This book kinda sorta reminds me of the movie columbiana. It definitely has a bad a.. FMC, Alicia “Ace”. It has an MMC, Cree, who is a good cop who just wants to help & protect the woman he cares about. 
We meet meet Alicia in Ante up & she definitely gives off suspense vibes, don’t mess with me vibes, bad b..ch vibes, etc. We also meet Cree in Ante up & he’s a police officer & is attracted to Alicia & picks up on the fact that she’s so tough & hard because at some point in life she had to be & that’s why he doesn’t back down from her & one of the things he likes about her. Basically this book is based on things that happened to Alicia prior to her being “rescued” by the Whitefields. 
If you like action movies/books this is definitely for you. This book does have spice too, FYI but it is more action in my opinion.