*sigh* Stefan is a douche-nozzle. I really don't like sarcastic bastards when somebody is hurting. Save that stuff for happier moments. ( )

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review

R.J. Scott has done it again. I am so in love with this series it is crazy. More characters get added to the BI universe, and I adore them all. Stefan is Kyle's old flame, former CIA partner, and friend. After the big case that goes down in the last book, Stefan is laying low and taking on odd jobs for Kyle and BI. While finishing up a routine easy job, he sees suspicious behavior and finds a man getting beaten up. Of course Stefan can't let it go, so he helps out the man and the two kids he ended up having hidden.

Kirby has his niece and nephew and are trying to get them safe after they witness their father get stabbed. He has trouble trusting anyone, but there is something about Stefan that makes Kirby feel a bit more safe than he was. Watching Stefan, Kirby, and the kids together was great. I'm a sucker for books with kids in them. I liked the way the 7 year old nephew was portrayed-he was much older than his age because he was used to protecting and helping his 4 year old sister. It seemed very realistic based on the back story of the family.

I loved getting a glimpse at the other BI guys and their men. And it wouldn't be a BI book without a mention of a stapler. Love it! ( )

Stefan, the CIA agent "on temporary leave until things cool down" from the previous book, is still in the UK and taking temporary jobs for Bodyguards, Inc. Trouble soon finds him in the form of Kirby, who is trying to protect his four-year-old niece Louise and his seven-year-old nephew Andy from "bad men" who are after the kids' father. Stefan's protective instincts take over, and I don't think even he suspects how much these three people are going to change his life. At least not at first...

"Run and hide" has been Kirby's motto for a long time, ever since his overly religious parents kicked him out of their house for being gay. But trying to protect two young children while he is at it, and facing three goons who have no scruples at all and already almost killed Kirby's brother is a whole different story. Kirby is proud and independent, has had to be, but slowly he begins to realize he needs help. And Stefan, capable and strong,may just be the man for the job - as well as the guy to conquer Kirby's well-protected heart.

Stefan is not the emotional type - not that I expected that, him being CIA and all. But Kirby and the children, and the way they courageously stick together no matter what, touch a place in Stefan's heart he never knew existed. I loved seeing him learn how to deal with the emotions as he learns what Kirby needs and how to give the little impromptu family what they need; not just in terms of physical security but also in terms of emotional stability.

If you like protective uncles and secretive CIA agents who learn how to take care of a family, if two men trying to figure out what's next are your thing, and if you're looking for a read about love in unexpected places, then you will probably like this novella as much as I did.


NOTE: This book was provided by Love Lane Books for the purpose of a review. ( )