Dealing in Death

Dealing in Death

L. J. Hayward

L. J. Hayward

Ethan Blade—assassin extraordinaire, cold-blooded killer, heartless monster, and . . . retiree?I've spent my whole life dealing in death, efficiently eliminating targets while fighting to preserve a sense of self and morality, to avoid becoming as detached and ruthless as my siblings. I thought I had succeeded. Then I met Jack Reardon—contrary, handsome, forgiving, and far too good for the likes of me—and my life was tipped upside down. When he asked me to move in with him, he didn't specify that I had to quit my job, but I wanted to—for myself, not for him. I should have known it wouldn't be that easy.My old instincts—"Ethan Blade"—are soon tempted out of retirement by a job offer I can't afford to refuse and by an old hook-up of Jack's he'd be a fool to refuse. While falling prey to my own temptation, Jack struggles with his. Which is precisely when the true danger exposes itself—one of my siblings with no such sense of...
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When the Devil Drives

When the Devil Drives

L. J. Hayward

L. J. Hayward

Work-life balance for a spy may be an oxymoron, but Jack Reardon likes a good challenge. And he's almost bested this one. He's settled into his Meta-State promotion as a field leader and into his new team with a second he can trust. Shop in order, he can take a day or two off when Ethan blows into town, their bargain finally starting to paying off.Assassin Ethan Blade has few pleasures in his life—a decent cup of tea, a job well done, racing his fleet of supercars, and Jack. With plans to combine the last two into one thrilling weekend, Ethan's attempt at having a normal, happy life may deliver everything he's ever desired—or backfire spectacularly.Jack and Ethan made a bargain, but the deal is thrown into jeopardy when the expectations and identities of the dealmakers shift—stoking the fires of doubt and jealously. Not to mention a contract killer out for revenge and an illness that threatens to reveal closely guarded secrets. Rewards are on the...
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Why the Devil Stalks Death

Why the Devil Stalks Death

L. J. Hayward

L. J. Hayward

Jack Reardon uncovers secrets for a living, and the Meta-State spy is pretty good at it. Or rather he thought so until he met Ethan Blade—assassin, warrior, enigma. The unlikely pair have decided to give living together a shot, but Jack's not entirely certain what he's gotten himself into—or exactly who he's in it with.Jack's worries are compounded when he's assigned to a police strike force hunting a serial killer. With each new puzzle piece, Jack considers the true nature of a serial killer—and how similar it is to an assassin. To one particular assassin who's having trouble adjusting to retirement. Jack's unsure how to help Ethan—or if he even can.When the killer strikes close to home, Jack must race against the clock to stop another murder, despite the price someone has put on his head. Could the matters be connected? Is a certain assassin at the centre of both? Surrounded by killers, the only one Jack wants near disappears, leaving...
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Bargaining with the Devil

Bargaining with the Devil

L. J. Hayward

L. J. Hayward

Meta-State spy Jack Reardon believes it's all been taken care of. He has his verbal agreement with his boss to "keep Blade happy," and Jack is more than willing to do his best in that regard. He also has his bargain with Ethan, to keep seeing each other whenever they cross paths. Small victories, interspersed with exploding bombs, smashed cars and miffed co-workers, all while consorting with an international assassin.Contract killer Ethan Blade values his security, and Jack's the first time he's found that with another person. Wiring a warehouse or outback shelter for safety, no problem. Keeping safe a prickly ex-soldier-turned-spy who's a magnet for trouble, not so easy. Instead of faceless, nameless jobs, he's poking his fingers into Jack's cases—a car bomb gone awry, a Hen party gone wild—much to Jack's mounting dismay.They have a deal; neither one of them can seem to stick to it. It's Jack versus Ethan as the two men learn to navigate their...
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Devil in the Details

Devil in the Details

L. J. Hayward

L. J. Hayward

If there's one thing assassin Ethan Blade knows, it's how to plan a job. How to study a target, find the weak spot, and strike. He keeps his guns clean, his knives sharp, and his heart sealed away behind more locks than his precious cars. Alone but safe. Until Jack Reardon burrowed his way into Ethan's life, his car, and his heart. This may just be the deadliest mess he can't plan his way out of.Jack wasn't sure he'd see Ethan again—not after the less-than-stellar ends to their previous hookups. Even finding the assassin skulking about his apartment isn't as reassuring as it should be, especially when he works out Ethan's motive for being there might not be personal. That said, Jack will take any chance he can to salvage their relationship, assuming he survives whatever plan Ethan is cooking up.Ethan and Jack had a bargain, but the parameters changed and neither are certain how to move forward—together or apart. But before they can start to...
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Rock Paper Sorcery

Rock Paper Sorcery

L. J. Hayward

L. J. Hayward

Sorcery, an arcane mystical power wielded by white-bearded old men with fancy sticks? Or just another pain in Matt Hawkins' neck? Matt knows which he would prefer, which is more likely, and that they're not the same thing...Life's looking up for Brisbane's only badarse, supernatural-battling warrior. There's been a distinct lack of marauding Old World baddies and no noticeable interference from demons. Just a nice steady stream of 'small' jobs to keep Matt and the tame vampire, Mercy, in home, food and clothes. And when PI Erin McRea contracts them for a sting, Matt's happy to oblige. It is, after all, easy money.Naturally, nothing goes according to plan. Erin's mark dies in highly suspicious circumstances and Matt earns the ire of an ex-NRL player with a grudge and fists of stone. Then there's Randy Devantier—Texan, sorcerer and all round badarse... er, badass. Dev's looking for a rogue sorcerer, a stolen spell and a local guide. Between dodging rampaging footballers, a vampire...
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When Death Frees the Devil

When Death Frees the Devil

L. J. Hayward

L. J. Hayward

Ethan is finally free. He's left the Cabal behind and embraced a civilian life with Jack, the man he loves. The only problem is that the Cabal isn't willing to let him go. A call in the middle of the night and a threat to Jack's family, and Ethan is back in the game. The only way out is to take on the organization that spent years warping his life.Jack's boyfriend has a way of vanishing on him, but this time Ethan's disappearance is more frightening than ever. A trail of mysterious clues, a hit against his family, and the handprint of the Cabal on everything means the greatest test of love and determination Jack has ever endured.Torn apart by forces greater than they are, Jack and Ethan must fight harrowing battles to get back to each other. The Cabal is the greatest foe either of them has had to face. Ethan is willing to throw away everything to bring an end to the Cabal's evil. And Jack is willing to do the same to make sure Ethan comes out the other side...
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Where Death Meets the Devil

Where Death Meets the Devil

L. J. Hayward

L. J. Hayward

Jack Reardon, former SAS soldier and current Australian Meta-State asset, has seen some messy battles. But "messy" takes on a whole new meaning when he finds himself tied to a chair in a torture shack, his cover blown wide open, all thanks to notorious killer-for-hire Ethan Blade.Blade is everything Jack doesn't believe in: remorseless, detached, lawless. Yet, Jack's only chance to survive is to strike a bargain with the devil and join forces with Blade. As they trek across a hostile desert, Jack learns that Blade is much more than a dead-eyed killer — and harder to resist than he should be.A year later, Jack is home and finally getting his life on track. Then Ethan Blade reappears and throws it all into chaos once more. It's impossible to trust the assassin, especially when his presence casts doubts on Jack's loyalty to his country, but Jack cannot ignore what Blade's return means: the mess that brought them together is far from over, and Ethan might just bring...
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Dead Bones

Dead Bones

L. J. Hayward

L. J. Hayward

When is a war not a war? Never, in Bone Mage Gabriel’s opinion. The others could call it whatever they liked, but to Gabe, spending every day healing soldier after dying soldier, war was the only name for the insanity happening all around him. Honestly, what could be worse than watching the folk he’d just healed head right back into the fight? Gabe should have known better than to ask…
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Blood Work

Blood Work

L. J. Hayward

L. J. Hayward

Matt Hawkins kills monsters for a living. Slay and pay. Werewolves, trolls, the occasional ghoul that gets a bit too big for its grave; but basically, whatever nasty critter crosses his path. Mostly, he kills vampires. While he’d made something of a living out of it, he doesn't even need the promise of cash to take down a vampire. Sure, it’s a nice bonus, but vampires are his personal crusade.
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