No Love Lost (Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten Book 5)

by Lexi Blake

“I can handle it.” He hoped. He’d only been there once, and it hadn’t seemed so weird to him. When he thought about it, his life had started again in that tiny Colorado town where he’d met up with his wife after years apart.

  “And the beets. There are so many beets.” Tag shook his head. “And the nudists. Whole lot of junk on display on the mountain, if you know what I mean.”

  It was starting to come back to him. Maybe he should rethink this.

  Kim’s hand found his. “Stop scaring him. We’re going to love it there. And thank you for everything.” She went on her toes and kissed him. “Let’s get our son and pick up Ezra. He only has a couple of weeks before he’s got to get back to Malta.”

  He was road tripping with his wife and son and brother. It would be bliss.

  He followed his wife out and into their new lives.

  Epilogue

  Later that afternoon

  Hutch sank into the chair in front of Ian’s desk. “Hey, boss. How is the family?”

  The office had been oddly hushed the last week out of respect for what the Taggarts were going through.

  “We’re good,” Tag said solemnly. “I find myself walking the edge a lot of parents do. I have to find a way to keep my kids safe while not breaking everything that’s good about them. They were being loyal. They were trying to be brave. They were being stupid because they’re kids and not spies. But they were emulating me and their mom. I thought I would be more angry. I just find myself…I don’t even know. Wear a condom, man.”

  He wasn’t used to contemplative Tag. “I do, boss. Every single time.”

  He wasn’t even close to being ready for kids. He’d barely had a real girlfriend. He’d lived with a waitress from Top for a couple of months, but it hadn’t worked out. He wasn’t sure there was some mystical one for him out there. He’d managed to be good friends with some of the women he’d shared a bed with, but he’d never felt that spark his friends with wives talked about.

  But he was about to be an actual homeowner. It was a first step in trying to move into real adulthood.

  “I called you in because I want you to work on a case for me.” Tag handed over a file. “It’s probably nothing, but I got a call from an old friend and I promised him I would look into it.”

  “I’m going in the field?” He almost never went in the field. He was a desk jockey. He was the computer nerd.

  “Sort of,” Tag replied. “Though you won’t be going far. The client is here in Dallas. She works for a biotech firm, and she’s worried there’s some corporate espionage going on.”

  He opened the folder and found a picture of a pretty woman, likely in her early to mid-twenties. She had brown hair and glasses, a ready smile on her face. She wore a white lab coat that hid her figure. But there was something odd in her hands. “Are those crutches? Did she get hurt?”

  “She was in a car accident when she was a teenager,” Tag explained. “She can walk, but she typically uses a cane or braces. She’s a chemist and the daughter of a sheriff friend of mine. He’s worried about her. Says since she started working on this project some weird things have been happening. I want you to study up for the meeting tomorrow.”

  He closed the folder. “Will do, boss.”

  Likely it was nothing. He would look through some computers, make sure her house was secure, and then he would be right back at his desk. Right back to his life of playing video games and being everyone’s fun uncle.

  It was starting to feel a little hollow. He was starting to crave responsibility.

  It was weird.

  He stood.

  “And Hutch,” Tag began. “I’m sending someone out with you. I need you to take care of him.”

  “You’re sending a bodyguard?” Sometimes he got paired with one of the guards. He could get deep into an investigation and focus so much on a screen that it was good to have someone watching his back.

  “I want you to walk Kyle Hawthorne through his first time in the field.” Tag’s expression had gone distinctly serious.

  Hutch stared at him for a moment. “You want me to take your brother’s stepson out in the field? Maybe you should pair him with Erin or Michael. Boomer isn’t doing anything this week.”

  Kyle Hawthorne was Grace Hawthorne’s baby boy. Baby? Hell, Kyle was slightly older than Hutch and had recently gotten out of the Navy. He had a ready smile, but Hutch saw a bit of darkness in the man that made him worry. He knew all about darkness and the things it could make a man do.

  “He can take care of himself.” Tag’s lips kicked up in an amused grin. “Mostly. But I do want you to look out for him.”

  And if he got Kyle killed, Sean Taggart would fillet him.

  Still, like Tag had said. It was probably nothing. “Sure thing.”

  Famous last words. He hoped Noelle LaVigne was worth it.

  He walked back out to his office and read through her file. Tomorrow he would go to work.

  Hutch, Noelle, and the McKay-Taggart crew will return in Submission Impossible, coming February 16, 2021. Click here to purchase.

  Author’s Note

  I’m often asked by generous readers how they can help get the word out about a book they enjoyed. There are so many ways to help an author you like. Leave a review. If your e-reader allows you to lend a book to a friend, please share it. Go to Goodreads and connect with others. Recommend the books you love because stories are meant to be shared. Thank you so much for reading this book and for supporting all the authors you love!

  Submission Impossible

  Masters and Mercenaries: Reloaded, Book 1

  By Lexi Blake

  Coming February 16, 2021

  Click here to purchase.

  He loves the sweet life

  Greg Hutchins is reluctantly adulting these days. He’s settled in his job, recently bought his first house, and has a network of friends he can call family. But there’s something missing in his life, and he can’t quite put his finger on it. When he’s assigned to a case that involves investigating a biochemical company, he meets a woman who’s sweeter than any candy. Maybe she’s just the thing to make him feel complete.

  She’s ready for the future

  Noelle LaVigne has faced plenty of tragedy in her life, but she’s on the right path now. Between her new job and settling into a new city, she’s got no time for dating or relationships. She’s worked hard to get where she is, and no man is going to push her off track. Except the minute Hutch crosses her path she can’t seem to think about anything but the handsome security expert. He’s there to find a corporate spy, but late-night work sessions make her think they’ve both found something much more meaningful.

  A twist they never saw coming

  When the case becomes dangerous, both of their futures are on the line. And when the bullets start flying, they will have to learn to trust in each other if they hope to survive.

  Treasured

  Masters and Mercenaries, Book 21.5

  By Lexi Blake

  Coming June 29, 2021

  Click here to purchase.

  David Hawthorne has a great life. His job as a professor at a prestigious Dallas college is everything he hoped for. Now that his brother is back from the Navy, life seems to be settling down. All he needs to do is finish the book he’s working on and his tenure will be assured. When he gets invited to interview a reclusive expert, he knows he’s gotten lucky. But being the stepson of Sean Taggart comes with its drawbacks, including an overprotective mom who sends a security detail to keep him safe. He doesn’t need a bodyguard, but when Tessa Santiago shows up on his doorstep, the idea of her giving him close cover doesn’t seem so bad.

  Tessa has always excelled at most anything she tried, except romance. The whole relationship thing just didn’t work out for her. She’s not looking for love, and she’s certainly not looking for it with an academic who happens to be connected to her boss’s family. The last thing she wants is to escort an overly pampered pretentious man-child around South Am
erica to ensure he doesn’t get into trouble. Still, there’s something about David that calls to her. In addition to watching his back, she will have to avoid falling into the trap of soulful eyes and a deep voice that gets her heart racing.

  But when the seemingly simple mission turns into a treacherous race for a hidden artifact, David and Tess know this assignment could cost them far more than their jobs. If they can overcome the odds, the lost treasure might not be their most valuable reward.

  About Lexi Blake

  New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings.

  Connect with Lexi online:

  Facebook: Lexi Blake

  Twitter: authorlexiblake

  Website: www.LexiBlake.net

  Instagram: www.instagram.com

  Sign up for Lexi's free newsletter here.

  Other Books By Lexi Blake

  Click to purchase

  ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

  Masters and Mercenaries

  The Dom Who Loved Me

  The Men With The Golden Cuffs

  A Dom is Forever

  On Her Master’s Secret Service

  Sanctum: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Love and Let Die

  Unconditional: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Dungeon Royale

  Dungeon Games: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  A View to a Thrill

  Cherished: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  You Only Love Twice

  Luscious: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped

  Adored: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Master No

  Just One Taste: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 2

  From Sanctum with Love

  Devoted: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Dominance Never Dies

  Submission is Not Enough

  Master Bits and Mercenary Bites~The Secret Recipes of Topped

  Perfectly Paired: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 3

  For His Eyes Only

  Arranged: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Love Another Day

  At Your Service: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 4

  Master Bits and Mercenary Bites~Girls Night

  Nobody Does It Better

  Close Cover

  Protected: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Enchanted: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Charmed: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Treasured: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella, Coming June 29, 2021

  Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten

  Lost Hearts (Memento Mori)

  Lost and Found

  Lost in You

  Long Lost

  No Love Lost

  Masters and Mercenaries: Reloaded

  Submission Impossible, Coming February 16, 2021

  Butterfly Bayou

  Butterfly Bayou

  Bayou Baby

  Bayou Dreaming, Coming December 1, 2020

  Lawless

  Ruthless

  Satisfaction

  Revenge

  Courting Justice

  Order of Protection

  Evidence of Desire

  Masters Of Ménage (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)

  Their Virgin Captive

  Their Virgin’s Secret

  Their Virgin Concubine

  Their Virgin Princess

  Their Virgin Hostage

  Their Virgin Secretary

  Their Virgin Mistress

  The Perfect Gentlemen (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)

  Scandal Never Sleeps

  Seduction in Session

  Big Easy Temptation

  Smoke and Sin

  At the Pleasure of the President

  URBAN FANTASY

  Thieves

  Steal the Light

  Steal the Day

  Steal the Moon

  Steal the Sun

  Steal the Night

  Ripper

  Addict

  Sleeper

  Outcast

  Stealing Summer

  LEXI BLAKE WRITING AS SOPHIE OAK

  Texas Sirens

  Small Town Siren

  Siren in the City

  Siren Enslaved

  Siren Beloved

  Siren in Waiting

  Siren in Bloom

  Siren Unleashed

  Siren Reborn

  Nights in Bliss, Colorado

  Three to Ride

  Two to Love

  One to Keep

  Lost in Bliss

  Found in Bliss

  Pure Bliss

  Chasing Bliss

  Once Upon a Time in Bliss

  Back in Bliss

  Sirens in Bliss

  Happily Ever After in Bliss, Coming Fall 2020

  A Faery Story

  Bound

  Beast

  Beauty

  Standalone

  Away From Me

  Snowed In

  Table of Contents

  Part One

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Part Two

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Epilogue