“Leave Me Behind”, KM Moronova
Published November 6, 2024
Nell Gallows is the sole survivor of an elite dark forces squad, Riøt, after a detrimental attack two years ago. Unsurprisingly, she’s being put up as the top candidate for the special ops team: Malum. The squad that goes where no one else will or can. There’s only one problem: Malum blames their one casualty from the Patagonia mission on the Riøt squad.
So what is she to do when she finds herself on a plane to California and on her way to a sure death sentence? A one-night stand. At least, that’s all it was supposed to be—one last night to be free. Only, she finds out too late that the dark and mysterious man she solely wanted as a fling is not only her new comrade but also the one she dreaded meeting most—her immediate superior and untouchable devil in the field. Bones.
He’s hell on earth—cruel and unforgiving, but most of all, he hates her, and he makes sure she knows it. And yet, she finds herself unwilling to leave his side when he’s unable to get to the evac point when their mission goes awry.
She stays behind with the devil and the secrets he keeps. They only have one another to trust when no faith is left.
“Who taught you to beg for death just because you were a device?”
I found this book on Bookstagram, fell in love with two versions of the cover, and sought it out the same day. I have never been more grateful for Booksta.
Nell and Bradshaw (aka Bones) were enemies from the moment she tripped on him and his twin brother on the plane. But they were also feral for each other. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a rusty KA-BAR.
He’s dark, dangerous, and rough; she’s fierce, guarded, and ready to kick her squad’s asses. But their chemistry is sinfully unholy. Every interaction, good or bad, is basically foreplay. He’s not a nice guy, which is fine, because she can handle herself so well. She’s not just a fighter—she’s a legit assassin.
And don’t even get me started on Eren, his twin brother and her sergeant. I wish this was a why-choose, because their interactions sizzled as well. Someone get me a fan.
CHECK OUT: I’ll Come For You in the Dark by AJLynne. This is a Reylo fic and is free to read on AO3. Half the reason I picked up this book, besides the gorgeous cover, was because the summary reminded me of this fic. They are the same vibe.
Content Warnings
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of content and trigger warnings.
violence • sexual content • gun violence • bullying • sexual assault • toxic relationship
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