Sunday, June 7, 2026
🌈Sunday's Safe Word Shelf🌈: The Virgin by EM Denning
Breakfast at Bennett's #1
Jonah Bennett is a virgin.
At twenty-seven, his inexperience is the most humiliating secret Jonah has. The men he’s met always want to move faster than he does, and after one particularly disastrous first—and last—date, he’s forced to turn to his best friend for help. Spencer is one of the few people Jonah trusts, but when he confesses his secret, Jonah fears their friendship may be over.
Spencer Givens is great with his hands.
An artist by trade, Spencer has always been creative with his talents and generous with his time, so offering his body to his best friend feels like a logical solution to what Jonah thinks is his biggest problem. The plan is simple—a little fooling around between friends until Jonah is ready to try dating again.
But Spencer soon realizes he doesn’t want Jonah to date other people. The more time they spend together, the deeper in love he falls. Their agreement was only meant to be temporary, and even though the threat of losing Jonah is real, Spencer is desperate to make it permanent. If you love something you’re supposed to let it go, but Spencer doesn’t think he can. And more than that, he doesn’t want to.
Does Jonah feel the same? Or is their friendship ruined forever?
Breakfast at Bennett’s is a four book series consisting of The Virgin, The Jock, The Princess, and The Outcast. For maximum enjoyment, it is best to read the series in order.
CHAPTER 1
JONAH
“If the nextword out of your mouth is trajectory, I’m never playing darts with you again.”
“You’re only mad because you suck at this.” Jonah poked his tongue out of the corner of his mouth to concentrate on kicking Spencer’s ass.
“If we drank at my place, I could kick your ass in Mario Kart, but you’re tired of losing.”
Jonah took his shot and hit near enough to the bullseye that Spencer officially had no hope of overtaking his score. “Did you ever stop to think that I let you win?”
Jonah cast an amused look over his shoulder at his best friend Spencer, who rolled his eyes and stepped up to take his turn. Not that it would make a difference to the outcome of the game.
“It’s not fair that you’re this good at darts.” Spencer lined up his shot and swore under his breath when it went wide, nearly missing the board completely.
“It’s not my fault that Colby was a competitive nightmare growing up. He had to be better than me at everything he could. Not like it was hard for him to beat me at sports, but I had to take my wins where I could get them.” Jonah put the darts away and clapped Spencer on his big, broad shoulder. The man was built like a tank. “Come on, I’ll buy you a drink.”
“You make it sound like growing up with Colby was awful.”
“It was.” Jonah scoffed. “Because Taylor is the baby of the family, Colby would never compete with him. Only me, because I’m older. I swear, his name is in the dictionary under ‘middle child syndrome.’”
Maybe awful was a stretch, Jonah thought. Colby wasn’t that bad. He was just a gung ho, eager sort of guy, always had been. And with Mom long since passed away and Dad raising three boys and running Bennett’s— the family diner—on his own, sometimes the kids were left to their own devices. Jonah still didn’t know how the three of them survived each other. Having Taylor around probably helped, to be honest. He was six years younger than Jonah, and four years younger than Colby, but where Colby doted on Taylor, he picked on Jonah. Colby had to be the best, the strongest, the fastest. After a while, Jonah had learned not to care about his competitive streak, but that didn’t mean he had to let Colby win at everything.
Having a jock for a brother had turned out to be an advantage, especially one who made Jonah help him train for soccer camp and swim meets. Too bad the small edge it gave him toward not being a nerdy social pariah hadn’t helped him to be less awkward around men he was interested in.
Jonah stopped at the bar and ordered a couple more pints for him and Spencer. They were regulars at The Anchor, a local bar that was the kind of place people went to hang out and have fun. The Anchor was dim without being dingy and decorated in different woods. Pictures of pirate ships adorned one wall, a slight nod to the name of the bar, Jonah thought. There were pool tables and dart boards, and they carried a variety of beers from local microbreweries. The food was typical bar food, but it was always good.
On the way back to their table, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He took his seat before digging it out and checking.
“Is that from Damon?” Their other friend, who sometimes made up the third member of their trio, was supposed to have met them there.
Jonah wished it was from Damon. Anything was better than getting another message like the one he’d just read. Flames lit the side of his face, and he shoved his phone away. “No, it was from Tom.”
“The boyfriend?”
“He wasn’t my boyfriend. We went out a couple times, but …”
“Ah shit, Jonah, I’m sorry. Do you want me to let the air out of his tires? I could draw dicks on his windshield with dry erase markers.”
Jonah drained the rest of his beer and contemplated getting another, but Spencer shook his head.
“That won’t help.”
“I feel stupid, that’s all.”
Spencer furrowed his brow. “You must have really liked him.”
He shouldn’t have laughed as hard as he did, but he couldn’t stop himself. “No, actually. He was drier than a slice of stale bread, but that was half the appeal, you know.”
Spencer eyed him with more curiosity than Jonah was comfortable with. “Stale bread is appealing? I don’t follow.”
It was no secret, to Spencer at least, that Jonah went on a lot of first dates, but not a lot of second ones. Seldom did he make it to a third, and he had never told Spencer why.
But…he was tired of carrying it around like it was some kind of shameful secret. Logically, Jonah knew there was nothing wrong with being a twenty-seven-year-old virgin. So what if he taught teens that had more sex than he’d ever even thought about? So what if he was a socially awkward mess of a man who couldn’t bring himself to let someone touch him in the ways he ached to be touched?
Sometimes he thought it might kill him. He’d lie awake at night and imagine all sorts of dirty scenarios where he was touched and fucked, held down, held open, and used. He knew that no one had ever died from lack of sex, but sometimes he wanted to. Okay, that was dramatic.
“Jonah?” Spencer said, making him realize he’d been quiet for too long.
Jonah opened his mouth, intending to spill all his secrets to Spencer, when Damon appeared. He dropped down next to Jonah and flung a friendly arm around him, pulling him into a side hug. “Sorry I’m late. I got hung up.”
Jonah’s nose wrinkled. “You smell like Tom Ford and sex.”
“You’re full of it. I do not.” Damon’s cheeks turned slightly pink, indicating that not only was he lying but also feeling sheepish about being caught.
Jonah and Spencer had chosen not to pry into his secret love affair a while ago. Damon seemed happy, and whoever he was with had to be at least partially responsible for that, so they left well enough alone. Having a closet full of secrets himself, Jonah knew what it was like to want to keep things from spilling out.
“I started that bear last week, did I tell you two?” Spencer steered the conversation away from Damon’s love life—and Jonah’s lack of one—and onto his art. Spencer was the shop teacher at the high school where Jonah taught mostly math and science. Spencer also built sculptures out of scrap metal in his spare time.
“You better be taking progress photos this time.” Damon reached over and stole Spencer’s drink. He took a sip and gave it back with a shudder. “Yep, that’s still fucking gross.”
“You do that every week,” Jonah said.
“Someone once told me beer was an acquired taste and I have yet to acquire it. I figure, one of these weeks, it might not taste like something that sat in the bottom of a boot.”
“I still don’t see why you think I should bother with photos.” Spencer moved his beer out of Damon’s reach.
“I keep telling you to post them on the internet. Start an Instagram or something. People love creative shit like that.”
Spencer arched an eyebrow and even Jonah had to wonder about Damon’s choice of words. “Creative shit?”
“Oh, shut up. You know you impress me with your sculptures. You’re this giant, talented, hot-as-hell mountain of a man. People will eat you up.” Damon was always free with comments like that. If he thought someone looked good, he said so. If he thought someone was talented, he made sure they knew about it. While it threw some people off, over time Jonah and Spencer had gotten so used to being on the receiving end that they almost never noticed when he said something about how hot they were.
Spencer was hot. Most easily described as a bear, he had a short, well-groomed beard and hair just long enough to pull back into a low ponytail.
Jonah always considered himself to be on the plain side, which was part of the reason he was still single—and a virgin. Mousy brown hair, cut short enough he didn't have to bother styling it but longer than a buzz cut didn’t exactly inspire people to line up around the block.
Spencer didn’t hide the disgust from his face. “I don’t think I’m interested in that. In fact, the more you talk, the less appealing it sounds. If—big if—I started something like that, I’d only show off my art. I’m not interested in someone who sees my face online and decides they need to be with me.”
“Well, that’s fine too. People love a good mystery.”
“I don’t think you’re helping matters, Damon.” Jonah finished his beer. He thought about ordering another one, but he still had stacks of grading to do over the weekend and he loathed working through a hangover. He shoved his empty glass away, earning him a look of concern from Spencer. Jonah appreciated that Damon had interrupted their previous conversation, but part of him knew Spencer wasn’t about to let it go so easily.
“I’m always helpful.” Damon grinned, looking far too pleased with himself to be talking about Jonah or Spencer.
“Unless you’re going to reveal details of Mister Expensive Cologne to us, don’t be a tease, Damon,” Spencer said to him, acknowledging for the first time that there was definitely a someone they all knew existed, even if Damon was keeping him a secret.
Damon batted his eyelashes. “I don’t know what you mean. I’m absolutely one hundred percent single.”
Jonah doubted the validity of that statement for a moment, then immediately second-guessed himself. Maybe that was his problem. All this time he’d wanted to do things in a specific order, but life wasn’t a math equation. He didn’t necessarily have to follow the typical steps—meet a guy, date a guy, fall in love with a guy, fuck a guy. Especially if the result was always going to be the same. Maybe it was time to rethink his formula. He could take a page from Damon’s book and have lots of casual sex.
Damon was bisexual, but mostly he partnered with men, especially recently. It had been a while since Jonah had heard Damon talk about a woman he’d been interested in. But since Damon started seeing his mystery man, he’d been tight-lipped about any of his escapades.
At least Jonah wasn’t bisexual. He doubted he could stand being rejected by more than one gender. It was bad enough being rejected by men like Tom, who was as interesting as a blank sheet of paper.
Jonah forced himself to be social for another hour, sipping at one more drink just to have something to keep his hands occupied. But the conversation often drifted past him and he felt like an ass for not being able to pay attention to Damon or Spencer. Damon might not have noticed Jonah’s silence, but Spencer had. The weight of his stare bored into Jonah, and he could almost see all the questions Spencer was itching to ask him.
“I need to get going. I have papers to grade and plants to water.”
“If you got plastic plants, you could hang out longer,” Damon joked.
“Next weekend we’ll do dinner at my place. Spencer can bring the drinks and you can bring dessert.”
“Why don’t I get to bring the drinks?” Damon asked.
“Because you think beer tastes like boot water. Spencer can pick the drinks. You can bring dessert,” Jonah repeated before he rose and patted his pockets, making sure he had his wallet, keys, and his phone.
“Are you okay to drive?” Damon asked. “I can give you a lift home.”
“I took an Uber here.”
“Well, why don’t we all take off, and I can be the big, responsible best friend and give you and Spencer a lift home?”
“You two don’t have to take off just because I’m going home,” he protested.
Damon and Spencer were already standing, though. They’d paid for their drinks, but Spencer peeled a couple of bills off and tucked them under the glass for the waitress.
“I have a ton of shit to sort in my shop.”
“And I have to go home and feed my fish.”
“You don’t have fish,” Jonah said, tucking his hands in his pockets.
“My pet fish takes offense to that.” Damon pulled his keys from his pocket and spun them on his finger. “Come on. If you’re good, we can stop for fries.”
Damon dropped Spencer off first, which made sense because his house came before Jonah’s on the route they took, but it also turned out to be a trap because the minute Damon pulled away from the curb at Spencer’s, he put on his serious best friend face. “Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?”
Jonah sighed and did his best not to fold his arms over his chest since that was his tell when he was upset about something. And Jonah was not upset. He was tired of not knowing what it was like to be with another person intimately. His one circle jerk as a teenager didn’t count because it was every man for himself. It lacked the closeness of another person that he so desperately craved.
“Tom doesn’t want to see me again.”
To that, Damon said nothing. For several blocks he was quiet, then he let out a sigh of his own when they were almost at Jonah’s townhouse.
“You didn’t even like Tom,” Damon said.
“I didn’t dislike him.”
“Jonah …” Damon trailed off, and Jonah didn’t know whether the twist in his stomach was smugness or shame that he’d finally rendered his friend speechless.
“Maybe I’ll take a break from dating for a while. I think I need to reevaluate my priorities.”
“Well, if you ever need to talk, you know I’m here for you, right?”
“I do, thank you.” Jonah absolutely would not be taking his virginity problem to Damon. He was glad he’d been interrupted before doing something stupid like tell Spencer. No, Jonah would deal with this himself. He’d do what any other self-respecting gay man would do.
He’d download Grindr, set up an anonymous hookup, and get it over with. Once it was out of the way, Jonah might not be so nervous about it anymore. He’d spent so long building it up in his head that he’d made it this huge ordeal.
It was time he got over himself—and under someone else.
E. M. Denning is a writer from British Columbia. She loves her family and animals, and anything cute and fuzzy. She writes romance for the 18+ plus crowd because she's both a hopeless romantic and a dirty old woman.
You can find her on her website, Facebook or on her blog.
AUDIBLE / AUDIOBOOKS / CHIRP
EMAIL: emdenningauthor@gmail.com
Saturday, June 6, 2026
🌈Saturday's Series Spotlight🌈: Saint Brothers by Davidson King Part 2
Matt lives a pretty simple life. A physical therapist, he helps people to heal and become their best selves once again. When he’s offered a live-in position at the Saint residence, he accepts easily and for a while, things go smoothly. But then there’s a drunken night…and a possible stalker. Matt is really starting to miss that simple life.
Nick likes computers more than people…except maybe his twin brother. Matt living with them for months on end doesn’t affect him much…until one weird night. Now Nick sees Matt in a different light, and when someone else starts looking at Matt in a very dangerous way, he is filled with a need to help. But will Matt let him? And who is stalking Matt?
When the situation begins to escalate and it appears that Matt’s life may be on the line, Nick refuses to stand on the sidelines—he calls for his family to step in and help. As Nick and Matt get closer in every way, so does the threat. Can Nick and Matt keep one step ahead of danger, or is luck not on their side?
Mine to Keep is book three in the Saint Brothers Series. While the story is a standalone, characters from past books appear in this story so for the full experience I suggest reading in order Book one: Slay Ride. Book two: Kill Me Sweetly.
What's Left of Me #4
Summary:Phoenix
My once carefree life—dancing, smiling, and never looking over my shoulder—ended the day I was kidnapped and held by a serial killer for three months. A part of me was certain I was never getting out of there alive…and then when I thought my end was near, I was rescued.
But the killer is still out there, and he wants me back.
The police and FBI are bound by red tape and procedures and because of that, my sister believes they can’t protect me…not like the Saint brothers can. Soon, I’m in a house filled with gorgeous, brilliant, dangerous men, and yet I feel safer than I ever have. Most of that has to do with a certain sunglass-wearing tech genius named Noel. For the first time since being rescued, I feel something toward someone, and I want to explore that.
Noel
I thought my brothers were idiots as I watched them each fall in love. I don’t want to be held down—I love my computers, freedom, and not having to answer to anyone. Then we take on a protection case and Phoenix Briar walks into my life. With a blink of his hazel eyes and barely there smile, I find myself willing to not just protect him but to do it at the cost of my life.
With the Broken Doll Killer on the loose and determined to get his perfect doll back, my brothers and I are in a race against time to keep Phoenix safe and to find his monster before he shatters whatever is left of Phoenix. I’m determined to give Phoenix the love he deserves…and the revenge he needs.
What’s Left of Me is book four in my Saint Brothers series. While it could be read as a standalone it is highly recommended you read Slay Ride, Kill Me Sweetly, and Mine to Keep first since characters from those books play a part in this story.
Last Man Standing #5
Summary:Angel
I’ve been through a lot with my brothers—from sinister politicians to stalkers and serial killers. The craziest of all has been watching them fall in love with their soulmates. Our lives are dangerous, so it’s a miracle one of us found love, let alone four. As the only one still single, I’ve accepted a future of loneliness.
Until one night, a drag show changes everything.
With a voice like an angel, legs for days, and eyes that sweep me away from my own heavy thoughts, Kona intrigues me. Everything about him makes me want to know more. He’s also in serious need of saving.
What I don’t realize is how deep the danger runs or how quickly I’ll jump into it to keep him safe in my arms.
Kona
My life is a nightmare of my own making. I had to keep my brother safe, and to do that, I accepted help from a monster. The Dead Kings Motorcycle Club is a dangerous, violent, and deadly crew. At the helm is Brick, the man who thinks he owns every part of me, and never hesitates to show me, especially when I step out of line. Sadly, this is my forever.
Until one night a Saint walks into my show, and I know he’s going to be the one to change everything.
What I don’t know is who, after the dust settles, will be the last one standing.
Last One Standing is the final book in the Saint Brothers series. While each book has a different couple, the characters in books 1-4 are important to this story. I recommend reading the series in order: Slay Ride, Kill Me Sweetly, Mine to Keep, What’s Left of Me, Last One Standing.
Last One Standing is a guaranteed HEA but there may be some sensitive subject matter, be sure to read the author’s notes at the beginning of the book.
Original Book of the Month Review April 2025:
Davidson King brings everything to the kitchen and delivers a 5-star meal once again with Mine to Keep. The title gives you an idea the featured subject: stalking and she shines a spotlight on so many disturbing emotions felt when one is stalked. I don't speak from personal experience but from everything I've watched and read on the subject over the years, is within the pages of Mine. I certainly hope the author speaks from research and not experience but either way the respect for the topic is shown on every page. Don't get me wrong, there are many scenes of humor, generally between the Saint brothers and their loving banter we've come to know them for, to help balance the overall story.
I gotta say it. Mine to Keep freaked me out more than the first two entries in the author's Saint Brothers series. The first two were definitely more violent, more action-packed, frankly they bordered on horror as much as you can without a paranormal or slasher element in my book. To be honest, Mine was less bloody, less gory, less in your face violent mayhem and yet it terrified me more, or at least more deeply, it spoke to the fear inside me more. Stalking is scary and creepy on multiple levels but it is also something that happens every day, can happen to anyone at anytime. Does it happen that often? More than you probably realize but no, not often. But it can. Stalking speaks to the inner demon that we all have, of course only a select few actually act on it but the idea it can happen on any given day to any and every one you know, that is what makes it such a horrifying event. This is why Mine to Keep scared me more than the first two.
Really the above statement is surprising because just as you think Davidson King might have went a little soft with this entry, she kicks back, kicks butt, and terrified me to the very core. The author's last release in February did something that I wasn't expecting, it gave me moments of respite from the grief of losing my mother. I mention this not because the books are related as that was a standalone nor am I making any kind of content comparisons but because today I'm still grieving but also preparing to find a job and dealing with health issue with my dad so I'm crippled in fear most days. Davidson King has once again given me moments of respite so that I can step outside my inner fear and yes, she has catapulted me into a fear-filled realistic fictional world but it is so entertaining and so heart-grabbing that it was a distraction from my reality fear. For all the fear Matt and Nick face you allowed me to recharge here and there and I can't thank you enough, Davidson King for those moments that allowed me to breathe.
I want to mention Matt and Nick but I don't want to spoil anything so all I'll say is I wanted to wrap Matt in a giant Mama Bear hug to protect him just as Nick does but I also wanted to shake him to make him listen to Nick and his family before things escalated too far. As for Nick, well how can you not love him? He has super mad computer skills, which come in handy in this case, and he just wants to protect Matt even before they connect. The Saint brothers may not see him as family at first, but as JJ's physical therapist helping him heal after what occurred in Kill Me Sweetly(book 2) Matt is as close as one can get without a romantic connection but not so much as they want to break the family rules of voting on interfering. Even vigilantes have a playbook😉.
I feel like I've descended into rambling here so I'll finish with this: Mine to Keep will hit you in all the feels that will keep you hooked till the end and guessing right to the reveal, I know I was wrong. A winner on all fronts.
Original Audiobook Review October 2025:
Once again I listened to an audiobook the same year I first read the ebook, definitely a rarity for me. That alone speaks volumes as to how much I love this series. I'm all for unicorn and roses when it comes to romance but if I'm completely honest with myself, dark elements make the romances even better. Well, Davidson King has a knack for just that style of storytelling.
As it's been with the other entries, Darcy Stark and Alexander Cendese bring not only the characters to life but they make the whole Saint Brothers universe realistic, so much so that I feel I'm not just a fly on the wall hearing Nick and Matt's journey but part of it. And as it always is with dual narration, I don't know which reads which part but it doesn't matter because they are all so authentically done it makes a great story a very pleasant listen. That statement sounds odd, saying "pleasant" in regards to the dark setting but it's true, it is so easy to listen to that it truly is the whole package.
What's Left of Me #4
Original Review June Book of the Month 2025:
What can I say about Saint Brothers #4, What's Left of Me, that could even come close to what I'm feeling? Those who follow me on SM or my reviews know that my life was turned upside down with the passing of my mother back in January. Some days are better than others, but to be perfectly honest, my stress levels and anxiety grow with every day as I try to navigate a new path forward as I attempt finding a job that allows me time to still care for my dad. This admission has nothing to do with Davidson King's book other than the story has given me an outlet for moments of relief and yet the stress makes my reviewing brain more clouded. So I want to put that out there in my hope this review comes out clear. The fact that it does give me moments of relief speaks the loudest to my enjoyment of this story.
Though I am part of the author's FB group, I always try to stay clear of her teaser Tuesday posts when I can, sometimes you just have to have a peak but in general, I like to be completely taken off guard when reading. Boy was I ever! I knew there was a serial killer element to the story waybackwhen, but I had no idea just what that would entail. I won't go into specifics, having been so unaware heightened the fear factor for me and I would never want to rob any reader of that same "WOW!" moments.
Before I talk about Noel and Phoenix, I want to mention that, even though What's Left of Me, is laden with dark moments, violence, and fear, I personally think the author's #3 Mine to Keep, is still the darkest and most soul-crushing entry as it dealt with both the subtlety and in your face effects of stalking. Having said that, just as I'm writing this review, I realized that the entire Saint Brothers series plays heavily into the psychological side and after effects of the crimes. Not sure how I missed that before this moment, because it's so clear to me now. Hindsight can be our biggest moment of clarity.
So, on to the men at the center of this amazing and disturbing story.
Phoenix. I loved how the author dealt with his fears. Through his inner monologue we have a fuller picture of what the serial killer did to him, or more significantly, what impact the vitriol he hammered into Phoenix has left on his psyche. Through his interactions with his sister, Hazel and gradually the Saint brothers, we see how it has affected his day to day emotions. As drawn to Noel Saint, Phoenix is, I think it's actually the interactions he has with the brothers' partners that begin to ground him and see that healing and overcoming trauma is doable. Don't get me wrong, this is a Phoenix and Noel story, but the author's use of the partners, though small in page-time, is huge in healing.
Noel. Him and his brother, Nick(the Saint star in Mine to Keep) are the computer nerds of the operation and the frustration with the non-tech family members are front and center of the humorous scenes of the story. Won't lie, there are not many comedic moments but these family funnies help balance the darkness and left a calming effect on me. I really love how he relies on Dr.Aziza when it comes to making sure Phoenix is protected and the best ways to approach certain factors. This is not something you often see in stories about revenge and physical protection, generally those who are doing the protecting are all about the do-now-think-later but not the Saint brothers, they get the importance of the survivor's mental health(I said "survivor", I don't like "victim"). Again, don't get me wrong, they are all about the doing but not without the thinking, for the most part😉.
Put these men together and you have a very powerful and rewarding love story that rounds out this psychological suspense thriller, creating a whole package of entertainment. What's Left of Me is oh so disturbingly yummy.
One last thing, for those wondering about reading order, I highly recommend reading Saint Brothers in order of release. Yes, each book is about a new brother and a separate crime but because the past entry's relationships play a huge found family part of each new story, everything just falls into place more realistically when read chronologically.
Original Audiobook Review November 2025:
I rarely listen to books in the same year I first read them, IMO that says more to how much I love this book(and series) than anything I could possibly add to my original review. Once again, the dual narration is perfect for this genre and Darcy Stark and Alexander Cendese capture the characters to a tee. Davidson King's words pulled me in and the narration kept me on the edge of my seat even though the book was still fresh in my mind from June's reading. So many powerful emotions from beginning to end
Last One Standing #5
Original Review September Book of the Month 2025:
Just, WOW!!! Last One Standing is a perfect title for this series finale. We finally get to see Angel's journey to HEA, and that's not a spoiler because no matter how dark, how much mayhem Davidson King puts her characters through, she always gives them what they deserve: love and joy.
I mentioned the perfect title and it's fit for the last single Saint but it also describes the fate the brothers may face. I won't touch on the plot too much, but as it has been all the way through, there is darkness to this tale. I may be a Jedi and light side of the Force lover but sometimes I enjoy a little dark with my romance too. I will say, yes, it's dark and a hard topic with potentially triggering effects for some, for me it's probably the least dark of the five. The domestic violence("domestic" might be pushing a bit as I don't feel Kona ever truly had the relationship feels in his heart but I can't think of a better word at the moment) is hard, is devastating, is not good to put it simply. However, I didn't quite feel the same levels of psychological terror in Last One Standing, it's there but not quite on the same level. Maybe that's just me. Having said that, it's not a bad thing to be a little less and it's definitely heart hurting and soul crushing at times just slightly "smoother around the edges".
As for Angel and Kona. Angel has always seemed to be the seen-but-not-heard brother. By that I mean, he's more action and a little less vocal in the first 4 entries, don't get me wrong, he speaks his mind just a little less than his brothers IMO. Here we get to see and hear his feelings, thoughts, and emotions which gives the reader a little more insight to a few of his scenes from the other books as well as his mindset here. Kona, what can I say about him without giving too much away? He has a heart of gold and a deep desire to protect his little brother, Pika, which is what puts him into the situation he finds himself in. Don't think I blame him for the danger and abuse he lives with because I don't, we all have to play the hand we're dealt and sometimes that means accepting help in the last place we want. Kona never expected things to spiral to where they went when he made the choices he did. I love how it's Pika that reaches out to help his big brother by taking that leap of faith with the Angel and his brothers.
I'm going to stop there before I give too much away, just know you won't be disappointed. If you've been following the Saint Brothers, then you definitely don't want to miss this finale and if you've been waiting to start till all 5 brothers' tales have been told, now you can begin and what a ride you're about to discover. Each entry is a different brother and has its own dark enemy but I personally can't imagine not reading this in order. There are characters and plot mentions from previous entries in each new book, the author does a wonderful job in filling in some details to refresh the reader's mind so you won't be truly lost but I think it's so much more enjoyable and easier to connect to the characters in order.
One last note, it doesn't seem possible that it's been nearly 3 years since we were first introduced to the Saint brothers in O Deadly Night: A Dark MM Charity Anthology. I'm so happy the author took her entry, Slay Ride, and expanded it into a full novel and this amazing series. I hate seeing this come to end but all things must, and who knows, maybe the brothers will have more tales to let the author in on down the road but for now, I will cherish these stories and enjoy reliving them for years to come both in ebook and audio.
Mine to Keep #3
Last One Standing #5
CHAPTER ONE
One Month Ago
Matt
“I’m so happy you finally agreed to come out with us.” Joan’s violet-painted lips were wide, her eyes glassy. She’d been drinking a lot since we arrived…which had been only an hour ago.
“Sorry. I wanted to hang sooner, but this new client, he was in bad shape. I had to be more hands-on than normal. The first month was a lot of recovery, but they still needed me there. By the end of every day, I was beat.”
She nodded. “Camie gave you that assault victim.” She snapped her fingers. “J something.”
“He’s a great guy—he’s come a long way. I know Camie gave him to me, thinking I’d quit when I found out it was in-house physical therapy, but it’s cool. Pay is amazing, and the house is gorgeous.”
“This the house with all those guys living there…brothers, right?” Lewis, who worked with me and Joan, came to the table with a cold beer.
“Saint brothers. Yep, that’s them.” I pursed my lips as I thought about those men.
It was a huge house, and they were all foster brothers except for the twins. Those two were blood related. I hadn’t seen a lot of them—mostly just my patient, JJ, and his boyfriend, Shepard. I’d been there every day, even the weekends, until recently. JJ was doing a lot better. Another month and he’d cut down to maybe two days a week.
Joan fanned herself. “That’s some serious hotness. They run that bakery, Saintly Sweets. Delicious food—even yummier owners.”
I rolled my eyes. “Joan, go dance and work off some of that…” I made a figure eight with my hand. “Whatever that is.”
She laughed, pulled Lewis up, and dragged him to the dance floor. The Alibi was our favorite club. I loved its diversity and while loud at times, there was never any drama, fights, or major issues.
“All alone?”
I looked up to see Darnell holding two drinks. “Joan forced Lewis to dance.”
Darnell sat and pushed one of the drinks over to me, then sipped his own. “They need to just fuck and be done with it.”
I guffawed. “Lord, no. That can’t happen.”
Darnell hummed. “She’d eat him alive.”
“True facts, my friend.”
Darnell, Joan, Lewis, and I worked at Rybelt Physical Therapy and Sports Management. Once a month, we’d get together at The Alibi and decompress. This was the first time I’d been able to join them since I’d started working with JJ.
“I gotta ask.” Darnell leaned forward. “What’s it really like being in a house with all those guys?” He jerked his head toward Joan and Lewis. “I heard them talking to you about it.”
I had to be careful. While Darnell was my closest friend at work—hell, we’d dated for a few months a while back—I still had to maintain privacy.
“It’s different. I hadn’t done live-in therapy before, so if I’m being honest, it took me more time to adjust to that than to get to know any of them.”
“Well, what’s a typical day for you?”
I sipped my drink, wondering what I could say to appease him. “Get up, eat, then usually meet JJ. We do morning routines, break, and after that do afternoon ones. In the evening, it’s mostly massage and relaxation—things like that. Then I pass out.”
He nodded. “Was that why Tony and you broke up, you not being around?”
I snorted, thinking about that asshole. “No. I mean, it wasn’t the final straw for him, but Tony and I were never going to work. He was demanding, a serious control freak, and closed-minded.”
“How so?” Darnell cocked his head.
“About two weeks before I’d started working for JJ, I came out of the shower and he was looking at one of my photo albums. And not just any—the one Trinity made me.”
“You just had that laying out there?”
“Nope. It was in my closet. But that’s the least of it. He pointed to a picture of Trinity and said, what’s that?”
“That?” Darnell whistled.
“Mmmhmm. Trinity was dressed up in one of their awesome creations, and I told Tony they were my ex, Trinity. He slammed the book closed and yelled that he thought I was gay.”
Darnell held his hands up. “Whoa, he looked at Trinity and…I don’t get it.”
“You know how Trinity hates labels: pangender, nonbinary. I told him Trinity was fluid, didn’t conform to one gender, and in this picture Trin was wearing a dress and makeup.”
“And he thought they were a woman?”
I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter; I didn’t feed into it. I just told him that I never said I was gay, and that I was, in fact, pansexual. Then I explained that Trinity was nonbinary, and did my best to educate him as well as I could. He shook his head and was all, ‘No, there’s only straight, gay, or lesbian.’ ”
“No, he did not!” Darnell pressed a palm to his chest.
“Oh, he did, and I explained that he needed to go home because if he felt that way, we weren’t a good fit.”
Darnell slapped the table. “Good on you. How’d that go?”
I chuckled. “We broke up, remember?”
“Shit…well, you dodged a bullet with him. What a dickhead.”
“For sure.” I drained my drink and stood. “I’m going to get another. I’d like to be drunk tonight.”
Darnell beamed. “Fuck, yeah. That’s why we Ubered it here. Go get all the alcohol.”
I headed to the bar to order myself and Darnell the next round of drinks since he’d gotten the last. While I waited, I scanned the club. Lewis and Joan were really going at it…Hmm, maybe they should fuck and get it over with.
“Here you go.” The bartender slid the drinks to me, and I tossed him a twenty.
For the next hour or so, I drank, danced, and drank some more. I had nowhere to be tomorrow, and I was going to stay in bed in my apartment. It was nice to have weekends back.
“Shots!” Lewis shouted.
“I’ll go up with you.” I followed Lewis cautiously. Seriously, the floor moved when my feet touched it.
“Four Nasty Nipples,” he ordered, and I glared at him.
“What the fuck is that?” I thought that was what came out of my mouth, but judging by the look on Lewis’s face, maybe not.
“Hey.”
I spun around…too fast actually, and stumbled. Steady hands gripped my arms. “Careful there.” The man’s voice was low and gravelly.
“Sorry.”
“I got him,” Lewis said as he tried to pull me away.
“I don’t need to be gotten.”
The stranger smiled with perfectly straight white teeth. Oh, he was lovely. “You carry the drinks; I can walk…what’s your name?”
“Matt.”
“I can walk Matt back.”
“Fine.”
We followed behind Lewis. No one else was at the table; I could see them on the dance floor.
Lewis took his shot and faced me. “I’m gonna let them know their shots are here.” He pointed at the stranger. “I’ll just be a minute.”
The guy chuckled. “He’s protective.”
I looked at the man. He was tall, built, and I tried to focus on his face but couldn’t really. “Wanna make out?”
The man grinned even wider. “Very much.”
I couldn’t believe that had worked. “Come on, fast, before Lewis returns.”
I dragged Hottie Stranger with me toward the bathroom. There wasn’t a great place for any quickies at The Alibi, so a stall would have to do. We were halfway down the hallway when I heard someone call my name.
We stopped and I turned to see a figure walking our way. There was something familiar about him.
“Matt, hey.”
“Hi?”
“You know this guy?” Hottie Stranger asked…and that was annoying.
“What’s your name?” I squinted so I could focus on his pretty face.
He smirked. “Steve.”
I was staring at him, feeling all warm and gooey inside, and then my bubble burst.
“Mattie, what’s up?”
Mattie, literally nobody called me that.
“Who are you calling Mattie?” I squinted at the man…Oh, he was pretty too. So many gorgeous specimens. He truly was familiar. I knew him from somewhere.
“Sorry, dude, I’m not letting you take him to the bathroom to do whatever it is you think you’re about to do.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but Steve beat me to it. “I’d never do anything without consent, Matt invited me.”
Hottie-familiar-man quirked a brow…I think. “An inebriated person.” He eyed me from head to toe. “A very inebriated person invited you? Anytime someone is this drunk, there’s no consent.”
“Who are you to police his choices?”
This was right out of a fantasy. Two delicious guys fighting over little old me. I leaned against the wall…Oh, it was nice and cool.
“He can barely stand, shitdick, so if you want to keep your legs, face, and arms intact, I suggest you piss right the fuck off!” Familiar man was winning.
“Fuck this. No one is worth this drama.” Steve glared at me and stormed off.
“Bye, Steve,” I yelled, then ogled the hottie blond. “So, you win…Do I get my surprise?” I reached for his belt, but he backed away.
“I’m taking you home.”
“Pardon me? I mean…did I say pardon? Did that come out right?”
“Jesus,” he mumbled. “Come on, Matt, I already told your friends I’d take you home.”
“Who are you? They’d never let a stranger whisk me away to the whatevers.”
“It’s Nick, Matt. Nick Saint. You’ve been staying at our house for five months, and you can’t recognize me? You’re trashed. Let’s go.” He went to grab me, but I pulled away.
This of course made me spin, the room spin…my stomach spin, and that was when I threw up all over Nick.
What's Left of Me #4
PROLOGUE
BNN News Outlet: “The body of a woman appearing to be in her early twenties was found today in Reisling Field at around seven this morning. Sources are saying she was dressed as what they can only assume was a doll. Dead flowers surrounded her body, and moving her has been difficult. More information on this story as it comes to light.”
One month later
BNN News Outlet: “A startling discovery came this morning when the body of a young man was found beside Franklin Fountain. Much like Kimberly Henning, who was found last month in Reisling Field, he was dressed to look like a doll—or puppet. Dead flowers surrounded his body. As we found out after Kimberly’s autopsy a few weeks ago, the bones in her body were broken and it’s assumed the same here and that whoever killed her is likely behind this death as well. More to come.”
One month later
BNN News Outlet: “It was a frightening morning as yet another body was found, killed the same way as Kimberly Henning and Richard Bells: dressed as a doll or puppet, posed on the ground, with dead flowers surrounding his body. A woman jogging in Billings Park came upon the man a little after six a.m. The mayor and police commissioner are holding a press conference this afternoon at Town Hall. This is the third victim of what the media is referring to as The Broken-Doll Killer, while others are calling them the Marionette Maker. What we’ve uncovered is that before their discoveries, Kimberly Henning and Richard Bells had been missing for six months to the day, and every bone in their bodies had been broken postmortem. What did these victims suffer through in their months of captivity? And will the authorities catch this serial killer before they strike again?”
Two Months Later
BNN News Outlet: “This morning, at about seven thirty, the body of Rochelle Hammer was detected, displayed just as Kimberly Henning, Richard Bells, and Henry Miller were. After no bodies were uncovered last month, we all held on to hope that the brutal murders had ended. Sadly, that’s not the case. Rochelle Hammer’s body was found by a staff member outside the main entrance of Mayfield Children’s Museum. She was dressed as a puppet and was surrounded by dead flowers. What we know so far about The Broken-Doll Killer is that they take their victims, hold them for six months to the day, and then display them publicly in a haunting manner, bones broken, yet made to look perfect. Authorities have no leads, and the only connection anyone seems to have found regarding these victims is that they were all in their early twenties, in very good shape, and they were what many are referring to as beautiful people. Who is killing these young, beautiful, vibrant people? The mayor will speak tonight at Town Hall at six p.m.”
Three weeks Later
BNN News Outlet: “A remarkable rescue happened this afternoon. Two hikers came across a shack in the mountains, where they’d hurried in to escape a sudden rainstorm. Inside, they stumbled upon a man who’d been reported missing a little over three months ago. That is all the information being released at this time; for his safety, the man’s name won’t be announced. And what are they protecting him from? Sources say this young man was kidnapped by The Broken-Doll Killer. This is the biggest break in the case, and authorities hope this young man can help them finally put an end to these heinous murders.”
Last One Standing #5
CHAPTER ONE
ANGEL
I lived in a house with nine other people, and finding peace wasn’t easy, so when I came home from running an errand to a blessedly quiet house, I wanted to cry with joy. I loved every one of my brothers—which included Four—and their partners, but being able to sit down in the living room with a mug of coffee, a book, and silence was a rare commodity.
I rushed to the kitchen, vigilant as ever that one of them could pop up and ruin the bubble of silence. I placed a pod in the coffeemaker and while that was dripping, I went to my room to snag the book I’d been reading.
Five minutes later, I was sitting on the plush couch, drinking my java, and reading my book. This was a little slice of heaven.
“People!”
And now it was shattered.
“Where are all the people?” JJ chuckled. “Anyone catch my Drusilla impression from Buffy?” He was shouting, and no one was answering back.
If everyone was upstairs, they wouldn’t because their bedrooms were all soundproofed. There was no way I was getting away without JJ seeing me. I wasn’t in his sight yet but—
“Oh, Angel…good, good.”
“Hi, JJ.”
“Why are you so glum? Oh, wait. It’s a day ending in Y—never mind.”
“I try to like you, but you make it hard.”
JJ beamed and he turned to yell again. “Where is everyone?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care. They aren’t here, and I was enjoying the blissful silence, but I guess dreams are made to be pulverized into the dirt when you’re around.”
JJ narrowed his eyes. “You’re extra pissy today. What’s wrong?” Of course, he decided to sit next to me. “Tell JJ. I can help you.”
“I’m fine.”
“Mmhmm. You know who says they’re fine?” He quirked a brow.
“People who are fine?”
He blew a raspberry and lightly slapped my knee. “Funny guy. People who are in fact not fine.”
“I’m not doing this with you. Why are you looking for everyone?”
JJ pursed his lips and stared at me for a second, eventually sighing. “Keep your secrets, whatever. I was looking for everyone because I have a surprise.”
“You’ll probably have to wait until dinner. You know how they all scatter.”
He nodded. “Yeah, but it’s really quiet.”
“Which is why I was taking advantage of it.”
JJ smiled. “Okay, I’ll let you be, but I’m calling a family meeting. Don’t go far—it’ll be right before dinner.”
“Can’t wait,” I deadpanned.
When he left I could’ve gone back to my book, but that was not how things worked here in this house. He would be the first domino. I closed my book but remained seated, drinking my coffee, and waited.
Two minutes later the door opened, and Gabe and Mason walked in.
“I don’t understand, Gabe. You paid for the ultimate cleaning service for your car, but you vacuumed it yourself. It’s literally part of the package.”
“He was doing it wrong.” Gabe shrugged, and Mason rolled his eyes. Then he saw me.
“Hey, Angel, what’s up?”
“JJ is calling a family meeting to take place right before dinner.”
Mason’s brow furrowed, and he looked at his watch. “That’s in like, an hour. You’re going to sit there until it’s time?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
He slowly nodded and grabbed Gabe’s hand. “Let’s leave this room, babe. Angel is being weird.”
Gabe snorted. “He’s always weird.”
I shot him the middle finger and watched as they walked up the stairs.
Next was Matt, followed by Nick, Four, Shep, Phoenix, and Noel. And soon enough the house was a cacophony of sounds, and not too long after that, the aroma of Shep’s and JJ’s cooking filled the air.
So much for quiet. I stood and went to my room to drop off my book, then to the kitchen to put my mug in the dishwasher.
I leaned against the doorjamb and watched the controlled chaos. Shep was at the stove with JJ next to him, grinning at whatever he was saying. Noel and Phoenix were at the table snapping green beans while Nick periodically grabbed one to eat, earning a smack from Matt. Mason and Gabe were peeling potatoes and playfully arguing about their car-wash situation earlier. And finally, there was Four. He was in the corner, phone in hand, his eyes on me.
When I met his gaze he lifted a brow. He was observant; JJ was too. I was bothered, uneasy, and possibly a little depressed.
Ever since Two had moved away with his family, I hadn’t been able to shake this mood. I hadn’t truly felt anything for anyone until him, and I’d thought the feeling was mutual. But as soon as he’d heard he had a family that wanted to get to know him, I’d ceased to exist.
Aziza had explained it to me. “You want a relationship with someone who barely knows who he is. His whole life, he has been a hostage—someone designed to manipulate others and kill them. Two is years away from growing a romantic attachment, and he may never. Letting him go is the best thing you could do for him right now.”
So, I did. I’d put on a happy face, told him I was proud of him, watched him get into the car with family he didn’t know and drive away.
“Everything is simmering; I need to talk to you all.” JJ broke through my memory, and I looked over at him. “We can do it here; everyone is accounted for.”
“What’s up?” Nick sat back and offered JJ an encouraging smile.
“Okay, so, you all remember when that new fancy club opened up a couple of months ago?” JJ was practically vibrating with excitement.
“There’s a new club?” Matt asked.
JJ huffed. “It’s called Stilettos and Sangria, ring any bells?”
Everyone shook their heads except Phoenix. “Oh, yeah! It’s a drag queen club, right?”
JJ beamed. “Thank you, Phoenix, yes!”
Phoenix turned to Noel. “It’s that place I told you where it’s ridiculously hard to get a reservation—apparently, the headliner has really drawn a crowd, and it’s so impossible to get in.”
“Which brings me to my surprise!” JJ shouted and Phoenix gasped. “No, don’t ruin my thunder.” He pointed to Phoenix.
Phoenix mimed zipping his lips, but he was bouncing. I hated that I had a feeling I knew what was about to come out of JJ’s mouth.
“I was able to get us all a reservation for this Friday night!”
Yup, I was right.
“Ah!” Phoenix jumped up and was clapping. Everyone else was a mix of emotions—some were happy, others either wide-eyed or indifferent, simply shrugging.
“Isn’t that family night?” Matt asked.
“Yes. It’s why I tried for a Friday. It’s the only night you all have to be here, so I knew it wouldn’t conflict with any plans or work.” Judging by his smug expression, JJ was clearly proud of himself.
“What if we don’t want to go?” We all turned to where Four was sitting. He stared unblinkingly at JJ.
“Why wouldn’t you want to go, Four?” JJ leaned his hip against the counter. “It’s supposedly an amazing show.”
“It’ll be loud, and I don’t like crowds all that much.”
JJ bit his bottom lip, but I was sure he’d convince Four. “I got us a roped-off area in the VIP section purposely because I had a feeling you’d hate being smushed by people you wouldn’t know, and there are a lot of us.”
“How’d you manage this if the place is so hard to get into?” Gabe wondered.
“I have my ways.” JJ winked. “I really think this will be so much fun.” He sighed. “Do we need to vote on it?”
“No.” Shep dropped the wooden spoon he had in his hand loudly. “You did something nice for all of us—we don’t vote on gifts.” Shep narrowed his eyes at each of us. “Do we?”
No one responded, so I figured I would. “We’ll all go. If it’s too much on Four, then we’ll deal with it when and if it happens.”
JJ’s eyes widened. “Wow, thanks, Angel. I appreciate you’re willing to give this a try.”
I lifted my shoulder. “I like theater and musicals—how different could it be?”
The room went completely silent, and I hung my head. It was going to be completely different.
Davidson King, always had a hope that someday her daydreams would become real-life stories. As a child, you would often find her in her own world, thinking up the most insane situations. It may have taken her awhile, but she made her dream come true with her first published work, Snow Falling.
She managed to wrangle herself a husband who matched her crazy and they hatched three wonderful children.
If you were to ask her what gave her the courage to finally publish, she’d tell you it was her amazing family and friends. Support is vital in all things and when you’re afraid of your dreams, it will be your cheering section that will lift you up.
EMAIL: davidsonkingauthor@yahoo.com
Mine to Keep #3
What's Left of Me #4
Last One Standing #5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)