Maksim: Ghost Born MC

by T.O. Smith

He's the rival, but wanting him is inevitable.

Alfonzo

I've always lived by my own set of codes, and code number one in my book form no attachments.

But forming one with him was inevitable.

When Rico dropped Maksim Arsenyev's file onto my desk with orders to eliminate him, I wasn't surprised.

The Russians had been playing at our backdoor for too long, and while they were good friends with a local biker club Rico was in cahoots with, that didn't mean Rico would idly stand by and let the Russians continue to spread into our territory.

But when I lay eyes on Maksim in person for the first time...

I can't bring myself to pull the trigger.

I let him run.

A game of cat and mouse begins, but like Tom, I don't actually want to harm Jerry.

~*~*~

Maksim

The Bratva took me in when I was nothing more than a starving boy on the streets of Russia. Anatoly, the Pakhan, saved me, and Rurik, his best friend and consigliere, mostly raised me.

I owed them everything.

So, when I'm given orders to scope out one of Rico Martinez's properties, I do so without question.

But I'm not sneaky enough, and I'm spotted. My cover is blown.

When Rico's second in command, Alfonzo Aguado, appears in front of me like a ghost, I know it's over for me.

But he lets me go.

A game of cat and mouse begins, but somewhere in our little game, a third player slips in, and we're unaware until they almost take me out.

Now, I'm standing on the Martinez compound grounds, bleeding out, and begging Alfonzo to come out and help me.

And when he does... may God have mercy on whoever touched me.

Alfonzo is out for blood.

Characters in this book are featured in the Ghost Born MC series by T.O. Smith and Layne Daniels. Alfonzo is introduced in Rico by T.O. Smith.

**Please read the author's note at the beginning of the book before deciding to read. Thank you.

**Previously known as Slay Bells and Silent Nights.

Genres: M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers

About the author

T.O. Smith believes in one thing - a happily ever after.

Her books are fast-paced and dive straight into the romance and the action. She doesn't do extensively drawn out plots. Normally, within the first chapter, she's got you - hook, line, and sinker.

As a writer of various different genres of romance, a reader is almost guaranteed to find some kind of romance novel they'll enjoy on her page.

T.O. Smith can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and now even TikTok! She loves interacting with all of her readers, so follow her!

Reviews

[Lillyanna L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review: Maksim: Ghost Born MC by T.O. Smith
🏍️🩸🔥
A dark M/M MC romance centered around rivals, loyalty, and a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Maksim follows Alfonzo, a man bound by rules and orders, and Maksim, a Bratva soldier raised to give everything to his family. When Alfonzo is tasked with eliminating Maksim but can’t pull the trigger, their lives collide in ways neither of them expect. With MC connections, mafia tension, and constant danger, this story leans into enemies-to-lovers and morally gray choices.
🏍️🩸🔥
I’d give Maksim 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I felt a bit conflicted overall. I was really excited to read this one after seeing the author’s promotional posts and preview paragraphs, and while the premise had a lot of potential, the relationship between Alfonzo and Maksim developed too quickly for me. I enjoyed the darker tone and the tension of their opposing sides, but I wanted more buildup and emotional development to really believe in their connection. It wasn’t a bad read, it just didn’t fully hit the way I hoped it would.
🏍️🩸🔥

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maksim by T.O. Smith delivered exactly what I want in an MM mafia romance. Dark tension, off-the-charts chemistry, and that delicious enemies-to-lovers vibe.

Maksim is a low-level Bratva player ordered to take out Alfonzo — the second-in-command of a rival mafia. So yeah, they’re supposed to hate each other. And they do… right up until Maksim is nearly taken out by a sniper and Alfonzo refuses to let him die. From that moment, the dynamic shifts fast: revenge, loyalty, and protective obsession all tangled with attraction they can’t ignore.

It’s intense, emotional, and full of “touch him and die” energy, and the payoff is worth every minute. They fight hard for that HEA, and it lands perfectly.

If you love MM mafia romance where enemies become everything to each other, you’ll eat this one up.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is a soldier in the Russian Bratva, and has been given the task to take out the right hand of a rival family. His target is a big intimidating beast of a man who moves like a ghost and he knows there is no way he is a match for him, but he can’t say no to his Pakhan. During his surveillance, he draws the attention of the monster himself, only he is an angry he’s interested. He has never wanted to keep someone before, but when he finds the soldier targeting him, he knows there is no way he’s letting him go. There is some mafia family drama in this one as well as high tension and high heat. This is an MM romance so definitely sword crossing. This book is part of a series and while each couple has their own standalone story other characters from previous stories do pop up in this one and it will give you a better experience if you’ve read them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfonzo And Maksim
I’ve got to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and could not put it down.
Maksim had been ordered to take out Alfonso. Maksim was a low ranking Russian soldier and wasn’t equipped to take on the ghost that is Alfonso. The funny thing is Alfonso had been given a file on Maksim to take him out so when it was reported that Maksim was around compound. Alfonso went out and caught him. There was something instant between these two and Alfonso thought it would be good to let him go and make a cat and mouse game of capturing him. That’s all I’m gonna tell you, you have to read this book. It is so good. The attraction between these two men is off the chance and Alfonso will protect him like he is part of their team already. Thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed this Book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dogmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

They are definitely are not suppose to be together. And their bosses want them to take eachother out. Maksim is sent on a job he has no business doing but he is just following orders. As soon as Alfonzo seems him, he knows he is his. Maksim's boss finds out them and supposedly puts a hit on him so someone in the family takes him to a motel but he gets shot and the only place he thinks he will be safe is with Alfonzo. Somehow he makes it to him and Alfonzo goes all alpha and protector. Is he really safe....not until they find who shot him. Will the two families come together to figure it or is it someone closer?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gripping, dark read that I flew through. Alfonzo is dangerous, ruthless and exactly the kind of man you don’t want on your bad side — but there’s more to him than his reputation suggests. Watching his walls come down for Maksim was one of my favourite parts of the story.

The tension between them is intense from the start, and Maksim’s quiet strength and loyalty really balance Alfonzo’s brutality. Once things kick off, the stakes are high and Alfonzo’s protective side is fierce and unforgiving.

Gritty, emotional and full of morally grey characters, this was an engaging read that kept me hooked until the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfonso and Maksim were facing long odds. Alfonso is Ghost Born MC and Maksim is Bratva, and never the twain shall meet. In fact, they were each told to unalive the other. So it’s an ultimate enemies to lovers situation. Enemies until a third, shadowy player enters the game and Alfonso has to decide whether to help Maksim and follow his heart.
I liked that the tough Alfonso, with emotional walls higher than any skyscraper, fell hard for the gentler Maksim. It surprised both men, but the enemies to lovers trope is very popular for a reason. I didn’t find that it was made particularly fresh here, but the book was entertaining, so I felt it earned four stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maksim was taken in by the Balakin Bratva, when he was just a boy starving on the streets in mother Russia. He is just a soldier but Anatoly wants him to take out Rico Martinez's right hand man, Alfonzo Aguado, he is so out of his depth. He is spying the Martinez estate, when like a ghost, Alfonzo is there.

Alfonzo was supposed to take out Maksim but when he first sees him, he cannot pull the trigger. This starts a game of cat and mouse, that puts Maksim at the disadvantage.

When someone tries to take out Maksim, Alfonzo is about to burn it all down find the culprit. This is a dark and very steam read, if you have read some of the others in the series, you know what to expect.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Spice Fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfonzo’s turn!

I love these possessive, intense, feral, tough men Smith writes and their boys and how weak they are for them.

Another great MM addition to the series. As always I was pulled right in from the start and could barely put the book down.

Good storyline to go along with the spice. I’d wondered who was wandering around outside the compound in the prior book, and enjoyed how the two tasked with taking each other out went the complete other way.

Looking forward to Dr Allman next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the premise behind this story that two rival gangs are pitted against one another and each party is sent to unalive the other. But instead of meeting a gruesome end, they end up falling for one another. It's brutal and doesn't pull it's punches, but the love these two share is deep and so sweet. It also gets the Bratva, the MC and the Crime family all in the same room and civilly(ish) talking to one another. Love this series and all the rough and tough men and seeing how love can mellow them out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfonzo is sharpening his knife avoiding the paperwork his prez has given him to do. Then his prez walks in and tossed a file folder in front of him. He looks in it and is taken with the handsome Russian. His orders take him out.
Maksim has moved up in the ranks quickly. Now he is given a mission to take out Alfonzo. But no one knows much about him.
Then they meet. The biggest surprise is how they are drawn to each other. But they have their orders. Which will win: orders or date?
A fascinating story that knows how to build suspense without building suspense!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emma Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maksim is intense, gritty, and impossible to put down. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Alfonzo and Maksim is electric from their very first encounter, and the cat-and-mouse dynamic kept me hooked. Alfonzo’s struggle between duty and desire feels raw and believable, especially as his carefully built walls start to crack.

Dark, violent, and deeply passionate, Maksim is a powerful addition to the Ghost Born MC world and a must-read for fans of gritty MM romance with high stakes and fierce loyalty.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merilu Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfonzo and Maksim are electric!! T O Smith continues to build the Ghost Born MC world with dangerous men who find their own addictive partners. I loved the chemistry between them, Alfonzo’s possessiveness, and Maksim’s submission. They are enemies, but it doesn’t matter! Their story is full of emotion, intensity, passion, and love that really means family! I devour each book and just want more of these characters!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reba Densley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love T.O.'s books. I have read all of them and I love them.

Alfonzo is morally grey. If you hear his name, you should run the other way as fast as you can. He's the ghost that you never want to run into. But he's got a side that no one gets to see except for one....

Maksim is used to staying on the safer side of the Bratva. He knows his limits. He's sweet and brings out Alfonzo's humanity.

And everyone knows not to mess with Alfonzo's boy unless they wanna deal with Alfonzo.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Ghost Born MC series. Please check your triggers. The biker and the mafia man he's supposed to eliminate.

The characters were so very dark and complex and complicated and perfect together. Plot was intriguing and exciting and action packed and fast paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tense enemies-to-lovers mafia romance where loyalty, duty, and desire collide.

When assassin Alfonzo is ordered to kill Bratva operative Maksim he can’t pull the trigger, a dangerous game of cat and mouse turns into something far more personal. As enemies close in and betrayal surfaces, protecting each other may cost them everything.

Entertaining storylines.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story. We follow Alphonzo and Maksim. They've both been sent to kill the other, but from the very first moment, they have a chemistry and attraction to each other, which makes it difficult for them both to carry out their tasks. It was fun to read their story and discover what they do to fulfill their mission, or whether they choose each other.


I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maksim and Alfonzo story has all the drama that takes the MC and Bratva relationship to another level. They were enemies tasked to take each other out, but when emotions factor in they discover something unexpected. Will they find their HEA with all the drama and danger surrounding them? One click to find out in this newest release that doesn’t disappoint.

[Jennifer D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweetly messed up🥰😍…. Even the crazy ones need their other halves. It seems a little crazy to say this book was really sweet…. Given the amount of blood…. But There you go…. When a psychotic enforcer finds his boy…. Nothing will stop him from keeping him!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Escape to the pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the unapologetic nature of these books and how wonderfully unhinged the characters all are

Dark and yet deeply romantic in some ways, another story to add to this series and Maksim and Alfonso get their story now.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfonzo and Maksim have been sent to eliminate one another. Fortunately for them, chemistry had other plans. Poor Alfonzo was so protective of his love, he couldn't think straight. Dragging out the inevitable, they needed to come up with a plan. Until then, the chase was on.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maksim is a nice dark read about two men who are supposed to get rid of each other find that they have such chemistry. Alfonzo is supposed to take out Maksim, but when he sees him for the first time he finds that that is not all he wants to do. What happens when someone else targets Maksim, it makes Alfonzo see red.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfonzo and Maksim are told by their respected families to eliminate each other. Maksim knows he doesn't have a chance against Alfonzo and Alfonzo enjoys playing cat and mouse with him. When Alfonzo gets to know Maksim he knows he doesn't want to kill him he wants to make him his and will do anything to protect him. I really enjoyed this book.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maksim and Alphonzo are amazing characters, There is practically instant attraction between them which would be OK except they are meant to kill each other. I loved reading their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maksim is tasked with staking out a rival in Alfonzo, whose been tasked to end Maksim, only when Maksim is nearly hit its Alfonzo who strives to keep him alive and now neither can dent the sizzling attraction between them. Well written engaging steamy dark themes MM romance

[Sherry Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a very good book.

The story had a good flow and was well written.

The main couple had very romantic chemistry between them.

I would recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful addition to the Ghost Born MC, I love each book in the series, This is Maksim and Alfonzo story. It doesn't disappoint at all, I couldn't put it down,.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author created a captivating story with plenty of drama, emotion and turmoil that were all woven together perfectly. The tension ran high. The drama was spot on. The intensity believable and realistic.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is something like star cross. These characters are on opposing sides of a mob war and one is told to take out the other- who’s a ghost. This turns into a cat and mouse scenario.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfonzo and Maksim are rivals, shouldn't be together, Yet, there is an attraction they can't ignore, even as they start their game of cat and mouse amidst the danger. Hot and steamy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.