Dead Reckoning

by Maia Dylan

Chris “Ace” Hogan has always trusted his instincts, but the one man who can shake them—Kai Kealoha—has vanished into shadows darker than any mission Hogan has faced. When fragments of memory and scars from Chechnya collide with a hunt for a DEA mole, Hogan realizes the truth he can’t Kai was his before fate stole the memories, and he’ll risk everything to make him his again.

Kai has lived as a ghost for too long—DEA agent, infiltrator, executioner, survivor. Betrayed and hunted, he carries secrets that could bring down cartels, expose corruption, and destroy the very people he’s sworn to protect. But when his past with Hogan resurfaces, the walls he’s built start to crack.

As the Bratya syndicate closes in, trafficking networks spread, and Black Tide joins the fight, Hogan and Kai must decide if love is their greatest weakness—or the only weapon strong enough to survive the war that’s coming.

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2026

About the author

Mother, Wife, Author, and all around crazy...

I write the kind of books that I love to read. Love stories between strong men and their independent soulmates. Usually, their path to Happily Ever After is a bumpy one, but there is always a Happy Ever After.

​In the world's I create there is someone (or two, or three) for everyone! Love comes in many forms and I believe it is all beautiful and should be celebrated!

I live, love and write in New Zealand, married to my husband of eleven years with two beautiful children who I truly believe were sent as a blessing, but sometimes to try my patience, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Reviews

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hogan has a past with Kai that he can't remember. His body remembers what his mind cannot. Even suffering from amnesia, he knows that Kai is important to him, and when Kai's in danger, he knows he needs to save him. Kai has been tracking a mole and the DEA for some time—someone that's been pulling strings and putting people's lives in danger. Together with the Pathfinders, can they finally put an end to this?.

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

A quote from the book that I absolutely loved was:

"Tell me that doesn't look like some weird alpha-inspired three-way marriage. Look at them—no words, just vibes. It's disturbing." Hogan huffed a laugh. "You jealous?" "Hell no. I don't do shared custody of brain cells. But if they start bickering about what kind of curtains belong in the war room, I'm out."

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the next in the Pathfinders series, Chris “Ace” Hogan has forgot all that he and Kai meant to each other after his injury in Chechnya. Kai walked away from him when doctors said not to force his memories. When Kai is in trouble Ace’s instincts kick and knows he needs to go get him.

Will his memory every return? Does his heart know more than his mind? This is an action packed romance, it can be read as a standalone but if you read them in order you will have better feel for the other character.

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

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 of the Pathfinders series. Can be read as a standalone.

'Hogan and Kai must decide if love is their greatest weakness—or the only weapon strong enough to survive the war that’s coming.'

The characters were very complex and complicated and compelling and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building continues to impress and be solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[stardragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kai has gone dark and nobody knows where he is hiding until Hogan gets an encrypted message for help. Hogan flies to Hawaii to find him, but when he does Kai is in bad shape. After a mission in Chechnya where Hogan was severely injured he has lost pieces of his past. This is actually the end of the Pathfinders series, but the start of a new one. Kai is part of Black Tide another group doing the same work as the Pathfinders and Sniper Team Bravo, but in Hawaii. This book is full of action and double-cross by government agents, but has spice, romance along with the drama.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Reckoning is the fifth book in the Pathfinders series and I would recommend reading the rest of the series even though it can be read as a standalone. This is another fantastic book in the series, I can't wait to see what comes in the spinoff.

[Akasha721 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hogan finds Kai bloody and beaten but happy to see him. This book is all action and enough for two books. The three teams come together and it's all explosive for the target! Great book and very exciting!.

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

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five in the Pathfinders series and again the author has written another great addition this time we have Ace and Kai’s story.

[Kurtins R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 5 of the Pathfinders series and a great conclusion - introducing a new group to follow on from the The Pathfinders but in Hawai'i and finally getting Kai and Hogan together!
Loved it