Out of the Ashes: A Metahuman Files: Classified Novella, Hailey Turner

Caught between love and guilt, Sean is struggling in his recovery process.  Alexei only wants to love Sean but it's getting harder and harder to watch him pull away each time he tries to express that love.  What are two men to do when trauma threatens to smother their affection?

Sean and Alexei were captured by someone from Sean's past and their torture was horrific.  Even worse, their torturer put Sean in a position so severe that he wouldn't dare speak for days after their rescue.  Feeling responsible for Alexei's capture, torture, and pain he feels he doesn't deserve his love or the privilege of touching him.  Their previous warmth and expression of passion and tenderness is all but gone with Sean continuing to freeze and pull away.  He hates it.  He wants Alexei so much but what can he do when he won't allow himself the pleasure and comfort of Alexei's embrace?

Alexei loves Sean deeply.  It's getting more and more difficult to see him struggle.  He would never leave but it's clear that they're reaching some kind of breaking point.  And with both of them cleared for active duty, they'll be put through all kinds of tests.

Their mission throws them into situations that would have been a breeze before but both of these men are aware of internal changes that are altering how they do their job.  When mayhem ensues we find out if Sean will triumph or if he'll break.

Oh, and Melanie is a beyotch.  Pretty sure we're not done hearing from her but I'll be thrilled if we are.

I'm absolutely in love with these men.  Alexei is so patient and loving and still so very sexy and badass.  Sean is torturing himself beyond what's necessary and it's completely understandable.  My heart aches for him as he struggles to move forward, beyond their mutual pain, and into the belief that no one he loves or trusts holds him accountable for a madman's actions.  The sequence of events in this story is exactly what these characters needed to move forward.  Sean was stuck in a self-defeating rut, Alexei was mired in Sean's grief.  The mission they went on forced Sean to face fears, desires, and shock him into embracing what was his all along.  With their new peace in who and what they are themselves and to one another we get to see Sean fully embrace everything Alexei and their relationship offers.  It also opens the door for a new position on the team.  I cannot tell you how excited I am for the next book in the series!!!

*$2.99 on Amazon!

*Meet Sean in In the Shadows

where he and Alexei meet in explosive ways...

Take a chance.

Staff Sergeant Alexei Dvorkin doesn’t trust easily, and he most certainly doesn’t trust spies. He’ll work with them if ordered to, but that doesn’t mean he has to like it. Except Agent Sean Delaney is proving to be the exception to the rule. There’s something about Sean that gets under Alexei’s skin and won’t let go. Alexei would be lying if he said he wasn’t interested in what lay beneath the agent’s mask. When they’re assigned together for a mission, Alexei vows to keep Sean safe all while trying to coax the hot agent into his bed.

Hold onto hope.

Agent Sean Delaney has spent his entire adult life living a lie for his country. When the MDF tasks him with finding evidence of criminal wrong-doing against the owner of a private military company, Sean knows exactly how to play the game to get what he wants. He just doesn’t know how to handle Alexei’s advances, nor his own attraction to the younger soldier. Being a spy is lonely work, and Sean knows he should keep his distance, but saying no to Alexei is impossible from the moment they first kiss.

In a world of lies, the truth can be deadly.

When the mission takes a turn for the worse, the only thing left to do is run. In the wake of betrayal, and in the path of danger, can their fragile trust survive the battle?