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Review

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this novella. Set in Kit Rocha’s dirty dystopian world, it’s a glimpse into Sector Four and life with the O’Kanes from characters that sit outside the core group of the Gang. Because of that, it has a bit of a different feel to it while still being set in the world that I love, with most of the previous main characters get some page time. Plus, it’s a really nice (HOT!) romance.

Derek Ford is a member of Dallas O’Kane’s gang. He’s all in and works hard, but he doesn’t get involved in all of the sexing that his fellow O’Kanes indulge in with great openness and frequency. He is also on the more serious side of things – gruff and brooding after an accident left him with a damaged leg and in constant pain.

Mia is newly arrived in Sector Four after escaping life as a “virginal whore” in Sector Two, where she was owned and used by a patron who bought her for the privilege. She is an intelligent girl and is determined to fight for a new and better life for herself, and she revels in the freedom that she is experiencing for the first time in her life.

When Lex sets Mia up to work as Ford’s assistant, it doesn’t take long for sparks to fly. There’s all sorts of dirty thoughts and sexy banter, and though he initially tries to fight it, Ford starts get protective of Mia, surprising himself by wanting to take care of her. In return, her happiness and hopefulness starts to bring some light back into his life, and together they start to open up to each other and real feelings start to develop.

“I feel like I’ve been alone forever.”
“Do you feel alone here? Now?”
“Not when you’re touching me.”
“Then I won’t stop.”

As always in this series, sex and debauchery goes hand in hand with the unfolding romance, and Ford and Mia are no different. They are not as kinkerific as other couples in the series, but the sex is still sizzling hot with lots of dirty talk, as well as being very passionate and emotional.

“Tonight,” he whispered. “Let me show you.” “Anything.” She shivered as he stripped her shirt away, but not with nerves. When her gaze met his again, he saw only hunger and need.
“God, Derek. Everything. I want you to show me everything.”

But Mia’s new life is more dangerous than she could have imagined, and her ties to her old life aren’t prepared to let her go so easily, and it all combines to bring some angst to the story as she and Ford try to navigate that as well as everything that is unfolding between them. There’s a lot going on and things move very quickly for them, but it’s a short read so I wasn’t exactly expecting it to be drawn out, and it all flows together really well.

I really liked the opportunity to look at the O’Kane’s from the perspective of an outsider. Yes, they’re a bunch of kinky, sexed-up perverts, but they are a family, and that comes through really strongly in this one.

Strength. Tenderness. Holding her close without holding her down. That was the promise of Dallas O’Kane, of all the O’Kanes.
She was starting to believe it.

I really enjoyed it – 3.5 stars.

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