Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Killer of Kings #2

Broken Bastard

Rate this book
No mercy. No pity. No women.

Bain has always worked solo, refusing to allow anyone to lord over him. His life has been fucked up enough, and he's learned trust comes with a price. When he finally accepts an invitation to work for Killer of Kings, he regrets the decision after his first contract. It was supposed to be simple, now there's a curvy little temptation tied up in his basement.

Scarlett struggles to move up in a career where appearances are everything. When she lands a risky interview with a known crime boss, she hopes it will be her big break as a reporter. Instead, she's caught up in the middle of an assassination and taken hostage by the hitman.

She wants to hate the tattooed devil, but finds herself intrigued by his story. Is it the reporter in her wanting to know more... or the woman falling for a broken man?

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 17, 2017

182 people are currently reading
799 people want to read

About the author

Sam Crescent

547 books5,495 followers
Sam Crescent is passionate about fiction. She loves a good erotic romance and so it only made sense for her to spread her wings and start writing. She began writing in 2009 and finally got that first acceptance in 2011 by Total-E-Bound.
She loved creating new characters and delving into the worlds that she creates. When she’s not panicking about a story or arguing with a character, she can be found in her kitchen creating all kinds of havoc. Like her stories the creations in the kitchen can be just as dubious but sometimes things turn out great.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
410 (46%)
4 stars
260 (29%)
3 stars
158 (17%)
2 stars
45 (5%)
1 star
14 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for May Reads Books.
684 reviews
June 22, 2017
4.5/5
Dark safe read

This book was better than the first!! And I really liked the first book!! LOVED theses characters!
It's sooooo hard to find a SAFE DARK read! I'm so happy this series so far has been both!! I'm interested if Boss will get his own book???? That would be great!

-great build up meeting > Love
-Darker read
-H mentally, physically, sexually abused as child and teen
-h abused and miscarriage a baby with last BF over a year ago
-both not virgins
-OTT alpha
-H hasn't been with anyone recently
-No OW Drama
-No epilogue, but I did get more closer than the last book had. There was a time jump with marriage and a baby. So that belt like a HEA to me... but I still would have liked a epilogue
Profile Image for LaBlue.
1,041 reviews23 followers
January 3, 2022
This story wasn’t good. They were bonded after like 16 hours in each other’s company and in that time the MMC threatened her with a gun to her head, threw her in the trunk of his car, TWICE, and drugged her the second time. There simply wasn’t enough grounds for their relationship based on that short a time frame for the rest of this book. It was almost like whiplash the about face of both characters towards each other and towards everyone and everything else in this book.

It was impossible to connect with these characters. If it had spanned a longer amount of time for them to get to know each other, or there had been a better premise for the insta-love then what was given on page then maybe. But as it stands I was done with this book from the beginning. Don’t waste your time. So far this series is extremely underwhelming. I’m disappointed because the idea could have been great in the hands of a better author and publisher and because I was interested in reading about Bain after book one. Smdh.

Good luck.
Profile Image for Neringa Neringiukas.
1,213 reviews85 followers
June 20, 2017
I loved first book in the series, but this seems to be even better. Which I confess is a surprise. This story gone path, that I didn't saw.

Bain... Damn, that man! After meeting him before, I didn't think, that he will hook my heart. But he did. Beautiful broken man. There's more to him, then you could imagine. In a way it's kinda funny. A killer who softens your heart, it's becomes like a marshmallow. Bain has this kind of power.

I liked Bain and Scarlet together. They had interesting synergy. He's a Killer, she's complication, but from the first moment it was like they recognised a kindred soul in each other.

Oh, and despite that I'm curious about Boss from the first book, he can be annoying little shit. Lol. But I got a feeling, we didn't meet the real boss. There is lots to uncover about him. But I still hope some girl will bring him to his knees. And will give him what he's missing in his life.

I can't wait to see, what 3rd book will bring.
Profile Image for lily.
1,266 reviews
December 26, 2017
I want my own broken damaged bastard! God this man is yummy .
Profile Image for Neringa Neringiukas.
1,213 reviews85 followers
June 20, 2017
I loved first book in the series, but this seems to be even better. Which I confess is a surprise. This story gone path, that I didn't saw.

Bain... Damn, that man! After meeting him before, I didn't think, that he will hook my heart. But he did. Beautiful broken man. There's more to him, then you could imagine. In a way it's kinda funny. A killer who softens your heart, it's becomes like a marshmallow. Bain has this kind of power.

I liked Bain and Scarlet together. They had interesting synergy. He's a Killer, she's complication, but from the first moment it was like they recognised a kindred soul in each other.

Oh, and despite that I'm curious about Boss from the first book, he can be annoying little shit. Lol. But I got a feeling, we didn't meet the real boss. There is lots to uncover about him. But I still hope some girl will bring him to his knees. And will give him what he's missing in his life.

I can't wait to see, what 3rd book will bring.
Profile Image for Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’.
3,424 reviews2 followers
June 22, 2017
I Voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book

Oh Bain... So strong and all the walls around you, but all you needed was a strong women and someone to love you for you.

The two of them were amazing together and it's like they just knew they were meant for each other.

These authors writing together and the stories will just make your heart melt.

I can't wait to read the next one... Would it be the Boss himself??
Profile Image for Book Nook Kitten.
686 reviews14 followers
April 16, 2021
The first half painfully boring, the second half completely awful. I wondered did the two authors literally divide the book up, with one writing the first half and the other writing the second half of the story. Because it read like that. While the writing in the first half was lacking depth , no detail given to support the author's claim that Bain was detached, cold and unfeeling, it was missing atmosphere, heat and was very slow and boring, it was at least readable. But the second half wasn't readable at all, it was completely awful. Like truly, cringingly awful. Hence why I stopped reading at 61%. Maybe the whole thing was really awful but my patience ran out by the halfway mark, but it really did seem more terrible in the second half. I just couldn't read anymore of this.
Profile Image for Jan.
2,081 reviews13 followers
July 13, 2022
Bain we read about in the first book in the series, Taking Her Innocence. He finally is working for the Killer of Kings. Jobs can’t be too tough. Unfortunately when he finds an up and coming reporter, he takes her with. Scarlett needs this big break to keep her job. Get an interview with the biggest Russian mob boss and she is in. Problem, she just witnessed his end. Worst, she is taken by the killer. Something about him intrigues her. He has a story and she would love to tell it. Bain doesn’t like dealing with people. He likes his alone time. But Scarlett awakens things that he thought were long dead. Now he has to figure out what to do with her. Does he kill her or keep her? Boss isn’t happy about her knowing what happened. Our damsel is really in distress. She is afraid of Bain at first. Heck, he was cold in the first book. But we learn a lot more about Bain. How he was treated as a kid. It turned him into a cold hearted killer till Scarlett. I have to say is was really messed up what they did to him. Scarlett has her own demons namely her ex. He is scum. Boss has some serious issues. That made is cold to the core. There may be redemption for him but we will have to wait and see. Viper is back and we meet a new member, Killian.
Profile Image for Darlene I read WAY to many books.
3,675 reviews2,429 followers
January 15, 2019
Scarlett has a job to do interview a shady mafia guy.. but before the interview even starts the place is attacked by a killer.. she is taken hostage by Bain.. he won't kill her yet or rape her nothing.. he talks to her gets to know her.. he finds something about her.. that won't let him kill her.... they both have demons in their past.. and both are learning about one another.. even when Bains boss Boss.. wants her dead.. he'll do anything to keep her safe..

Both broken.. both healing eachother..

Angst,  no ow/om drama, no cheating,  drama and our secondary charas, plus some steamy sex.  Also mentions of past abuse also past sexual abuse(bain past), and miscarriage..

Instalove/lust
Hea
Epilogue
Profile Image for Brenna.
186 reviews5 followers
July 27, 2018
Intense and addicting!

I loved this book and would definitely recommend this whole series.


Bain is messed up and has been deprived of love his whole life. Killing is how he copes and how he lives. And Viper is his blood brother.

And Scarlett is a loose end. He doesn't know what to do with her. She is broken. Torn between fighting and giving into death.

The more he keeps her around, the more he feels and it's getting to him.

But his boss man wants her dead and he needs her for his own sanity. And I loved how Viper came back to help his brother in blood when he needed him.

It all ends well .......eventually.
2,978 reviews10 followers
January 28, 2021
Loose Ends

Scarlett is excited and terrified for her interview with the Russian Mobster. It's the story she needs to break out as the reporter she wants to be but so dangerous. She doesn't realize how dangerous until she's sitting in the middle of a huge man with a gun.
Bain calculated his every move and timed his hit just right but didn't see Scarlett. She's a loose end/complication he doesn't need.
Together they both realize something is happening to them. Emotions they've not seen come out and together they discover the meaning of love and a future. They just have to deal with his boss.
Profile Image for Mandy.
312 reviews
September 17, 2018
A quick, steamy, delicious read.

Scarlett is in the wrong place at the wrong time when she witnesses Bain killing someone. Bain knows he can't leave any loose ends behind but instead of killing Scarlett, makes the decision to take her with him and this changes both of their lives forever.

I love reading how a ruthless killer falls for a woman and this book is just that. A quick, action filled, steamy read that packs everything into a small amount of pages.

Although part of a series, can be read as a standalone and is written from a dual pov.
130 reviews
December 2, 2025
broken bastard

Loved the story of Bain and Scarlet. They go through a lot before their HEA.

Scarlet goes to a crime bosses home to get an interview. She works as a researcher but never gets credit for the story that’s given to younger skinnier women. Hoping this interview will let her keep her job, while there waiting a hit is carried out on the man she was to see.

Bain takes her with him rather than killing the witness.

Read the book to find out both their traumatic pasts and all they work through as their relationship evolves.

Great story!!!!
2,472 reviews32 followers
September 25, 2017
5 Stars

Broken Bastard is oh so good!!! Bain is the male lead and so yummy, he has a dark personality that makes him stand out along with tats from neck to toes. Scarlet is the leading lady and she is beautiful in her own skin. I loved this story because the female lead is older and gets an HEA. This story has a dark storyline but I love reading about characters that have had painful pasts but some how find their one. Happy Reading!!
Profile Image for Tracy Brant.
366 reviews4 followers
January 15, 2025
No..nope

Not for me. If u can completely suspend reality, then maybe. There is so much wrong with this . I can usually find these at least hot but I skipped the steamy parts because I was too pissed to acknowledge them. Then to be blackmailed into agreeing to work for the man who did so much horrid shit ... Nah. i dislike everyne in this book including mcs. I like some of Sam cresents other stuff, but won't continue this series
Profile Image for Rosy.
142 reviews3 followers
June 20, 2017
This Series is Amazeballs!!

Omg Bain is awesome!!

He is a fantasy come true... I love the confrontation declaring Scarlett his... Swoon!!!

Scarlett was beyong amazing too... Her strength after everything she went through is beautiful!

I cant wait to see who is next in the Killer of King series!! I really hope its Boss!
Profile Image for Victoria Craig.
496 reviews3 followers
July 22, 2017
Good Lawd !!!

Is it wrong to love a killer ?? Not if he's in Stacey and Sam's book !! Bain is just over the top yummy !! This is the second in the series and no think it's even better than the first. Full of action and hot , passionate romance , this book is a definite need your library !! Loved it !!💝
Profile Image for Vic.
1,330 reviews5 followers
March 9, 2018
Soon the Boss will fall too and can not wait meet the women, who takes him down!

I enjoyed the fact that the woman showed she can hold her own especially, after what she has lived through. Bain and Scarlett are perfect for each other and the intimate scenes are much better than from the first book. And I'm happy, we'll see more of Viper too!

We'll see how Killian's storyline fairs...
Profile Image for Shel Griffin.
816 reviews
August 4, 2018
Bain and Scarlett

I liked reading this one☺
I knew that Bain was a man with scars inside.
Scarlett was his healing balm.
This is the best of the 3 that I've read in the series. Unless there is a story about the Boss then I don't need to go further. These are expensive for short stories. This is the only one that has gotten five stars so far☺
Profile Image for Lady Raven Books.
1,203 reviews30 followers
February 3, 2019
Amazing read

Wow this book is remarkable. Bain and Scarlett are perfect for each other. This story has really gotten to me a the most amazing way. I could really feel for both of them. Their journey is filled with plenty of adventure. The writing and flow of this book is top notch. I absolutely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Andrea  Floyd.
906 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2019
Great book

The characters in this book keep your interest right from the start, action, murder, mayhem, hit men, strong woman, sex,romance and so much more. This book draws you in and keeps your interest all the way to the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their story,I can't wait to read the next installment in the series,this is one book you won't want to miss.
1,890 reviews6 followers
June 8, 2025
This is Bain’s story which I was looking forward to read. Bain is a mixture of hard core and can be almost human. Scarlett a reporter wanna-be is about to interview a mob boss when there is an explosion. Bain is there and shoots the man……this is the beginning of their journey. They’re have an attraction, both have psychological issues and find solace in each other!
Profile Image for Lydia Johnson.
192 reviews
June 19, 2017
2nd book in series

This was the second book in the series and it was very good. This was Bains story and you get more of Viper too. We see more of The Boss though I'd love to see a story on him too. Very good read with lots of yumminess and action.
18 reviews
June 22, 2017
Entertaining enough read but the plot was very very far fetched (and I read a lot of fiction so experienced - and enjoy - suspending disbelief), the characters and their actions also felt very one dimensional and cliched.

Profile Image for Angeline Sambrano.
98 reviews5 followers
June 22, 2017
Totally outstanding

I would totally recommend this book because it went well beyond all expectations and I can't wait for the next book to come out ya'll did a excellent job once again.
1,619 reviews8 followers
June 22, 2017
Really good book! This book has Bain a hired killer who works for Killer of Kings doing a hit and ending up with a witness. Planning to get rid is the witness he finds that he is intrigued by her and they end up talking and falling in love! Lots of excitement and action.
Profile Image for Sharon McDowall.
252 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2017
Loved it

I loved Bain and Scarlett's story, it was well written and kept my interest to the last page. I do like that the characters have a sense of humor even though woman of them are stone cold killers.
I would eventually love to read the boss's story.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,070 reviews22 followers
June 29, 2017
Not as dark as some, but the hero, OMG, the hero. I wanted to wrap him in love and hugs and never let him go. I adored him and all his darkness. The heroine is perfect for him and I was beyond happy they got their happily ever after.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.