Series: After Everything, Book One
Author: Liz Borino
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: 06/07/2021
Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 67100
Genre:
Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, contemporary, family-drama, military, war, violence,
terrorists, disabilities, amputee, bartender, Dom/sub relationship, domestic
discipline, OCD
Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58044075-no-flag
Book Description
Captain Mike Kelley does not ignore his intuition, so when sexy bartender Will Hayes captures his heart, Mike embarks on a mission to win him over to a Domestic Discipline relationship. Will accepts with one caveat: Mike must promise not to renew his army contract.
Mike agrees, until the army invokes the stop-loss military policy to involuntarily extend his commission and send him back overseas, rendering him powerless and threatening everything he and Will have built. Will, left alone to cope with a new café, must rely on the support of old friends who may no longer be trustworthy.
A horrific terrorist attack on Mike’s outpost changes everything, leaving them both at a loss.
Mike awakens in a hospital with a devastating injury and no recollection of the attack. As the only survivor, his memory may be the key to national security. Mike struggles to cope with his injury and Will struggles with his new role in Mike’s life.
For Mike and Will, “No Flag” meant “come home alive.”
Will has Mike back rather than a folded flag, but in the aftermath of war, can
they rebuild the life they had before?
The
Video-Exclusive Excerpt
Mike pulled
him close and kissed from his cheekbone to his lips. “I love you too. I meant
what I said about dodging punishments though.”
Will allowed
their lips to linger for a moment before asking, “Speaking of punishments,
should I prepare for one because I snapped earlier?”
“No, because
I get it, and I told Dr. Berman I was just as angry. I wish I could share
everything about that night, but I can’t.” For a second, Mike tensed. Will
didn’t move as Mike’s chest heaved with the intake and release of air. The
tension dissipated. “Then again, it isn’t a burden you need.”
Turning
around to embrace him, Will kissed Mike’s neck, the salty sweat fusing lips and
skin together. He moved his head to Mike’s right shoulder. Their eyes locked.
“No one needs it, but I would take it to give you a break.” Will sucked the
moisture from his bottom lip and added, “Besides, I already know most of it.”
Mike gave
him the you’re-adorable smile he used when Will said something
ridiculous. “The mainstream media is not exactly the source of truth it prides
itself on being.”
“Yes, I
realize that, but when I saw the news report, I went digging for more
information.” Will wondered if he made the right decision in telling Mike as he
scrutinized Will’s face.
“What did
you find?”
“A video of
the insurgents—I guess it was after the bomb—looting, mocking, and desecrating
the bodies.” He did not want to say he’d watched the enemy cut off Major
Evans’s head. “I was looking for you. I had to hear more than Fox News blaming
the Democrats, and MSNBC blaming the Republicans.”
“The bastard
with the camera got away!” Mike took a few steps from Will, who now knew he
picked a bad time to tell his husband. Mike’s strides became purposeful as he
wore the carpet down alongside the bed.
“They didn’t
all?”
“Not unless
our guys have really shitty aim. I heard three gunshots while waiting for my
rescuers.” Mike suddenly shut his mouth. “Damn it! I hate that we can’t have a
conversation about this.”
Will watched
him closely. Mike acted no differently than when frustrated by an inability to
do things he always had. Good. I know how
to deal with this. “Okay.” Will approached him and took his hand. “I’m
sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I was only letting you know you wouldn’t
shock me. Let’s shower.”
Mike hugged
him once more and they started toward the bathroom together, but Mike stopped.
“We can’t. I need to see that video.”
“Mike,
you’ve been through enough today. You don’t want to see that.”
“You’re
right. I don’t. But if it’s what you say it is, I need to report it
immediately.” Mike sat on the bed.
Will
unpacked his computer and set it next to Mike. He held the top closed. “I don’t
think—”
His
husband’s gaze was detached, signaling to Will that no amount of reasoning
would work. “You don’t need to think. Pull up the video.”
Slowly, Will
complied and flicked his attention between Mike and the screen. The video began
with blackness and static. Then a lantern shone in front of the camera,
illuminating the debris on the ground.
“Is the
sound disabled?” Mike never took his eyes from the computer.
“No sound.” Probably better that way. The camera
jolted as the men stepped over shattered glass and fallen walls. Will watched
Mike’s throat constrict when the insurgents entered what must have at one time
been the control room. The video showed nothing but broken furniture on top of
even more broken bodies. Men tore off soldiers’ uniforms, taking money and
weapons.
Mike’s
stoicism crumbled as the insurgents stepped on Major Evans’s corpse. He covered
his mouth when they took apart her computer and extracted the hard drive. At
the appearance of the chainsaw, Mike ran to the bathroom and vomited.
Will shut
the video off, and followed Mike to the bathroom, slipped his hand up his shirt,
and rubbed his trembling back. “You’re okay.”
“Why didn’t
you tell me about the video?” Mike flushed the toilet and sat back.
“You lived
it. Why would you need to see it?” Will sat against the wall with him. “Um,
where were you?”
“Huh?”
“In the
room. I watched that video so many times but couldn’t find you.”
“Lying flat
directly across from Becky,” Mike answered. “The wall collapsed on my arm.” He
got quiet and added, “You know, if it hadn’t, they probably would’ve found me.
Losing my arm saved my life.”
Purchase Links:
NineStar Press: https://ninestarpress.com/product/no-flag/
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/4AO6kq
Meet the Author
Liz Borino has been telling stories of varying
truthfulness since she was a child. As an adult, she keeps the fiction on the
page. She writes stories of human connection and intimacy, in all their forms.
Her books feature flawed men who often risk everything for their love.
When Liz isn’t writing, she’s waking up early to edit,
travel, and explore historic prisons and insane asylums—not (usually) all in
one day. Liz lives in Philadelphia with her two cats.
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