her superiors. Too many people were able to trace her movements. Was there a double--or triple?--agent in the CIA? How else could the dangerous, almost mythical group known as the Sicarii have targeted her? The worst problem? She'd discovered the only person she could rely on was the man who'd once broken her heart--by shooting her in the back.... less

All former spy Alisha MacAleer wanted was to lead a normal life, complete with settling down near her family. Then a hail of gunfire followed CIA agent Brandon Parker's arrival on her doorstep. He'd done the impossible: created an AI, a sentient being with artificial intelligence. The U.S. government and two powerful secret societies--hell, even Europe's top underworld figure--all wanted it. And Brandon's arrival made Alisha the last obstacle between them and the AI... moreAll former spy Alisha MacAleer wanted was to lead a normal life, complete with settling down near her family. Then a hail of gunfire followed CIA agent Brandon Parker's arrival on her doorstep. He'd done the impossible: created an AI, a sentient being with artificial intelligence. The U.S. government and two powerful secret societies--hell, even Europe's top underworld figure--all wanted it. And Brandon's arrival made Alisha the last obstacle between them and the AI. The one person who could help had betrayed her years ago. Yet with the exasperating and elusive Frank Reichart on her side, Alisha might have a chance. If Alisha could use him without giving him her trust, she might just make it through this final mission alive... . less