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War doesn't forge heroes, it reveals them.
An operator at the top of his game.
Former Delta Force Operator Talon McKinley knows the wilderness like the back of his hand—how to hunt, how to survive, how to kill. But when his solo re-qualification challenge turns into a real-world nightmare, he stumbles upon something far more dangerous than wild terrain. A group of ruthless men are playing the most twisted game of hunting humans. And their next target? A fierce, determined woman who refuses to be broken.
She was never supposed to make it out alive.
Petra Keller thought she was taking a temporary job. She never expected to be drugged, abducted, and thrown into the middle of a kill zone. Alone, unarmed, and relentlessly pursued, she refuses to go down without a fight. When a battle-hardened warrior crashes into her nightmare, Petra isn’t sure if she can trust him—but he might be the only thing standing between her and certain death.
One mission. No surrender. Nowhere to hide.
Survival forces them together, but something far more dangerous ignites between them. Every brush of skin and every whispered breath in the dark pulls them closer—a need as fierce as the war raging around them. Talon has always been a man in control, but Petra pushes every limit. And walking away from her? That might be the one battle he can’t win.
The hunt is over, but the fire between them is just beginning.
Explosive action, heart-pounding suspense, and scorching chemistry collide in this high-stakes, high-heat protector romance. Strap in—this one’s a bullet train of adrenaline and passion.
Survival brought them together. But what happens when the hunt is over?
A high-octane romantic suspense A fiercely determined heroine who refuses to breakA lethal special forces operator with nothing left to loseExplosive chemistry that defies all reasonEdge-of-your-seat action with no way outA connection forged in chaos, tested by fireProtective instincts that cross the line into obsessionA love that refuses to surrender Content This book contains themes of abduction, violence, PTSD, and steamy scenes. Recommended for mature readers who like their romance lethal, unfiltered, and impossible to walk away from.
An operator at the top of his game.
Former Delta Force Operator Talon McKinley knows the wilderness like the back of his hand—how to hunt, how to survive, how to kill. But when his solo re-qualification challenge turns into a real-world nightmare, he stumbles upon something far more dangerous than wild terrain. A group of ruthless men are playing the most twisted game of hunting humans. And their next target? A fierce, determined woman who refuses to be broken.
She was never supposed to make it out alive.
Petra Keller thought she was taking a temporary job. She never expected to be drugged, abducted, and thrown into the middle of a kill zone. Alone, unarmed, and relentlessly pursued, she refuses to go down without a fight. When a battle-hardened warrior crashes into her nightmare, Petra isn’t sure if she can trust him—but he might be the only thing standing between her and certain death.
One mission. No surrender. Nowhere to hide.
Survival forces them together, but something far more dangerous ignites between them. Every brush of skin and every whispered breath in the dark pulls them closer—a need as fierce as the war raging around them. Talon has always been a man in control, but Petra pushes every limit. And walking away from her? That might be the one battle he can’t win.
The hunt is over, but the fire between them is just beginning.
Explosive action, heart-pounding suspense, and scorching chemistry collide in this high-stakes, high-heat protector romance. Strap in—this one’s a bullet train of adrenaline and passion.
Survival brought them together. But what happens when the hunt is over?
A high-octane romantic suspense A fiercely determined heroine who refuses to breakA lethal special forces operator with nothing left to loseExplosive chemistry that defies all reasonEdge-of-your-seat action with no way outA connection forged in chaos, tested by fireProtective instincts that cross the line into obsessionA love that refuses to surrender Content This book contains themes of abduction, violence, PTSD, and steamy scenes. Recommended for mature readers who like their romance lethal, unfiltered, and impossible to walk away from.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
208 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Bella Stone
26 books176 followersBella Stone is the MF Pen name for Annabella Stone, all books published under this name are MF/MMF.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 2, 2025
And the final X is an ex no more!
And the final X is an ex no more!
While on a solo recon, Talon literally stumbles into a horrific situation. Petra, our heroine, is being hunted for sport. Yup. Sport. Like an animal. Thru the snow. She is wounded, half frozen, but fighting like a warrior princess!
Talon rescues her and the race is on to find the reason behind her abduction and why someone is desperate to eliminate her.
I don’t like to give spoilers. But this one hit me in the feels. Talon was feeling so guilty over a perceived screw up that almost got Colt and Siobhan killed in the last book. He needed the time to reset and prove he wasn’t the screwup little brother.
Petra has the strongest survival instinct I have seen in a female lead in a while. Doesn’t flinch when the world is exploding around her, literally. Demands to be taught to defend herself. Doesn’t back down from any of the situations she encounters.
When they come together to defeat the bad guy, the action is non stop, the plot line is epic, the characters are as always just amazing. Ember steals the show and I swear she will be running the company by the time she is a teenager.
And then there is Zombie. I just can’t. He is perhaps my absolute favorite character in this series. He knows exactly what Talon and Petra need, even before they do! He is steadfast and loyal. Always vigilant. Always there when they need him.
Another fabulous addition to the world of Bella Stone! 15/10 recommend!
And the final X is an ex no more!
While on a solo recon, Talon literally stumbles into a horrific situation. Petra, our heroine, is being hunted for sport. Yup. Sport. Like an animal. Thru the snow. She is wounded, half frozen, but fighting like a warrior princess!
Talon rescues her and the race is on to find the reason behind her abduction and why someone is desperate to eliminate her.
I don’t like to give spoilers. But this one hit me in the feels. Talon was feeling so guilty over a perceived screw up that almost got Colt and Siobhan killed in the last book. He needed the time to reset and prove he wasn’t the screwup little brother.
Petra has the strongest survival instinct I have seen in a female lead in a while. Doesn’t flinch when the world is exploding around her, literally. Demands to be taught to defend herself. Doesn’t back down from any of the situations she encounters.
When they come together to defeat the bad guy, the action is non stop, the plot line is epic, the characters are as always just amazing. Ember steals the show and I swear she will be running the company by the time she is a teenager.
And then there is Zombie. I just can’t. He is perhaps my absolute favorite character in this series. He knows exactly what Talon and Petra need, even before they do! He is steadfast and loyal. Always vigilant. Always there when they need him.
Another fabulous addition to the world of Bella Stone! 15/10 recommend!
May 2, 2025
Bella Stone really knows how to write a scene that will put you on the edge of your seat, have you holding your breath in anticipation of what comes next and keep your adrenaline pumping as things play out. Both the beginning and end of Talon are tension filled with fast paced, hard driving action; danger; and suspense. The team tactics, strategies and execution are so finely depicted you feel that you are in the midst of it all. I couldn’t put this book down until I read the very last word. Fantastic!
Talon McKinley needs to get his head in straight after what he perceives as an almost fatal error on his part during an operation. A solo mission in the frigid wilds of Finland may do the trick. What he couldn't have planned for was finding a beaten, barefoot woman running through the wilderness trying to avoid capture. Petra Keller refuses to be a victim and fights with everything in her even the the odds are clearly not in her favor. Being rescued and protected by a lone stranger was not how she expected her current predicament to play out. Talon is in awe of Petra as he watches her refusing to stop, to give in or give up. She is every bit a warrior princess. There's something about her that just clicks. They find that missing piece in each other and despite their lives being in constant danger love blooms. Taking down those who keep trying to harm Petra becomes an all consuming task for the Four X's team. Failure is not an option.
Talon McKinley needs to get his head in straight after what he perceives as an almost fatal error on his part during an operation. A solo mission in the frigid wilds of Finland may do the trick. What he couldn't have planned for was finding a beaten, barefoot woman running through the wilderness trying to avoid capture. Petra Keller refuses to be a victim and fights with everything in her even the the odds are clearly not in her favor. Being rescued and protected by a lone stranger was not how she expected her current predicament to play out. Talon is in awe of Petra as he watches her refusing to stop, to give in or give up. She is every bit a warrior princess. There's something about her that just clicks. They find that missing piece in each other and despite their lives being in constant danger love blooms. Taking down those who keep trying to harm Petra becomes an all consuming task for the Four X's team. Failure is not an option.
May 7, 2025
The next X bites the dust.
I love Bella Stone's MF series, she writes very strong female characters who can stand on their own but also can lean and accept that they are not alone.
When Talon got into his head that he failed in a mission he decides to take the ultimate challenge to prove to himself he is still able to do his work. Battling nature in Finland all on his own in winter seems to be a good idea.
Rescuing a woman on the run wasn't in the mission debrief though.
I love how Talon immediately goes in protector mode and his admiration of Petra's strength and determindation. There is nothing where he puts her down and he acklowledges her right to be part of all and learn why and especially who is responsible for her kidnapping.
These two have plenty of chemistry.
Petra is strong, there is a bit missing about her background which I felt could have added to the story, she is a bit of a mystery.
She is definitley not a wallflower, being on her own means embracing the Four X family can be difficult and I love the "family dinner" surprise but she pushes back where necessary and welcomes the new group of family she gets.
Zombie, Talon's K9, is just the icing of the cake.
While the four brothers have now realised that there are the right women for them out there, there are still plenty of other guys. I can't wait for the next book.
I love Bella Stone's MF series, she writes very strong female characters who can stand on their own but also can lean and accept that they are not alone.
When Talon got into his head that he failed in a mission he decides to take the ultimate challenge to prove to himself he is still able to do his work. Battling nature in Finland all on his own in winter seems to be a good idea.
Rescuing a woman on the run wasn't in the mission debrief though.
I love how Talon immediately goes in protector mode and his admiration of Petra's strength and determindation. There is nothing where he puts her down and he acklowledges her right to be part of all and learn why and especially who is responsible for her kidnapping.
These two have plenty of chemistry.
Petra is strong, there is a bit missing about her background which I felt could have added to the story, she is a bit of a mystery.
She is definitley not a wallflower, being on her own means embracing the Four X family can be difficult and I love the "family dinner" surprise but she pushes back where necessary and welcomes the new group of family she gets.
Zombie, Talon's K9, is just the icing of the cake.
While the four brothers have now realised that there are the right women for them out there, there are still plenty of other guys. I can't wait for the next book.
May 21, 2025
Their story has an explosive start… Talon and Petra.
She gets abducted outside her job and left in the middle of nowhere… They wanted to make her run, to hunt her.
He stumbles upon her and immediately recognizes this sick game. They weren’t chasing her; they were hunting her. From the moment she realizes he’s not a threat, together, they will fight to escape, survive. And connect…
“You are not alone in this. I’ve got you. We’re going to burn whoever did this to the ground.”
I loved their story. It’s explosive, emotional and it kept me turning page after page because their HEA seemed almost impossible. I love how Zombie (Talon’s K9) is the one constant in Talon’s life and how he lets Petra in it… a second chance to happiness.
“She dropped to her knees and caught the dog in a fierce hug, burying her face in his fur. Her body language screamed with emotion Talon didn’t know how to name but recognized. Relief. Fear. Joy…”.
There’s family that will always have your back, no matter what. Then, there’s found family. Lots of coffee and so much banter. And of course, Bella’s unmistakable writing genius…
“We’re bugging out in ten.”
“We’re doing what with bugs?”
“We’re leaving in ten minutes….”
“Talon” is book 4 in The Four X’s Group series. It can be read as a standalone but you will enjoy it even more if you’ve first read the previous books and get to know the McKinley Family from the start.
Thank you, Bella for another amazing read!
“See you when I see you.”
She gets abducted outside her job and left in the middle of nowhere… They wanted to make her run, to hunt her.
He stumbles upon her and immediately recognizes this sick game. They weren’t chasing her; they were hunting her. From the moment she realizes he’s not a threat, together, they will fight to escape, survive. And connect…
“You are not alone in this. I’ve got you. We’re going to burn whoever did this to the ground.”
I loved their story. It’s explosive, emotional and it kept me turning page after page because their HEA seemed almost impossible. I love how Zombie (Talon’s K9) is the one constant in Talon’s life and how he lets Petra in it… a second chance to happiness.
“She dropped to her knees and caught the dog in a fierce hug, burying her face in his fur. Her body language screamed with emotion Talon didn’t know how to name but recognized. Relief. Fear. Joy…”.
There’s family that will always have your back, no matter what. Then, there’s found family. Lots of coffee and so much banter. And of course, Bella’s unmistakable writing genius…
“We’re bugging out in ten.”
“We’re doing what with bugs?”
“We’re leaving in ten minutes….”
“Talon” is book 4 in The Four X’s Group series. It can be read as a standalone but you will enjoy it even more if you’ve first read the previous books and get to know the McKinley Family from the start.
Thank you, Bella for another amazing read!
“See you when I see you.”
May 24, 2025
TALON
A scarred and battle wear Delta Force operator, not sure he wants to stay in the game. Encouraged to take his requalification by his commanding officer he is dropped off deep in the wilderness in Finland. Well ahead of schedule to reach his next checkpoint, he comes across the unthinkable, a group of men hunting a woman. Barely clothed, barefoot, beaten and bleeding, she drags herself through the snow, not giving up. After dispatching her tormentors, he starts toward his checkpoint with her in tow until another armed group is headed their way, driven to capture her by a ruthless man she has snubbed. Talon and his three brothers, all former special forces, are now the only thing standing in his way. And Talon knows she is his and will forever protect her. From their sanctuary headquarters in Le Spezia the four brothers and Gunner’s computer genius wife Jorgia, use everything in their arsenal to stop the darkness coming for Petra.
Talon is The Four X's Group: La Spezia Book 4 and I think it is the best of the series. Heart pounding action in the Italian countryside from a woman who knows SpecOps and writes it so well.
A scarred and battle wear Delta Force operator, not sure he wants to stay in the game. Encouraged to take his requalification by his commanding officer he is dropped off deep in the wilderness in Finland. Well ahead of schedule to reach his next checkpoint, he comes across the unthinkable, a group of men hunting a woman. Barely clothed, barefoot, beaten and bleeding, she drags herself through the snow, not giving up. After dispatching her tormentors, he starts toward his checkpoint with her in tow until another armed group is headed their way, driven to capture her by a ruthless man she has snubbed. Talon and his three brothers, all former special forces, are now the only thing standing in his way. And Talon knows she is his and will forever protect her. From their sanctuary headquarters in Le Spezia the four brothers and Gunner’s computer genius wife Jorgia, use everything in their arsenal to stop the darkness coming for Petra.
Talon is The Four X's Group: La Spezia Book 4 and I think it is the best of the series. Heart pounding action in the Italian countryside from a woman who knows SpecOps and writes it so well.
January 11, 2026
This must be one of the best series I have read in a long time. This is another high-energy, heart in your mouth, action-packed story, another love story and lots of sex.
Talon ‘Lego’ McKinley is having doubts about his place within The XXXX’s Group. To test his abilities, he decides to take a mission in Finland, alone. Not even his faithful sidekick Zombie was going with him. Unsurprisingly, things go sideways for Talon whilst he’s there, when he comes across some hunters. They’re not you average hunters either, they’re hunting a woman. When Talon first sees her, she is doing her best just to stay alive. Thankfully, ignoring his wishes, his brothers have his back and are watching him on cameras. So, when he makes their lifelong distress signal, his brother Remi is there in the war room to organise a team to go get him. Within hours the brothers and Zombie are by his side. Unfortunately, this is not the only scrape they get into as it becomes apparent that the woman has a bounty on her head and the hunters won’t stop until they have her.
Talon ‘Lego’ McKinley is having doubts about his place within The XXXX’s Group. To test his abilities, he decides to take a mission in Finland, alone. Not even his faithful sidekick Zombie was going with him. Unsurprisingly, things go sideways for Talon whilst he’s there, when he comes across some hunters. They’re not you average hunters either, they’re hunting a woman. When Talon first sees her, she is doing her best just to stay alive. Thankfully, ignoring his wishes, his brothers have his back and are watching him on cameras. So, when he makes their lifelong distress signal, his brother Remi is there in the war room to organise a team to go get him. Within hours the brothers and Zombie are by his side. Unfortunately, this is not the only scrape they get into as it becomes apparent that the woman has a bounty on her head and the hunters won’t stop until they have her.
May 5, 2025
Boy o boy! The start of this story I don't think I breathed at all, I felt the panic, pain, fear and the intense need to fight to survive despite the odds. The cold, cuts, bruises, all of it so powerful it was hard to see a way out. The characters were fantastic separately and together, I loved them. Talon struggling and needing to prove himself to himself and Petra just trying to live, she was already strong and fighting for that before all this. As the plot developed and twisted, it became so much more than me reading a book, it became important that these people survived and got their happy ending. That Petra got her family and she was no longer alone. I love this author and she has written many a book that has totally consumed me some more than others by just a tiny margin, this one goes right up to the top. Worth more than a five star.
May 9, 2025
This one was just ok for me. I had lots of issues with this book. I have no idea what Petra looked like. There might have been a passing note of a hair or eye color, but never once was she described to the reader. You also don’t know what her nationality is, where she’s from or much else for that matter. About the only thing the reader knows for certain is that she’s a fighter. There was a passing mention of family issues, but it’s brought up once, then never again. It just seemed like so much more could have been written about Petra. The plot was a good one and I enjoyed the suspense part of the book. But again, the bad guy wasn’t very well developed. He felt like such an afterthought. Maybe it’s just me - I hope you will give this book in the series a chance. I will definitely read the next book.
May 5, 2025
The last McKinley brother is single. However, maybe he is the book boyfriend we did not know we wanted? Bella gives us another book boyfriend to drool over. Currently working on my passport and booking my flight. Just saying. Talon and his woofer zombie are a dynamic duo that make you fall in love with gradually. Who am I kidding I have been in love with Zombie.
Anyhoo, Talon believes he has lost his edge as an operator. So he takes a solo mission to prove he can be am operator. Far from his brothers and back up he may met his match. Petra, has been stolen off the street but has a will to live like no other. Can love begin with a mear death experience? Also if they are rescued is the danger over?
Grab s fuzzy blanket, wine, or coffee and be ready to be transported to Italy.
Anyhoo, Talon believes he has lost his edge as an operator. So he takes a solo mission to prove he can be am operator. Far from his brothers and back up he may met his match. Petra, has been stolen off the street but has a will to live like no other. Can love begin with a mear death experience? Also if they are rescued is the danger over?
Grab s fuzzy blanket, wine, or coffee and be ready to be transported to Italy.
June 12, 2025
Petra and Talon
Hope there’s a special place in hell for people who think they have the right to hunt other humans and sell them as commodities.
Talon is quick to see that Petra is in deep trouble as she is being hunted in the wilderness. He’s all in when it comes to protecting her and eliminating the men after her.
So many things did not make sense in the story. She is barefoot running through up to a foot of snow with no coat. When Talon finds her they keep running — but suddenly she has boots on?? And he never “treats” her for frostbite?? Her injuries are described as trivial.
So many moments like this. He lives in a house but it’s later called an apartment. And they are constantly touching their foreheads together.
Don’t feel compelled to keep reading the series.
Hope there’s a special place in hell for people who think they have the right to hunt other humans and sell them as commodities.
Talon is quick to see that Petra is in deep trouble as she is being hunted in the wilderness. He’s all in when it comes to protecting her and eliminating the men after her.
So many things did not make sense in the story. She is barefoot running through up to a foot of snow with no coat. When Talon finds her they keep running — but suddenly she has boots on?? And he never “treats” her for frostbite?? Her injuries are described as trivial.
So many moments like this. He lives in a house but it’s later called an apartment. And they are constantly touching their foreheads together.
Don’t feel compelled to keep reading the series.
May 22, 2025
Rage and love lent her their strength when her body had none left to give.
Looked forward to Talons story, and this did not disappoint. Seeing two lost souls come together in fire forged from the strength they found together.
Truly a story that will keep you turning pages to know what's next.
Looked forward to Talons story, and this did not disappoint. Seeing two lost souls come together in fire forged from the strength they found together.
Truly a story that will keep you turning pages to know what's next.
May 2, 2025
Talon and Petra are so wonderful together. From the 1st page to the last!
Annabelle you did it again. You captured our imagination with the adventure and romance within the story. I love this whole series and can't wait for the next one. 😺💜🔥🎉
Annabelle you did it again. You captured our imagination with the adventure and romance within the story. I love this whole series and can't wait for the next one. 😺💜🔥🎉
May 2, 2025
Part of a series. Initial premise good, engaging characters. A little too repetitive when talking about feelings, but overall a good book. I really wanted to give a favored author 5/5, but just a shade off from all her other books.
May 4, 2025
Amazing thriller and love story
This was the fourth book in the series. It was just as wonderful as the others. This one had some thrillers. Talon saved Petra from evil. They got the bad guy and he got his new live.
This was the fourth book in the series. It was just as wonderful as the others. This one had some thrillers. Talon saved Petra from evil. They got the bad guy and he got his new live.
May 7, 2025
emotional read
Bella Stone has done it again. Talon and Petra’s story is filled with a growing love between the two, dangerous situations and of course Zombie. The four x’s is a great series and I highly recommend this book.
Bella Stone has done it again. Talon and Petra’s story is filled with a growing love between the two, dangerous situations and of course Zombie. The four x’s is a great series and I highly recommend this book.
May 10, 2025
Not for the weak of heart
Talon and Petra’s love story was one that I wasn’t sure my heart would survive, but every word was worth it. Two warriors whose hearts were the strongest pieces of them. So. Damn. Good.
Talon and Petra’s love story was one that I wasn’t sure my heart would survive, but every word was worth it. Two warriors whose hearts were the strongest pieces of them. So. Damn. Good.
July 13, 2025
WOW!!!!
This story and series are amazing. I love Talon, Petra and Zombie’s story. It’s one of danger, survival, trust and love and family who stop at nothing to save the world and each other. This series rocks!!
This story and series are amazing. I love Talon, Petra and Zombie’s story. It’s one of danger, survival, trust and love and family who stop at nothing to save the world and each other. This series rocks!!
May 2, 2025
My rating: 5 stars
May 5, 2025
I enjoyed the book; it brought all the feels, like Bella Stone's other books.
I won't spoil it for other readers, but you must check it out.
I won't spoil it for other readers, but you must check it out.
May 6, 2025
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. I can't wait for the next four x s book to come out . I want updates on all the family. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. I can't wait for the next four x s book to come out . I want updates on all the family. Thank you
June 29, 2025
❤️❤️❤️
July 5, 2025
Loved it.
December 8, 2025
I would give this book way more than 5 stars if I could - yes - it was that good. Not only did Bella Stone once again give her readers a swoon worthy storyline she leaves them on the edge of their seat from the opening pages to the very last one. Filled with high emotions, high drama and just the right amount of mayhem and angst, Petra and Talon's story just might be the best one of the series. Phenomenal!!
*** This audiobook deserves more than 5 Stars!! The character's emotions could be felt with every chapter that was perfectly narrated. Once you start listening you wil not want to stop.***
*** This audiobook deserves more than 5 Stars!! The character's emotions could be felt with every chapter that was perfectly narrated. Once you start listening you wil not want to stop.***
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews