#alpha kostya

[glimpsesofeuterpe]

felt obligated to list muses and their (known so far) alternates out now, oh no

The Cornelius(es)

Protagonist Cornelius, Classic Cornelius, Happy Cornelius, Space Pirate Cornelius (Neil), Composer Cornelius, Inspector Cornelius, Vampire Cornelius, Angel Cornelius (Corabael), Demon Cornelius (Corey), Inspector Cornelius, Archivist Cornelius, Winter Prince Cornelius, Librarian Cornelius, Lonely Cornelia, Alpha Cornelia (Emily), Beta Cornelius, Gamma Cornelius, Vampire Cornelia (Nelle), Russian Cornelius (Корнелий/Kornelij), British Victorian Cornelius (Dr Gratton), Gem Cornelius (Tiger Eye), Wizard Cornelius, Enthusiast Cornelius, Robot Cornelius, Skeleton Cornelius

The Deimos(es)

Antagonist Deimos, Narrator Deimos, Shadowy Deimos (Phos), Human Deimos (Damien), Demon Deimos (Demien), Mermaid Deimos, Captain Deimos (Captain Deimey Moss), Gem Deimos (Green Jadeite or Emerald), Cat Deimos (Demyaw), Princess Deimos, Farmer Deimos (Dahlia), Redhead Deimos, Wizard Deimos, Alternian Deimos, Mettaton Deimos extra: Arianna and Artemius, Deim's younger siblings extra extra: XJ10 aka Jade (Neil's assistant) extra extra extra: Deinelius (confusion au)

The Frankys

Grumpy: Strayed Franky, Dad Franky, Wizard Franky, Werewolf Franky, Gem Franky (Enstatite), Angel Franky (Frankiel), Female Franky (Franziska) Dorky: The Dork Maddison, Warlock Maddison (Adam), Captain Maddison, Cyborg Maddison, Pilot Maddison, Mechanic Maddison, Magic Maddison, Rick Maddison (Frederick) extra: Marcus Mayfair (employee 517) aka a beta-something-past version of Maddison extra extra: Ludolf Meier (Franky's Uncle) extra extra extra: Adam Smithson, which is clerly related to Franky(s), nuff said

Amelies:

Classic Amelie, Cyberpunk Amelie, Angel Amelie (Amaliel), Parable Amelie (Amber), Male Amelie (Albus), Possessed Amelie (Ambrose), Sinner/Demon Amelie

Sophies:

Fairy Sophie, Employee Sophie (006)

+ Cornelius' ex co-workers: Maria Mironova and Jack Waller

Narrators:

Bionic Narrator (Magnus), Bossy/Demon Narrator (Bernael), Narrator.exe, Beta Narrator (Norbert), Caelumirian Narrator (Augustin), Snapey Narrator, Gem Narrator (Brown Diamond?), Narrator Royce, MONIKA

Curators:

The Observer, Beta Curator (Norene), Angel Curator (Barrattiel), Human Curator (Beatrice), Curator.exe, Curator GLaDOS

Stanleys:

Stanley Freeman, Stanley von Sales, Thomas Stanley Porter, Severine Stanley, Stella Fiedler, Pastel Stanley, Stanley.exe, Gem Stanley (Gray Pearl) Not Stanleys:

Protagonist Chell, Ashley Davies (The Player)

Mariellas:

Classic Mariella, Dream Mariella (aka Doll aka Princess aka Melissa Noxire), Pastel Mariella, Not Mariella (Simona Petrikov), Mariella.exe, Gem Mariella (Peanut Pearl)

Employee 432 aka Settings Person aka Timekeeper aka Ceaseless Watcher:

Eric Nowak

Adventure Line (humanized-ish):

Ghost Adventure Line (Flavian), Gem Adventure Line (Yellow Spinel)

The Employee Lounge (humanized):

Lacey Fidelis, Lesley Fidelis

Ricks:

Narrator Rick, Dandere Rick, Detective Rick, Ava Rickinsocks, Bossy Rick, Hacker Rick

Mortys:

Protagonist Morty, Yandere Morticia, Nerdy Morticia, Captain Morty, Cursed Morty, Shadow Morty, Wizard Morty

OTHERS: Homestuck linked: Kostya Trollen, Nick Surname Presentable Liberty linked: Paul Viaton, Lenore (Eleanor) Farrell, Benjamin Smiley, Charlotte Addams, Barret Videll, Salvadore Marchetti, Morayne Johnson DST linked: Triumphant Wilson and a Willow (iguess?)

Wannabe big guys aka friends from the other side aka yet another aliens (divinedamnedgambles):

Endymion, Nelumbo, Nebula (aka Red and Blue), Mother Nature, Goodness (Agnes), Darkness (The Temptress), Inquisitiveness (aka Yellow aka Employee333), Lorelei, Oneiros, Helianthus (aka Deim's Grandpa), The Troubadour, Aurora

Men In White:

Elyon and Karael, Vega, Gadreel, Raziel, Seraphim

[solohux]

Can we get more Omega!Francisco Graupe and Alpha!Konstantin Levin, maybe a heat or family fic idk I guess it doesn’t have to be ABO specifically, you just write that so well. Anyway I just think this ship just needs more love.

Thank you so much for your kind words! I totally agree with you about this ship. I love it so much and I really enjoyed writing this!

Kostya wakes to the gentle and beautiful feeling of his mate’s sleepy breaths upon his cold skin, warming him on the inside and on the outside. It’s the middle of winter in Russia but Kostya’s wealth means that their quaint bedchambers in their countryside home is toasty warm; a fire is roaring in the fireplace at the foot of their bed and layers of plush furs cover him and his sleeping omega, keeping them warm against the awful chills of the morning blizzard.

And after a week-long heat, Fransisco deserves every comfort that Kostya can offer him.

The pain, discomfort and need that comes with an omega’s heat had subsided yesterday eve but Kostya’s instincts told him to knot Fransisco one more time just to be sure that his mate would be free of the suffering and be filled with another of the alpha’s children. Remnants of their previous night linger on the bedsheets and on Fransisco’s skin in the form of love-bites; a canvas for his alpha’s affections.

Beside Kostya in the comfort of their warm bed, Fransisco stirs. He sighs and snuggles into Kostya’s side, pressing his clothed form as close as he can to his mate’s body. Kostya can’t help but smile as he takes in the form of his waking omega, feeling blessed by the priest’s presence in his life and the beautiful journey that they’ve been on together.

“Good morning,” Kostya whispers, smoothing his hand through Fransisco’s wavy, dark hair. The omega hums as she smiles, blinking awake in the candlelight of their bedchambers, subconsciously reaching to adjust the askew cross upon the silver chain around his neck.

“Dobroye utro,” Fransisco replies, speaking in the Russian that he’s been studying since moving here. Hearing his native language in Fransisco’s deep, honeyed voice makes Kostya’s heart jump.

“How are you feeling?” Kostya presses the back of his hand against the omega’s forehead. “Any pain? What about nausea? Is your heat—?”

“Kostya,” Fransisco sighs, smiling. He takes Kostya’s cheek into his palm, rubbing over his prominent cheekbone. “I’m fine. I’m happy.”

Even without trying to sense it through their bond, Kostya can see the difference in his mate since they first met. Fransisco’s belly is filled with hot meals and good wine now, allowing him to get to a healthy weight instead of being just skin and bone. His hair is fuller, his cheeks blush brighter, and he sleeps with a smile on his face; Kostya falls a little more in love with the omega every day.

“I’m glad, I’m so glad, Fransisco. My darling. That was an incredible week,” Kostya shuffles onto his side and takes his mate into his arms, admiring just how well they slot together.

“It was,” the priest says. “I wonder if we’ve created another life.”

“It’s too soon to tell, my love.”

“I know. But would you—?”

“I want as many children as you are willing to bear for us,” Kostya kisses Fransisco’s forehead, making the omega purr. “If the Heavens bless us with a dozen children then I will cherish each of them equally.”

“Oh, Kostya. I love you,” Fransisco says quietly. Kostya gives his mate a kiss in return, wishing he could stay in this peaceful moment forever.

But the sounds of quick, little footsteps thumping down the corridor disrupt the married pair from their kissing. The door flings open and a little dark-haired girl dressed in a long-sleeved purple nightgown and matching slippers leaps onto the bed with a big smile on her face.

“Mama!” Four year old Evelina clambers upon the soft furs up to Fransisco, having been without him for the best part of a week whilst he’s suffered through his heat. Luckily, Kostya’s close friends have been able to care for Evelina in their absence.

“Little one,” Fransisco abandons his hug with Kostya to welcome his daughter into his arms, nestling her under the covers with him and kissing her head. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I miss you too, Mama. A lot! But I drew you lots and lots of pictures!”

“That’s so good, Eva,” Kostya says, still wary of his omega’s possible delicate state. “Mama will look at them once we’ve made breakfast, alright? Why don’t you go and get dressed? We’ll meet you at the table, hm?”

“Okay, Papa.”

“My printsessa,” Kostya praises, but then turns to his mate once their daughter has gone again. “And my korol. My king, my one.”

The two allow their lips to meet in a soft kiss, their hands entwined beneath the covers. Once, Kostya thought of himself doomed to be alone forever but now, he thanks God every day for sending his most precious angel to save him from misery. Fransisco Garupe is more than just Kostya’s omega, he’s his soulmate.

[chrism02]

MASTERLIST

UPDATED: 23/09/2024

Other

1. Wilson Fisk

Off the cuff – AU Alpha/Beta/Omega - Completed

Struggle through – AU Twins - Work in progress

2. Big Jack Horner

Right and wrong - Completed

3. Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins)

A double-edged sword - Completed

Rose colored glasses – AU soulmates - Completed

4. Sans

Putting on the Ritz -  AU MobFell - Work in progress

5. Father Brown

Oh, ye of little faith – AU soulmates - Completed

6. Alan Shore

One in a million - Completed

7. William Parrish

Meet Miss Black - Completed

8. Alastor - Hazbin Hotel

Bolt from the blue -  Work in progress

9. Gru and Dru - Despicable me

Double or quits -  Work in progress

10. Anton Ego - Ratatouille

Get blood from a stone – AU vampires - Work in progress

11. Hercule Poirot

Head over heels -  Work in progress

Christie Fandom

1. Larissa Weems

The family credo - Completed

Off the mark – AU soulmates, AU twins - Completed

Bah, Humbug – Completed

The Angel wears blue – AU Devil wears Prada - Completed

Always there – AU Christmas Carol - Completed

Trial and error - AU -  Completed

2. Larissa Weems and Maxim Horvath

Soul-destroying – Completed

3. Lucifer

Corruption – Completed

Gone but not forgotten – Completed

 Molina Fandom

1. Maxim Horvath

Grimhold – AU soulmates – Part 1 - Completed

Remember When... – AU soulmates – Part 2 - Completed

Doc, where's the DeLorean?! – AU time travel – Completed

The dance of the betrayed – AU vampire – Completed

Twin method – AU twins – Completed

The Devil Wears Armani – AU Devil wears Prada – Completed

Losing a Knut and finding a Galleon – AU Harry Potter – Completed

Ruler of the Underworld – AU Greek Mythology – Completed

Schadenfreude – AU soulmates – Completed

Corpse groom – AU Corpse Bride – Completed

A promise – Completed

Sweet Oblivion – AU Addams Family – Completed

Morgana's plan - AU Merlin era – Completed

Love letters - AU selkie – Completed

Summon up - AU Demons – Completed

Third time's a Charm – Completed

Bite back – AU vampire and werewolf – Completed

Catch Your Eye – AU twins and Prime Morganian – Completed

Quick on the Draw - AU Merlin era – Completed

Sugar and Spice - AU No Magic, Sugar Daddy – Completed

Himalayan blunder – Completed

Way to your heart – AU soulmates – Completed

In the end game – AU Avengers – Completed

The Angel of Music - AU No Magic – Completed

Clipped wings - AU No Magic, AU wings – Completed

Fall To Pieces - AU Merlin era – Completed

Perfume the air -  - AU No Magic – Completed

The Nutcracker King - AU Nutcracker -  Work in progress

 2. Maxim Horvath and Otto Octavius

Double trouble – Completed

Play second fiddle – AU Alpha/Beta/Omega – Completed

History repeats itself – AU Time Loop – Completed

Click the “Keep reading” for more 😈

3. Otto Octavius

A fish out of water – AU Mer!Otto – Completed

Surrender to fate – Completed

On the off chance – Comic Otto - Completed

Wish list – Comic Otto - Work in progress

 4. Boris Plots

The kitten – Completed

Take The Lead – AU modern – Completed

 5. Comte De Reynaud

Chocolat au poivre – Completed

A gust of wind – AU Magic-user – Completed

Heaven's Light -  AU Modern - Completed

 6. Manuel Aringarosa

The Holy Grail – Part 1 - Completed

Face off with the Devil – Part 2 - Completed

Love the sinner - AU Angels and Demons - Work in progress

 7. Hugh Weldon

The LiT Tradition – Part 1 - Completed

Baby steps – Part 2 - Completed

8. Andrés Galan

Valentine's Day auction – Part 1 - Completed

Double life - Part 2 - Completed

Thick as thieves – AU criminals – Completed

 9. Konstantin "Kostya" Dmitrievich Levin

Book character - Completed

Puppy love - Completed

10. Randall Pepperidge

A study in you – Part 1 - Completed

Detective Work – Part 2 - Completed

11. Ricardo Morales

The curious case of Beth Garrett – Part 1 - Completed

A bullet with your name on it – Part 2 - Completed

Under the gun - Completed

Come to heel - Completed

12. Everly Campbell

Painting is an art - Completed

13. Sheik Amar

Princess of Persia - Completed

Tell me a story - Completed

La princesse et la bête - AU Beauty and the Beast, AU magic - Completed

14. Robert Aldrich

Switch Off – Part 1 - Completed

Movie viewing – Part 2 - Completed

Run the show – Part 3 - Completed

Newshound – AU News – Completed

Stage Fright – Completed

15. Frank Burton

Voice over the phone - Completed

16. Chandler Manning

Waltzing with Danger – Part 1 - Completed

On dangerous ground – Part 2 - Completed

Criminal mind – Part 3 - Completed

Above the law - Completed

17. Diego Rivera

The Art of Seeing - Completed

18. George Garea

Passing of time - Completed

19. Gabriel Duvall

Play it by ear – AU innocent – Part 1 - Completed

Truth and Justice – AU innocent – Part 2 - Completed

New beginnings – AU innocent – Part 3 - Completed

Off base – AU soulmates and Canon Divergence - Completed

20. Reverend Leland Drury

Harvest Moon – AU werewolf – Part 1 - Completed

New Moon – AU werewolf – Part 2 - Completed

Father Drury – AU Alpha/Beta/Omega – Completed

21. John King Fisher

Heart stealing – Completed

22. Eric Sanders the Third

Innocent eyes – Part 1 - Completed

Blameless – Part 2 - Completed

Not guilty – Part 3 - Completed

Journal – Part 4 - Completed

23. Jimmy Stiles

Woodwork – Completed

24. Avanti

Missing the train – Completed

25. Baldabiou

Softer than silk – Completed

26. Stephen Arden

Predator – AU vampire - Completed

Alien invasion – AU alien - Completed

Bleeding edge – AU mutant - Completed

27. Boris Blavasky

Bruise up – AU soulmates - Completed

28. Priest from Serena

Cardinal sin – AU demons - Completed

29. Davide Rieti

A blast from the past – AU time travel - Completed

30. Jim Bussey

Written in stone – AU demons - Completed

31. Angel

Maverick gambler – Completed

32. Denis Brabant

Drunk as a fiddler – Completed

33. Cliff Gray

Orchids – Completed

34. Harold Lindsay-Jones

Fleeting glance – Completed

35. Sgt. Steven Dunlop

Lost in translation – Completed

36. Edy Rodriguez

Bow to fate – Completed

37. Juan Raúl Pérez

Happy merry-go-round – Completed

38. Paul Weller

Trip down memory lane – Completed

39. Harding Hooten

The best medicine – Completed

The unexpected always happens – Completed

Twist of fate – Completed

40. Rahad Jackson

Put the Pedal to the Metal – Completed

41. Satipo

Fool me once – Completed

42. Alejandro "Sandy" Stern

The Good Lawyer – Completed

43. Fancast

The Penguin: 

Under Your Wing - Completed

Spur of the moment - Completed

Overshoot the mark - Completed

Botch up - Work in progress

Glimmer of Hope -  AU Alpha/Beta/Omega - Work in progress

44. Snidely K. Whiplash

Rotten to the core – Completed

45. Panos Demeris

Laws of attraction – Completed

46. Jonas Nyebern

Back from the dead – Completed

47. Richard Suskind

Write away – Completed

48. Lou Wheeler

Ghost of a chance – Completed

49. Roger Stephenson

Bouquet of orchids – Completed

50. Big Boss

As you wish – Completed

51. Sir Jeremy Burtom

Ensnare – Completed

52. Martin Morales

Coffee break - AU Coffee Shop – Completed

53. Bram Shepard

Getting to know you – Completed

54. Mike Preston

Things Are Not What They Appear – AU Innocent - Completed

55. Touchstone

Tailor-made - AU Tailor Shop - Completed

56. Hank Spallone

Knock down with a feather - Completed

57. Multifandom

The Zodiac - Completed

58. Armand Gamache

Under wraps - Completed

59.  Dr. Edelweiss

Bete noire - Completed

60. Ares

Caught off guard - Completed

Road to Damascus - Completed

61. Ray Hernandez

Fake out - Completed

62. Mark Rothko

The Mummy - Completed

63. Viggo Grimborn

Here be dragons - Completed

[marquiswrites]

Silk and Steel ch 15

AO3 Link

Master List

Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies)

Characters: Reader/MC, Kostya/Original Male Character, Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romonov, Tony Stark, Peter Parker

Relationship: James “Bucky” Barnes/Reader

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 814

Warnings:  Mild language, mentions of being held captive

Author’s Notes:  I am so sorry for the delay on getting this chapter up today! Migraines are nothing to mess around with kids. This one has lasted on and off for the end of the week and just seemed to get worse. Today's chapter is another bit of plot for us, but things are finally moving along! However, I am super happy that everyone seems to be enjoying the relationship between the MC and her Brother, Kostya.

Summary:  You get a little more information after the surprise your brother dropped on you, and the team comes together to try figuring out their next step.

Chapter 15: The Visual

Your eyes went wide, reaching to clutch the ring box to your chest. Almost immediately moving to open it before Kostya’s hand rested over yours, shaking his head. 

“Not here, Sunshine. Watch the yellow.” Giving a quick wink before wrapping you in his arms once more. Allowing you to hide the movement of your eyes as you did a sweep of the yellow bar in his rainbow. Finally finding the small red dot that indicated a camera. Shutting your eyes once more as you tucked the ring box into the pocket of your stolen sweater. Your brother’s body hiding your actions once more. 

He was definitely better at this than you were ever going to be. 

“There’s a small corridor you can slip into, it’s in a blind spot. Make the call there. Use check in code, Alpha - Tango - Foxtrot - 2997 Beta.” He whispered in your ear. “They should know what it means. In the mean time, you’ll stay here with me. Our father will try to press you to get a private room, turn it down. Easier to work together if we aren’t separated.”

You nod, letting out a soft sigh as you wrap your arms about him in turn. Finally letting out the breath you had been holding this entire time. He was still your brother. You were still on each other’s side above everything else. You had each other, no matter what else was going on around you. 

Tomorrow, you would deal with everything else.

--------------------------------------------------------

“Sam, do you have a visual?”

The team was placed at various points around Governors Island, each trying to blend into the crowd as best as they could. Which meant lots of baseball caps and sunglasses. 

Add into that the limited window offered by when the Island was actually open.”

“There’s about a million gallons of water in between us and all the layers of this building, Cap, you’re gonna have to wait a moment for redwing to pick her up.” Sam rolled his eyes behind the red tinted sunglasses. He had gotten the call from Steve the night before, made sure to pack up what he could of his gear before meeting with everyone on the island. Carefully adjusting the visual from Redwing with a twist of the dial on his wristwatch. 

Bucky halfway growled beneath his breath. Just barely audible enough for the coms to pick it up. Hiding his dissatisfaction with the answer by lifting a sunflower from a bucket near the flower boutique he was using as his cover. Pulling it back to carefully inspect the flower. His gaze almost softening. “She’s already been there for twenty four hours.”

“Yeah, but mister soldier sir, we don’t know that they wanna hurt her, right? I mean. Maybe they wanna do something else. Like study her. Or try to make her one of them. That sort of thing takes time, right?” Came Peter’s voice, doing his best to blend in by following a group of teen tourists. 

“The kid’s right. Given that they already have her brother, likely they’re looking for a matched set.” Tony glanced towards the island from a private boat he was currently lounging on. The only place that he would be entirely safe from possible recognition. 

“Hydra’s methods aren’t exactly known for their being willing to wait for her cooperation. Files say it’s more likely they’ll try to coerce her first, threaten her after, and then force compliance.” Natasha hummed softly, her own position on a jet ski allowing her easier access to the nearest entrance points. They were hoping to keep to just surveillance, but prepared for the worst. 

“So we’re looking at an undefined window of time to guarantee her safety. With no way of making it inside unless we break her cover.” Steve sighed, wiping a hand over his face once more. Then glancing around the cafe that he had settled in, lifting his soda to his lips once more. 

“If she’s managed to maintain it this long.” Natasha quipped sardonically. 

Tony grumbled for a moment. “We shouldn’t have put her in this position in the first place.”

“This might be her only chance to find her brother before Hydra ghosts him.” Steve returned, frowning more deeply. “We’ve already gone over this Tony. We don’t have time.”

“Right, if you two could put a quick pause on this lover’s quarrel, I’m getting a reading.” Sam shifted the dials a little more. Trying to get a clearer image. “It’s definitely her. Seems like she’s tucked away in a… corridor or something. Just off a storage room. But there’s something more, she’s got someone with her, definitely male.” Then falling short. 

Tony sat up from his lounge chair quickly. Lifting a hand to the comm piece. “And?”

“Hate to say it, but it look’s like they’re arguing. And if they stay there much longer, they’re about to be caught.”

[dargeereads]

What a year for books! I mean, I surpassed my Goodreads challenge, even though I knew I was being a little stingy, but I also knew life sometimes throws curves at you, so better safe than sorry. Looking back over the list of books I read this year, I realize the year didn’t rush by, it was well paced and gave me great book memories

Speaking of memories, this years’ favourite is exactly that, In Moonlight and Memories trilogy by Julie Ann Walker. This book, divided into three parts, each part focusing on the story from one of the three characters, had it all, and it executed it all perfectly and beautifully. It still grabs me and brings me back to the story at random times, my subconscious won’t let it go, and I’m perfectly okay with that. Not a standard romance, not even a love triangle really, it is a story of three friends who love each other unconditionally. It’s their story, of their lives, and how they got to where they are now, and where they are going next. https://dargeereads.tumblr.com/post/1... https://dargeereads.tumblr.com/post/1... https://dargeereads.tumblr.com/post/1...

My second favourite book this year is a straight up romance, with single parents, and unbelievable emotion. Down Too Deep by J. Daniels left me with warm fuzzies, and tearful fits, for days after finishing it. Nate is the book boyfriend everybody wants and needs. Jenna is the woman we all cheer for and want to see succeed. It is packed with love, caring, confusion, loss, steaminess, and tear spilling joy and pain. It also resonated with me, and completely caught me off guard, but it stuck with me in ways few “regular” romance books do https://dargeereads.tumblr.com/post/1...

Molly O’Keefe somehow figured out how to make you feel good with a book with death in the title. A Day in the Death of Walter Zawislak isn’t a romance, but is a story of love. Oh, it covers a whole lot of emotions, but this little book, in the end, reminds you of the power of love. I couldn’t cover my top reads of 2019 without this book, because it certainly had an impact https://dargeereads.tumblr.com/post/1...

So, what else happened in 2019? Candace Blevins ended her Only Human Urban Fantasy series, and yes, we find out what Isaac is, while we see how Kirsten’s world changes. I also caught up on Candace’s RTMC series backlog. More Honey Badger awesomeness from Shelley Laurenston, and a new series under her G.A. Aiken name, The Blacksmith Queen. More bears, polar bears to be exact, from Vivian Arend. I got to meet NJ Walters at Romancing the Capital, and gush about her Drakon’s and Tapestry series’. Speaking of RTC, Eve Langlais had me hooked with her UF series, The Forsaken Chronicles, and her Mecha Origins series, oh and her Chimera series, seriously, this woman can keep you reading for weeks! Annika Martin gave us a cute little quickie with Hot Ghost that was perfect for Hallowe’en. Zoe York gave us a Vikings Need and made my October! She also had an Ainsley Booth release that was deliciously wonderful 😉

I started the year with Lorelei James’ wound tight, and finally dug into her Mastered Series. I was once all caught up on her books, and am almost there again. Michele Zurlo added to and re-released her Letting Go series. Pam Godwin gave us two new installments in her Deliver series. Lexi Blake gave us more Sophie Oak releases in Bliss and Siren series, and the complete Faery story series, as well as some Lost Boys. Cora Reilly was back with force, bringing us more mafia bad boys than we could ever dream of! Roxie Rivera popped up and sprung Kostya on us, making that one of the high points of the year!

Cherise Sinclair started a new series, and still gave us some from our favourite from her. Bianca Sommerland released the long awaited Off Beat, and started her new co-written The Asylum Fight Club series. Carrie Ann Ryan poked at our emotions in her Fracture Connections series, and started a new family branch in her Montgomery Ink world. Melissa Schroeder gave us cupcake making, tattooed, ex-military men

I caught up with Jennifer Ashley’s cowboys, and then binged her MacKenzie’s and McBride’s series I hadn’t yet read on audio. Helena Hunting gave us a Meet Cute to be remembered, and more in the shacking up world, before switching us back to her new hockey series. Elle Kennedy gave us more collegiate hockey, and then her and Sarina Bowen dazzled us with their Top Secret offering. Kitty Thomas released her Persephone in audio, and then took us back to the training house. Sierra Cartwright gave us some alpha-liscious males to swoon over. Skye Warren brushed the taboo in her ever-amazing way.

I tried new authours, and found a few new favourites. I found myself drowning in books to read, and learned to balance new releases and those on my TBR. I embraced and enjoyed reading, not just as an escape, though it is that sometimes, but as my thing I enjoy to do out of all the things I enjoy to do!

[trilotechcorp]

New Post has been published on PBA-Live

New Post has been published on http://pba-live.com/how-top-mma-trainers-would-prepare-conor-mcgregor-for-floyd-mayweather/

How top MMA trainers would prepare Conor McGregor for Floyd Mayweather

When it comes to Floyd Mayweather versus Conor McGregor, there is no shortage of topics to discuss.

Every Instagram post is a headline. And you can bet all these different angles of coverage will tirelessly seek out your eyeballs between now and the night of the fight.

Today, we’re talking about the fight itself. Specifically, how a very good mixed martial artist can approach the task of fighting a world-class boxer in his own arena.

What can McGregor do, if anything, to even the playing field? What does he actually bring to the table that Mayweather hasn’t seen? What will happen when the fight actually starts and what, ultimately, will be the final outcome?

ESPN spoke to some of the best coaches in MMA to get a sense of what McGregor’s strategy and chances are, against the five-division world champion Mayweather.

Firas Zahabi, Tristar MMA

Conor is the better fighter and Mayweather is the better boxer. In my opinion, neither one belongs in the other’s arena. It’s like, “Who wins, a lion or a shark?” Well, if it’s in an aquarium, the shark. If it’s in the jungle, the lion.

The one X factor is we still don’t know the limit of Conor’s left hand. Will it knock someone out as efficiently as it does in MMA? He was born with a gift. That’s a gift. Nobody ever knows how that’s done. It’s a mystery, that kind of power. Boxing coaches have tried to duplicate it. We’re not crazy, we’re trying to figure out how that’s done, what it is exactly that makes someone hit that hard — and no one truly knows. No one can say that has been discovered.

Mayweather has seen that before, at the highest level, and dealt with it beautifully many times over. Conor’s going to try to land the left hand. He’s not going to jab Mayweather to death. He’s going to bully him, drive his forearms into his face. Don’t forget a boxing match is 36 minutes. That’s really a lot longer than we’re used to in MMA, and we’ve seen Conor get tired in the past. If it goes into the later rounds, it won’t be pretty.

I don’t think it will go 12 rounds. Either Conor catches him early or Mayweather puts him away in the later rounds.

Jason Parillo, RVCA VA Sport

If McGregor starts fading at any point, I think Mayweather will try to have a “showtime” moment. I’m sure he schools guys sometimes in the gym, talks s—. I could see him trying to make that type of example out of Conor.

Do I think McGregor has something special to him? He wouldn’t have the attention that’s on him if he didn’t. Is he heavy-handed enough to hurt somebody? Yes. But the way I look at it is that Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya were professional punchers and focused on nothing but punching their entire lives. McGregor’s been putting as much focus on everything else.

Mayweather is 40 years old and he’s been out of the ring, but I never saw that slight loss, that second of a reflex — I just never saw it. The guy is f—ing Gumby. He’s got the reflexes of a cat. You have guys who have 30 to 40 professional wins, fast as lightning, and Mayweather makes them miss all day long and then makes them pay.

You’ve got to remember, all our MMA champions go for is 25 minutes. This fight is another 11 minutes. That will come into play. If [McGregor’s] got grit and the beard to do it, he could put it on [Mayweather] and smother him, punch his arms, whatever he can hit. McGregor’s actually got the foot speed for it as well, to walk him down a bit. It gets confusing trying to talk about this though, because we know McGregor is a good MMA boxer, and god bless all the MMA guys that McGregor has knocked out, but they’re not Jose Luis Castillo or Oscar De La Hoya. This fight seems to be a lot about money. Justin Buchholz, Team Alpha Male

Go in there, get in his face right off the bat and try to win a round. First three rounds, win one of them by just being aggressive.

Floyd can fight in the clinch and he’ll stick his elbow up in your face. But we’re talking about an MMA fighter with McGregor. And you see this sometimes in boxing — Bernard Hopkins will be in a clinch, the referee will be on one side and on the other side Hopkins is hitting the dude illegally in the hamstring. Dirty tactics. Come in with your head. We’re MMA fighters, we train that s—. We train to tie guys up and overhook their arms and wear them out. Conor has a very big frame, and you’re talking about a little guy in Floyd.

Don’t get knocked out. McGregor will be thinking, “Oh, I’m gonna hit Floyd with the jab,” and Floyd will come back with a double right hand that will f—ing rock him because he’s so fast. People like to say Floyd doesn’t hit hard. What do you mean Floyd doesn’t hit hard? Are you f—ing kidding me? Who knocks out Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez? Nobody knocks those guys out. But ask Canelo if Floyd hits hard. Because Canelo stopped throwing punches on him. Of course he hits hard, he’s a master of boxing.

That’s why I’d say, when Floyd starts picking him apart, McGregor needs to turn it into an MMA fight at the risk of being DQ’d. If it’s Round 4 and you’re saying, “We’ve got no chance, this guy’s picking us apart, we don’t even want to move in there because we’re going to get knocked out” — next time you get into the clinch, double leg him. It’s better to get DQ’d than knocked the f— out. And just think about how easily Conor can manipulate Floyd’s body weight. You’ve got a master of boxing against a guy who is overmatched as f—, but the one time that guy puts his hands on him with the intent to do something that’s not completely handicapped by rules, he’d throw him down and your best boxer in the world couldn’t do s—.

Mike Winkeljohn, Jackson-Wink MMA

Floyd is going to go into his shell and hold his shoulder high. You can’t do that in MMA and you can’t do that in a street situation, but in boxing it’s a beautiful thing.

He has a god-given knack of not getting hit and using his defensive ability so well. Conor’s got the power though. I think Conor is a big, strong fighter who has speed and is a little slicker. What Conor can bring to the table is maybe some offline angles with his footwork that comes out of MMA and will be something Floyd might not be used to. Attack where Floyd can’t hide behind his shoulder.

We’re going to know one way or the other right away. Conor comes with a game plan of attacking Floyd in a way he has never seen before. Once it fails, or I should say “if” it fails, then it will fall into a traditional boxing match, which obviously favors Floyd. I’ll tell you what though, Conor’s got a smart camp and they’re going to come up with something. It might be worth putting some money on Conor as the underdog. Robert Follis, Xtreme Couture

When you’ve got someone who moves significantly better than you, putting them in a clinch is a great idea. You saw that with Mike Tyson, when he was getting beat by Evander Holyfield. What you don’t want to do is run around chasing with punches.

Conor’s striking is good, but I’ve got pro guys who will go to the boxing gym and work with some 14-year-old amateur who has 40 fights and they get picked apart.

If Conor goes out there and tries to box with him, look slick, he’ll get a hell of a payday and look real silly. If he can go in there and hang on his head, dirty box, take warnings from the referee, lose a point even — but potentially wear on him and be physical with him — Muhammad Ali did that in several fights; he’d take the warning and force the referee to slap his hand off the back of his opponent’s head.

It’s pretty tough for them to disqualify someone in that big of a fight, you know what I mean? Minus biting Floyd’s ear or throwing him out of the ring, he can get away with hanging on the head and dirty boxing. If he does round after round and then unleashes some of that power? If you’re coming up with a game plan that seems like the only way to go right? Duke Roufus, Roufusport MMA

A lot of people don’t understand Conor has more boxing experience than he’s showing. He amateur boxed at a club in Ireland that has a top coach.

But Floyd is not only one of the greatest fighters of his era, he’s one of the most elusive. It’s going to be tough for Conor to box 12 rounds. You’re going to throw more than you’re used to and you’re going to miss. It’s very tiring. That’s what Floyd does so well. When you miss, you start second-guessing yourself as a fighter.

I don’t know how many people will remember this, but Zab Judah, who is a real slick boxer, fought Kostya Tszyu [2001] and at times, Zab was very confused with the pace. Kostya fought like a mixed martial artist. He’s Russian and had this slower, meticulous pace — at a very long range. If you’re not used to that, it can really throw your timing off.

When fighters press Floyd, that’s where he’s magic. Conor almost needs to be like a jiu-jitsu guy who needs you to come into his guard. Stay back, use your reach and show him a style he’s never seen before. I give him a 20 percent chance if he does that, I really believe that. Henri Hooft, Combat Club MMA

We’re talking about the best boxer there is. One of my guys, Tyrone Spong, is boxing at the moment and he always tells me it’s so different, people are so fast. They’re used to doing what they do. It looks simple — the jab, straight hand — but they do it day in and day out for years.

Conor has really impressed me with his hands, but Mayweather will beat him in everything in a boxing match. I’ll watch the fight but I’m not really interested in it. I think it will go as long as Mayweather wants.

I will say, “You’re going to fight the best boxer of all time, make a lot of money, with the whole world watching, so just go for it.” It’s amazing. I’m kind of jealous of him and his coach. Live the moment. It’s something special. Trevor Wittman, Grudge Training Center

McGregor has shown problems with taller fighters. Nate Diaz is not a fast boxer and he’s not a great defensive fighter, but he beat McGregor in their first fight because of his range. He was able to land the one-two and McGregor didn’t even see the two coming because of the jab.

Mayweather is one of the tallest fighters out there — not meaning he’s physically tall but he’s a range fighter. He’s very good at shifting his hips back and forth to make it seem like he’s closer than he really is. He lures you in with that high lead shoulder and makes you reach. McGregor is a counter striker and I just don’t see Mayweather taking any chances reaching with power.

Mayweather is going to irritate him with the jab all night and then force him to lead. Mayweather is very fundamental with his feet, very fundamental defensively. He’s very good at learning round to round, so McGregor’s only chance will be in the first round. I think he will bring McGregor out of his realm, out of his mindset and it will be an out-classed match.

But it’s still a great fight for McGregor. He can retire and say he challenged the best. It’s a no-lose situation. Mike Brown, American Top Team

People think there’s no chance. I’ve heard people go, “Oh, there’s literally zero chance.” I’ve heard boxing analysts say that. And the chances are low. Whether it’s 5 percent, 10 percent — whatever it is, it’s low. But I think what McGregor does have is that Mayweather is the oldest he’s ever been. He’s slightly worse than he’s ever been. McGregor is a big guy, maybe the biggest guy Mayweather has ever fought or close to it. He’s a southpaw and he’s doesn’t move like a traditional boxer. So, the angles Mayweather is used to seeing are slightly off.

All of those variables tip it a little to Conor’s favor. Not like he’s a favorite, but there are some things that make this a little different from a normal boxing fight. McGregor could never win a decision, obviously. The only way he can win is getting Mayweather with a shot that he doesn’t see coming, hurting him and finishing him. You never know if that big shot could land. Brandon Gibson, Jackson-Wink MMA

I’m happy McGregor is getting so much attention for the sport, but we’ve got one of the best of his generation going against a boxer who is 0-0. I would think it would be a one-sided affair.

In Floyd’s first Marcos Maidana fight, Maidana was able to catch him with overhands. That kind of caught Floyd off-guard. Maybe Conor can do some of that. But whether Floyd is in the center of the ring or with his back against the ropes, he’s going to make him miss and make him pay with counters.

I don’t think you’ll see a finish, but I think you’ll see the difference between one of the best boxers ever and someone with no boxing experience.

Source: http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/20089304/how-top-mma-trainers-prepare-conor-mcgregor-floyd-mayweather

[katsindiebookblog]

Sale Blitz - Reign: A Royal Military Romance by oxie Noir ...     Some fairy tales start after midnight.  @roxienoir

disclaimer - check prices before clicking as I find NZ is often not included in Amazon’s sales! #NotfairAmazon ( this is often out of the authors hands)

Title: Reign: A Royal Military Romance

Author: Roxie Noir

Release Date: June 22, 2016

Add to Goodreads

Blurb

Some fairy tales start after midnight.

The crown prince and I have nothing in common.

He's a rugged, battle-hardened soldier who spent four years in the Royal Guard, an elite military unit. I met the King and Queen for the first time wearing leggings and a sweatshirt.

He's the serious, quiet, straight-laced heir to the throne, and I accidentally got drunk at a formal dinner.

But there's the way he looks at me, eyes blazing with hunger. Like he knows every dirty thought I've had about him - and he likes them. There's the way my pulse skyrockets every time his hand brushes mine.

I'm the ambassador's daughter. I know better than to mess around with a foreign head of state.

But I don't know how long I can resist.

Not all princes are charming.

I spent years in the Royal Guard, our most elite military unit, fighting like hell so I could rule one day - not so I could give my father an heir with some well-bred rich girl.

I have a f*cking country to run. My love life can take a back seat. It's not like I've ever met a girl I had to have.

Until her. The ambassador's daughter. She's so... American. Lowborn, brash, wildly unsuitable... and gorgeous.

I'm disciplined, tough as hell, and I don't f*ck around. But I can't stop thinking about the way she laughs, about how she might taste. My father's threatening to strip me of my title if I touch her, but she makes me want to break every one of my own rules.

F*ck titles. F*ck rules. F*ck my father's threats. I want her. I need her.

She's mine.

Reign is a 90,000 word, 350-page, full-length standalone novel with some seriously explicit scenes and a happily-ever-after ending.

ON SALE!!!

AMAZON US| AMAZON UK

 Excerpt

“Give me your other hand,” she commands softly.

I do it, and her light but firm fingers work it over, checking for damage.

“I’ve gotten in fights before, you know,” I say. “I’ve made it this far.”

“Kostya, shut up and let me do something after you probably saved my life,” she says.

“That’s no way to speak to a prince.”

“Then throw me in a dungeon,” she says, and her eyes flick up to mine, a teasing smile around them.

“I told you, we don’t do that anymore,” I say.

I let her hands go and slide my thumb along the line of her jaw, completely unable to stop myself.

“Now, we let the barbarians come through the front door and smoke pot on the roof,” I say.

Her hand is on my side now, her eyes wide and deep brown.

“I’m civilized,” she whispers.

“Are you sure?” I ask, letting my voice drop. “I like barbarians.”

Playlist link (on Spotify)

About Roxie Noir

I love writing sexy, alpha men and the headstrong women they fall for. My weaknesses include: beards, whiskey, nice abs with treasure trails, sarcasm, cats, prowess in the kitchen, prowess in the bedroom, forearm tattoos, and gummi bears. I live in California with my very own sexy, bearded, whiskey-loving husband and two hell-raising cats.

Social Media Links

AMAZON| WEBSITE |FACEBOOK

[solohux]

If you still takes prompts, may I ask you to continue ABO garostya about them having more pups (post № 627279613273456640)?

A continuation of this!

The bathtub has quickly become Garupe’s favourite place to be—second favourite place, he corrects himself; Kostya’s arms are first.

The warm water is like heaven on his aching body. The chill of the Russian winter affects the Portuguese-born priest more than he allows dear Kostya to know, though the wealthy alpha has done everything in his power and budget to make their home as perfect as can be for their family. Every room has a roaring fireplace, the pantry is well-stocked with an array of comforting foods and the blankets and furs upon their beds are nothing but the thickest and finest in the country.

Truly, Kostya spoils him.

The omega sighs and sinks further beneath the warm, soapy water until only his head and the curve of his heavily pregnant belly can be seen. Steam slowly fills the room and relaxes all of his senses with its honey and camomile scent, one said to be good for both mother and pup during the late stages of a difficult pregnancy.

“How are you, my darling?” Kostya appears in the doorway, his voice hushed since their five year old daughter has just been settled into sleep.

“Mmm,” Garupe says, rubbing his hands over the curve of his baby bump. “So soothed. As is he.”

“For once,” Kostya adds with a laugh as he comes to kneel down beside the oval-shaped tub, his hand hesitating on the side. The omega can see the admiration shining in his mate’s beautiful green eyes but his touch remains elusive as always when they aren’t in bed together.

“My love,” Garupe takes his hand. “You do not have to ask for my permission to touch me. How many times must I tell you? I am yours.”

“You may be mine, as you say, but I could never treat you as such.” But the alpha’s hand, with a little more encouragement, settles atop his mate’s pregnant belly, smoothing his rough touch against the soft, stretched skin. “You are a jewel, Francisco. Precious, a gift, something to be treasured.”

“Always so serious, Kostya. You’ve put your claim mark upon me, filled me with your pups, married me. And yet you hesitate to touch?”

“I…don’t want to do anything that would bring you discomfort.”

“You could never, Kostya. My love. My soulmate.”

The omega can’t help but gather tears in his soft eyes as he sees the expression of his alpha change from one of hesitation to one of understanding. He brushes strands of his golden-red hair from his face and leans over the side of the bath, allowing his hand to dip beneath the water in search of the omega’s most intimate region.

“Perhaps I should do more of what you wish,” the alpha says.

“Yes, touch me,” Garupe’s back arches when his mate finds his cock and begins caressing it, though mindful that their sleeping daughter is only in the next room. “Ohhhh.”

“So beautiful, Francisco,” Kostya moves his free hand to Garupe’s neck, touching his claim mark. “And all mine.”

“Yes. All yours. Always.”

[solohux]

23 for Konstantin 'Kostya' Levin/Francisco Garupe, if it's not too strange.

23- : “You’re too weak to make a nest.” Omega Garupe/Alpha Kostya

Fransisco has lost count of the days that this cold has consumed him. He believes this to be the fifth day but he can’t be entirely sure; his head throbs with the light of the morning sun so he’s tried his very best to stay out of its way.

The sickly omega refrains himself from cursing as he drags himself out of bed and wraps himself in Kostya’s house-robe, sniffing at its lapel to comfort himself with his alpha’s scent, one that smells like the earth and of his special, imported bath oils. Garupe sighs, wishing that his mate was here to comfort him instead of working in the fields with his labourers—

“моя любовь,” Levin says softly, entering their bedchambers to find his mate attempting to arrange his pillows and duvets. “My love. Don’t strain yourself.”

“Kostya,” Garupe coughs after speaking, feeling his fever rising. “I thought you were working.”

“I was, but something told me to come home to you, Fransisco. My omega. Come now, you’re too weak to make a nest,“ Levin takes hold of Garupe’s hands and halts his efforts to put together a decent nest, and the omega doesn’t have the strength to argue.

“I feel so ill, Kostya,” Garupe whines, allowing himself to be guided back into the comfort of his bed. “Could it be...”

“Not your heat, dear one. No. Your scent is very much the same as it always is. The physician said that it’s a strain of omegan flu, remember?” The alpha sits down on the side of the bed and gently brushes Garupe’s dark hair from his face, resting his rough palm upon his sharp, elegant cheekbone. “Rest, Fransisco, my love. For me.”

The omega priest nods slowly whilst leaning into Kostya’s loving touch, allowing his mate to sing softly to him as he drifts off into sleep.

“Kostya?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you going to stay with me?”

Levin doesn’t answer but instead climbs into bed beside his sleepy mate and cuddles him from behind, nuzzling past his waves of uncombed dark hair to kiss the nape of his neck where his claim mark sits.

“Always, angel,” Levin whispers, but Garupe has already allowed the safety of his alpha’s arms to lull him into a restful, rejuvenating sleep.

[marquiswrites]

Silk and Steel Ch 16

AO3 Link

Master List

Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies)

Characters: Reader/MC, Kostya/Original Male Character, James “Bucky” Barnes, Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Natasha Romanov, Peter Parker, Sam Wilson

Relationship: James “Bucky” Barnes/Reader

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 1245

Warnings:  Mild language, mentions of being kidnapped, mentions of experimentation

Author’s Notes:  And we finally have contact once more between the whole gang!

Summary: 

Things become heated between you and your brother, demands are made and promises are given. But mostly, all you care about is getting the chance to let your team know you're safe.

Chapter 16: The Argument

“I don’t care what you say, I need to let them know I’m okay!”

“Katarina, you aren’t listening to me!”

“No Kostya!” You stamp your foot, then jab your finger into his chest. “You aren’t listening. You told me about this place. Told me what to say to let them know to contact SHIELD for you. And now you expect me to sit and wait like the perfect little Hydra princess while that animal experiments on us?!”

“No, I don’t expect you to wait here, but doing this so soon is what they expect of you!” He hissed in return. Glancing around the hidden corridor. Fiddling with the bracelet on his wrist. His totems. 

Kostya didn’t actually need it to manifest his powers. He could enhance any one aspect at any time, but he said that it helped, for him to name them. To touch the totems. The animals carved into wooden beads. It was an old habit for him to play with it. 

It meant that he was more nervous than he was letting on.

“You’re keeping something from me.” Your gaze narrowed, pinning him with it. Finger poking deeper into his chest. “What are you hiding? What happened while you were here?”

“K-”

“Do not! Call me that.” You half snarl. “That is not my name. And your name isn’t Kostya. Not anymore. You are Brandon Williamson, and you are my brother. A SHIELD agent. Kostya is gone. And maybe we both need to work on remembering that.”

Kostya sighed once more, wiping a hand over his face. “Alright. Alright. But right now, I can’t be Brandon. I have to be Kostya again. We have to be Nikolai’s lost children. That’s the only way that we survive here.”

You drop your hand back to your side. Then shake your head. “I’m not here to stay. I’m not trying to survive. The only reason I came here was to get you out. And in order to do that, I need to call them. Please…” Begging quietly.

“We can’t. I have a mission, sis.” Kostya lifts his own hand, running it along the side of your face to cup your cheek. “I know I haven’t explained much, but I need you to trust me on this one.”

“If you expect me to leave you here, I need a little more than trust right now.” Frowning even as you leaned into his touch. 

“Fine. Fine. Call your friends. And then I can show you exactly what has been happening. Why I had to go dark without warning. Okay? You’d have found out eventually. I can show you without blowing my cover.” Kostya, glancing over his shoulder. Ears twitching. “I have to go. I’ve been off the camera’s too long already. They’re going to be suspicious if we both stay for too long. Only so many blind spots after all.” Smirking before he was pressing a kiss to your forehead. Then slipping down the opposite side of the hall. 

Leaving you to make a choice. Possibly blow everything. But speak with them. Let them know you were alive. Find out what their plan was. Or go the way of your annoying brother, and find out exactly what Hydra was up to.

There was exactly zero choice. 

Lifting your hand to your ear to set the Comms to a private channel. Waiting for it to connect felt like the longest minute of your life. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Alright the sentry passed. Looks like the brother left too. Following the corridor.” Sam spoke into the comms. Shifting Redwing to get a better image. 

“What about Druid?” Peter piped up. Worrying at his lip. 

“Still there. Looks like she’s lingering for some reason. Maybe waiting for it to be safe to move. It doesn’t seem like she’s being guarded or anything. Or if she’s being watched I can’t see it. She’s in a blind spot from the cameras.”

“Wait.” Bucky frowned, his comms indicating that a private line was being connected. “I think she’s trying to reach out. Bird brains keep your eye on her, make sure she’s not taking any risks. Or that they aren’t faking this for our sake.”

Cutting off his connection to the rest of them to answer the comms. “Before you say anything, don’t give anything away. This is supposed to be a secured line, but we can’t know if they’re listening on your end, Doll.”

He hears the softed sound of swallowing. “Right. Makes sense.”

“Good...” Bucky lets out a sigh, then glances up around the lines of flowers once more. “I need you to verify that it’s really you, Doll. Say something only we would understand. Something that they wouldn’t have thought to force out of you.”

“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” He smiled brightly, shaking his head at her choice of lines. 

“I thought you were Scarlett.”

“Only if you’re Rhett.” 

Bucky felt the tension release in his shoulders. “Damned good to hear from you Doll. Think you gave all of us a bit of a scare. Hold on, I’m going to link you into the general Comms. Let them know that I verified you.”

“Is everyone there?”

“Doll, everyone is here. Where you are. We found you.” Bucky bit his lip at the sound of a choked sob. “Hey… Hey no. Doll, don’t cry. We’ve got you. Just hold on a little longer. Let me link you in… If I can remember how, damned technology has gotten a bit more complicated since my day.” Carefully fiddling with the Comm before the overlapping voices of the other’s came sharply back into focus. “Shut it!”

“Guys? Are you really there?”

“Oh my god!” Peter nearly chirped. “It’s you. Are you safe? Is your brother there? Can we come get you? We’re all ready. Like, right now. Please let us get you.”

“Calm down kid, don’t jump down Bunny’s throat.” Tony’s exasperated sigh filtering through. 

“Come on Tony, not every day that someone reappears out of the blue after being kidnapped by Hydra.” Natasha teased. “Let the kid enjoy his moment with her.”

“Good to hear from you.” Steve responded. “But what we need to know right now is whether you were successful.”

“Yeah. He’s here. He…” There was a slight hesitation in her voice, making Bucky twitch where he stood. “He says that he’s going to show me why he went dark. And he told me to tell you that this is check in code Alpha - Tango - Foxtrot - 2997 Beta… I’m not really sure what he means…”

“Alright. I’ll let SHIELD know. But we need to know whether extraction is necessary.” Steve had his Captain America voice going, Bucky rolled his eyes. They needed to get her out of there, she wasn’t safe in Hydra’s hands and they all knew it.

“I… I don’t think so.”

“What are you, crazy?” Peter scoffed. “We can’t just leave you in there unprotected! We’re right here, we can take them all out at once!”

“No, spidey. I think that I need to see this through. I can support Kostya. Check in from the inside. He said he was going to explain everythi- shit I have to go! Really. Right now just…”

They each heard a small crackle as the line went dead.

“I’ve still got eyes on her. There’s no one around her, but she’s running back into the main hall. Looks like she’s heading for one of the rooms. So, what do we do Captain?”

[dargeereads]

Kostya by Roxie Rivera

5 stars

I LOVE THIS  BOOK!!!!!!

 It had  everything you could ever want or need in a romantic suspense. Sexy, alpha,  deeply caring bratva men and a smidge of underground fighters. International  undercover, and double, and triple, agents. Enemies, and friends, from the  past, that have come back, with unclear motives. Rival bad guys, and  balancing it all. And at the heart of it all, men who love their women  unconditionally, and will do anything to keep them safe. Women who will do  anything for the men they love, and support them, while they protect  themselves. The twists and turns keep coming, but for every reveal, there is  another question. And for everything that comes to be seen, you realize it  was right there in front of you all along

 Kostya has  been waiting forever for Holly, and he will wait until forever, because he  knows he can’t have her. He is in too deep, knows to much, has done too much,  to sully her. But he doesn’t have a choice, because Holly has decided she has  had enough waiting and wants more. Resistance really is futile, but the world  they are both living in has plans for them. Horrible and nasty things  planned, and it will take all they have just to make it through alive.

 An amazing  story of love, family, and danger. Sacrifices made, and promise kept.  Unconditional devotion, protection, and caring for those around you that  matter to you. Kostya and Holly weren’t supposed to end up together, but the  attraction between them is undeniable. The heat they give to each other,  burns from the inside out. The emotions that pass between them will not be  denied. Everyone who thinks they aren’t made for each other needs to get on  board, because this will not be denied!