L.J. Hayward

Where Death Meets the Devil

Ten hours ago, Jack Reardon completed the messiest case of his career. Lucky to get through it with his life and a promotion, all he wants to do is catch up on missed sleep. Which won't happen thanks to a bothersome house-invasion from assassin extraordinaire, Ethan Blade--who is also the reason he almost lost his life and job . . .This Coda for "Where Death Meets the Devil" follows immediately after the ending of the novel and is best read afterwards as it does contain spoilers.

Coda

Devil in the Details

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 Jack drowning in secrets. He'll have to do what he does best--unravel the secrets, including Ethan's--to stop the killer and save the life he and Ethan have only just begun to build.**Content Warning**Child abuse and child sexual abuse in a character's history and not depicted directly on the page.

Why the Devil Stalks Death

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 table for both men, maybe bigger than they even realize, if only they can renegotiate--and survive.

When the Devil Drives

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 ever-evolving not-a-relationship without losing the benefit of the bargain.

L.J. Hayward

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