Tropes: age gap, mercenary/thief, hurt/comfort
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: toys, bit of exhibitionism, roadhead
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: child trafficking, past CSA of MC, lots of minor character victims, murder, gore, panic attacks, self-harm, horrible humans including priests/nuns, homelessness, poverty, dead ex
Ezra is 23. He is a past victim of trafficking and CSA. He managed to escape and has been living homeless since, an old addict saved him on the streets and has been basically a father figure since - Jakey. He steals very well. He's caught the attention of a crimelord who wants to use his stealthy services to steal back a hard drive. He's threatened Jakey if he doesn't succeed.
Cain is 35. He's a former military man working as a mercenary, he owns his own company. He's in possession of the hard drive. He meets Ezra when Ezra attempts to steal the hard drive. Ezra fails to steal it, and is taken in for questioning, and ends up under his protection. Cain treats Ezra different from the very first moment they meet then he would any other suspect. He would have shot first with anyone else but he's whipped, left heart and mind stuttering over Ezra. He pulls Ezra closer and closer as he learns more about his past and trusts Ezra more and wants to protect him more.
They work together to take down the crimelord and take down the trafficking ring he's part of.
This was a good book. Cain and Ezra were both complex characters and you really felt for the both of them. There was a lot going on with the plot, a lot of suspense. The chemistry and emotion between Cain and Ezra was intense. Ezra was very traumatized and triggered at times and had panic attacks. It was tough to read but he was so supported and cared for. I really liked Ezra as a character. He was vulnerable but a fighter, he was smart and wiley, he had good survival instincts, he was bratty and cocky at times, he was hyperactive, he had a good heart. I loved how protective Cain was, I loved the clothes sharing, the bed sharing, how Cain always found Ezra when he was breaking down and just held him, the "you are my home" dynamic.
Some notable moments:
Cute, Cain's first reaction to seeing Ezra "My eyes scan over the heads of people typing away, coming to rest on a pretty face that tilts my world on its axis for a few slow breaths. He tips his head up at me in curiosity, and it’s like a higher being sank a fishing hook in my cheek, lurching me to a halt to have me questioning my entire purpose. I think the answers to the universe might be hidden in the beautiful depths of his hazel eyes."
"“Oh my god. Who came up with this? They deserve… shit, they deserve a medal.” I moan as he thrusts his tongue in and out. “If we would all just… Jesus, if everyone ate ass, we’d have world peace.”"
"Rev pinches my cheek. “Cain tried convincing me that you’re too much of a brat to fit in on my team, but you take orders exceptionally well.” “I act up for Cain in hopes that it will result in sexual punishment.” Rev tips his head back and lets out a hearty laugh, striding away to collect his own gear."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.