RUSH: an X and Dima novella

Run This Town #1.5

by Avril Ashton

For Dima Zhirkov, retribution-like love-is a brutal game. One he excels at.



It's been almost six years since Dima Zhirkov first fell in love with Xavier Storm. Now married, the couple has found a tentative balance between their relationship and Dima's role as the head of Brooklyn's underworld...
Or at least, they thought they had.
A threat from an unknown enemy proves just how vulnerable they are.
And shows Dima exactly how much he stands to lose.


Please Note: This is not a standalone. Dima and Xavier's story begins in (Watch Me) Break You. It is strongly advised that you read that before starting RUSH. Please use the "Look Inside" feature to read the content warning.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Contemporary, Gay, Romance, Dark, Novella

180 pages, Paperback

First published December 23, 2019

About the author

A Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Stone Mountain, GA., with a tolerant Spousal Equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother

Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.

Reviews

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars**

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You have a bunch of men with their guns at your back, Rush, and they’ll watch your back. Sure. But I will be at your side, that’s my fucking spot. At. Your. Side. I love how protective you are of me. Of us.” He smiled a crooked smile. “But you’re my person, and where my person goes, I go.”

I LOVED THEM SO FUCKING MUCH. 😭🤍 the way Dima was so worried about Xavier when he realized someone was stalking them and Xavier reassuring him? i’m weak for their dynamic. iminloveleavemealone. 🥺

also tbh… Aleks and Chantal caught my eye? kinda intrigued about them too. 👀

[nark · Rating 1 out of 5]

ughhhhh… don’t writers ever get sick and tired of stalker and kidnapping plot lines???? 🙄

i have literally started hating that shit almost every time i come across it, because it seems like it is just WAY overdone. catch me rolling my eyes when it’s just one of those things… but it was BOTH of those.

the stalker that you see from a fucking mile away, the weak ass kidnapping, shitty reasons behind both the stalking and the kidnapping. no, thank you.🥴

at this point, if you want to do the stalker and/or kidnapping plot line you better do it well or i will instantly hate the book.

i hated almost everything about this tbh. i think i liked dima and xavier together in this novella more than their actual book, since they had already been together for years, were married and completely devoted to each other. there was ~almost~ no dumb, pointless actual relationship drama.

regardless, this was sadly WEAK af.

[Nazanin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Darien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing novella by the amazing Avril Ashton. If you love Dima and X you’ll surely love a little look see on wedded bliss and all their sexy times.

This had a little twist which tuned out not be so much of a twist for me which was disappointing, but overall I still very much enjoyed it.

[Mariam, · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy shit this book was true love at its FINEST.

Yes this was cliche, yes this was predictable and Yes this book is a bit too long to be a novella BUT FUCK THAT. Dima and Xavier are bloody Endgame and the love and trust and devotion and honor they hold for each other is no surprisingly, breath taking.

He lifted a shaking hand and smoothed it over Xavier’s bald head. “I love you,” he croaked. “So fucking much.”
“I know.” Xavier smiled, and when his husband smiled that shit was just about as perfect as Dima figured things got for a man like him. “I love you, too.”
There was a special kind of humble that came with knowing someone loved you. They basically hand you their vulnerabilities and put you in control. It was a power not many were worthy of. Dima strove every day to be worthy of that trust Xavier put in him. To take care of his husband’s heart.








He pressed his lips together at the plea in Xavier’s voice. That was the thing about relationships, wasn’t it? You had to explain yourself. Take someone else’s feelings into consideration. All the time. Worry about them nonstop. Struggle to do the right thing and what was best, because for sure those fuckers weren’t always one and the same.






“Go on.” The grate of Xavier’s words pebbled Dima’s skin. His nipples, even his balls, tightened. “Tell me what we can’t.” The knife sank deeper into Dima’s flesh.
Blood rushed through his veins like a sprinter, thundering in his ears. The way he loved the man in front of him, the one with the knife to his throat and the most depraved promises in his eyes. The way Dima loved him






Dima Zhirkov on his back, need in his eyes, and tight sexual tension in every line of his tattooed body was the most beautiful sight. Xavier got to see it every day, every night, and still he had yet to get his fill.





Xavier’s arms tightened around him, his husband’s chin resting on the top of Dima’s head. No matter how hard they played, this was always his favorite thing, being in Xavier’s arms. It was the strongest, warmest embrace.
His sacred place.
All his.

// Ps! Avril has a Interview Section of Xavier in her reader's group and I'm not sure how far it is in the future but our boys have a child! 🤧🤧🤧 Baby Girl Ella 💗

[Nile Princess]

So happy to see a novella about my babies! Always happy to revisit them. So let's see. Can't decide on a rating yet so I'll rate things as I go.

Dima/Xavier - the relationship - 5 stars! I LOVE their love. I love how well they fit, how in tune they are with each other's needs, how Dima allows himself to be vulnerable with X, how X makes it clear that he owns Dima but has no problem letting him know that the same is true in reverse. Dima's immense need for X always comes through and it holds true for this book. Love. Love. Love!

The confusion for me was the general plot. Those of us who have followed this series, loved these characters, and read the books more than once may have some issues here. The overarching theme of Xavier as some kind of house husband that needed protecting, some kind of dude in distress...I was at a total loss. Have we forgotten who Xavier is?? So yes, Dima is still actively running his crew so he faces ongoing threats, but Xavier's connections didn't just vanish because he handed things over to Is. Heck, at the very least all he had to do was call Is! It made no sense that he didn't. Just fretting by himself like a regular dude. X is not a regular dude! He didn't stop being who he is as a person just because he stopped being a lord.

Dima asking Is what he would have done all the way from Philly almost made me throw my tablet. Umm 1) Did Philly move? Driving, it's a hop, skip and a jump from New York 2) Does Reggie no longer have access to private jets?? 3) When Is and Reggie got into trouble in Atlanta, X and Dima were on the next plane to help them because, flights. I meannn….. That comment alone deserved a punch to the face and I'm glad Is indulged him because I love Dima and X but Is and Reggie are everything. EVERYTHING! You hear me? :)

Further plot confusion:
So X makes a big fuss about going to the mafia meeting with Dima and then doesn't go in the actual room??

Someone who would sell his sister for a shipload of guns doesn't strike me as someone who would let a little thing like her being married deter him. Are we saying that it's because of WHO she was married to? In Aleks' case it would make sense, but Joe was nobody so...

Someone would sell his sister for a shipload of guns being surprised/upset that she was almost raped? I didn't get it. Yes, he was particularly insulted that it was at the hands of his men, but he seemed distressed that it almost happened at all. Human trafficking and rape tend to go together?

Having said that, I'm REALLY liking the Aleks/Chantal angle. I don't really read m/f but I would read their story...unless she's going to be difficult and annoying, in which case, hard pass.

Biggest plot issue:
The villain - 1 star. Just...no. I didn't get this at all. Have we figured out how this villain was able to do all that surveillance, remain undetected, AND have hired muscle? Is the villain former Special Ops? Cause a regular person doing all that and outsmarting all Dima's best and brightest is a no. The reason for the whole debacle was no. The whole thing was just no. I will definitely read this book again, but I will totally skip this whole section.

Turning Rush and X into crazy cat ladies - also, no. Look, I put up with Butch even though she isn't a puppy cause she was sassy lol; she didn't even have the decency to comfort Dima when he was upset, but whatever. But, unless they plan to give away kittens as they age, 7 cats in one house is just all kinds of no.

So! To summarize, X and Dima are a joy and I luvvvvs them. The actual plot, not so much.

I'm looking forward to the other implied novellas/books which are:
Aleks/Chantal
Anton/Sylvie/Dare
And I'm hoping there's an Is/Reggie since Reggie was giving my boo the cold shoulder for opening a half can of whoop ass on Dima (Dima got some licks in too). That ish was beautiful and NilePrincess approved!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars ... I love the grit of this series, dark, dirty and compelling. The strength of these guys and their connections with each other is intensity at its finest. Well written and had me totally hooked

[Nans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappointed with X and Dima

Two characters that I really love and their book was one of my favourite by avril. The novella doesn’t disappoint 6 years in their love and trust and crazy family is still insane Amazing. Loved the bonus story someone is out to hurt Dima and they trying to figure it out. Love them always

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart

Dima and X, dirty-sexy and brutal as ever with a few twists. Avril Ashton certainly knows how to write dark erotica. Definitely a contrast after the number of holiday stories I read.

[Sali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intense, lots of edge play. I liked this couple in their first book, still like them. Definitely not for the faint of (kink) heart.

Brought from kindle.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book

[Amos24601 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable but still so good.

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of Dima and X. They are so deep in each other that they will never see their way out. Dima’s mind is such a fascinating place. How he can be a cold blooded killer in one moment and a tender and loving husband in the next is wild. I adore him.

I love how X loves Dima. How he accepts Dima in every way, flaws and all. He has a passion for Dima that can’t be matched. Dima recognizes this but never has exploits it. Together, they make quite a stunning team. In this book, complacency is the killer. They become too comfortable after 6 years together and it almost leads to their demise.

While the villain was predictable, I was all in just to be with Dima and X again. I will read what ever Avril writes about them and never complain.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how messed up Dima is. He is one of my favourites. Maybe because he was my first from Avril Ashton. X is still as steady and wonderful as ever (except when he's being seriously sadistic). Not for the faint hearted.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I thought the stalker/kidnapping plot line was far-fetched, I really enjoyed the aspects of Xavier and Dima's relationship we got to see in his book. A great read if you like dark romance.

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xavier and Dima are that perfect couple I can not get enough of. Their story has everything in it without none of those parts being too much.
There’s stalking, murder, bdsm, kink, vanilla, romance, friendships and great chemistry. Nothing taking too much attention and nothing being too little. It’s all a perfect blend that leaves you wanting more and more.
I’m not sure if they’re featured in any novels after this time period since I just started this series but I can most definitely say I’m on the lookout for them. They’re an amazing duo.

[Stella Gladden · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy that they are back..

I'm so happy to see another addition to the series. Between these two, you never know what love can do to you, or make you do. Knowing, that you will do anything to protect what's precious to you. And, that's what Dima did, when they kidnapped the love of his life, Xavier. I'm glad to see that their love is still as strong as ever, and they'll do anything to protect it.

[DANNETTE HUGGINS · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was nice to catch up with these two.

But being lax has it price. They thought they were Invincible. Little did they know another monster was lurking in the back ground. Though I found it hard that it took the monster that many years to come and play a deadly game. Dima love pain but only if it Xavier whose doling it out. Anyone else just pisses Doms off. Someone has access to them both. Someone e close. Will they figure it out before one of them ends up losing?

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite criminals are back!

Dima and Xavier settled into their lives when new problems and enemies occur.
But when Xavier gets kidnapped all bets are off and Dima's on a warpath.
I love both characters deeply and really enjoyed reading that book. But I still want more!
It was just too short ;)

[Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this novella takes place so many years after their book, seeing them happy after about 6 years of marriage was fantastic. I love how they are still crazy in love and being there for each other.

Also, my rating goes combined with little Elle's story, as I cant see it separate here, and only those few pages deserved all the stars for me <3<3.

[Michi · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 years later, we get to catch up with Rush and Dima. There's some trouble brewing with outside issues. Rush and Dima figure some things out. There's plenty of heat and violence. Quick read and worth every page.

[WordsAreMagical · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is for everyone who loves Dima and Xavier. I was just happy that we got more of this couple and we get to experience their intense love. I love the protectiveness both characters show towards each other and it was fun to dive into their world for some time.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Venga, no soy fan de las continuaciones de parejas de las que ya se habló antes y se sabe que ya tuvieron un final feliz, de verdad. Pero me gustó este ¿Lo sentí innecesario? Sí, y mucho, pero igual, no le quita lo bueno y divertido, además de un poco angustiante, el libro.

[MOZELLE PRUITT · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent novella

[Mildred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freaking hooked!

[Tish]

I read the entire series and I Love It! I would hope that Avril Ashton revisits X and Dima often!

[smol fishling ⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ true love ~
💙 Dima + Xavier 🖤
┊͙ ˘͈ᵕ˘͈

[Veronica-Lynn Pit Bull · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I loved Dima in (Watch Me) Break You, this novella really didn’t do it for me. A more honest rating for me would be closer to 2 stars, but I’m rounding up because I think maybe it’s a case of “it’s me, not the story” – at least a bit. Dima is still my crazy, reckless, sexy Russian – although in Rush he crossed the line into psycho-town a little farther than my personal comfort zone. Still it was nice to see him enjoying domestic bliss with his husband Mr. Storm and their cat – the lovely, very preggers Butch.

Dima is a pain slut and his relationship with X involves a lot of S&M, blood/knife play, breath play and good old fashioned beatings. Not really my thing even in fiction; but I can generally work up some enthusiasm as long as the happy couple is thoroughly enjoying themselves. My issue with Rush wasn’t the sex; it was the story. Events transpire to threaten their hearth and home. They’re thrown off their game. Dima is desperate to protect X, and X has completely forgotten that he used to head the Rude Boys street gang and has connections up the wazoo. Instead he just fluffs everything off with an “I don’t need no stinkin’ bodyguards”. See where this is going?

Unfortunately, the worst part is the threat. It’s not at all plausible. Not at all. And that really takes away from what could have been a nice interlude with Dima and his honey-bunny. While the main storyline is running amok in what-the-actual-fuck-land; the novella seems to be very ambitiously attempting to set up a couple of side stories – neither or which really floated my boat. First Dima decides to play matchmaker with Chantal, a woman with Haitian Mafia connections that he catches stealing from him and concludes that marrying her off to his boy Aleks is the ideal solution. Chantal and Aleks are set to have a tumultuous romance with lots of big misunderstandings. The pair of them seem like a couple of drama queens. Secondly, there’s tension brewing between the threesome of Anton, Sylvie and Dare. None of the three are off-putting per se. They are wonderful secondary characters, but they haven’t caught my interest enough to warrant going down the rabbit hole of their spin off story.

If you really, really love Dima and X; then it’s worth giving Rush a once over.

[Zee]

6 mf ⭐️ First of all, I’m having the same review for both the original book and its following novella since I am considering them one and the same. They are too connected to be reviewed separately, which is something I appreciate for these men. This couple is in the top 3 favorite couples in this whole universe. Honestly these two were made for each other. Now, Dima is a crazy masochistic motherfucker who isn’t afraid of dishing out pain as well as receiving it (only from X though 😌). Since the beginning of the book, you can see his crazy, but that made him all the more appealing and interesting. And even though you can see some differences with him at the end of the novella, he still is a crazy, protective, submissive, domineering cutie patootie gang boss. I love him with my whole heart. And now Xavier, this man, OUFFF this man is THE man. Xavier is the ultimate partner, he understood Dima without him even saying anything. His calm and collected demeanor is everything. He is a force. Even throughout his betrayal, he didn’t fake or hold in his emotions for Dima. And both of them together, URGHHH. I love how Xavier centers Dima, and how Dima strengthens Xavier. Also, I don’t think I have ever read a submission as beautiful as Dima showed to Xavier. (Insert quote). No need to comment on the smut, because I say this in every review of Avril Ashton’s books: this author is THE author to write smut. It is literally perfection. The heat, the passion, the vulnerability, the depth of emotions in their lovemaking. Fucking amazing. 😩❤️‍🔥🥺 Chef’s kiss. In fact, the chef deserves a good dicking. Anyway, 10/10 recommend. On to the next couple, Is and Reggie. I wanted to add some quotes from the book because they were amazing, but I don't have them on hand, so maybe later I'll edit my review.