MIKE BRAVO OPS: ZEUS

Mike Bravo Ops #4

by Eden Finley

Cover & Excerpt Reveal

Release Date: March 28, 2024

Cover Design:






Cate Ashwood Designs

Genre: M/M Romantic Suspense Standalone

Trope: Found family

Synopsis

CALLIE

After constantly looking over my shoulder as I run for my life, I’m on the brink of giving up.

On happiness.

On love.

On life.

Which is why, when a familiar face shows up where I’m hiding, I shock myself by running again. Though, probably not as shocked as Zeus is when I run him off the road with my car.

For some reason, my survival instinct is stronger than my mind is, and I find myself fighting for the life I’m not even sure I want.

On the run and nowhere to turn, I flee into the arms of the last person I should. Suddenly, I find myself involved in one of the worst crime syndicates in Las Vegas, and no way to get out.

ZEUS

Why would Callie run away from me? I’m delightful, damn it. I mean, sure, he probably thinks I’m trying to kill him, but I’m not. I’ve been hired to make sure he’s okay and that he’s surviving after escaping an abusive relationship, making mistakes, and putting multiple people’s lives in danger.

He screwed up, but he doesn’t deserve to die for it. And now, because of me, his life is at risk yet again.

Technically, my job is done. Callie is still breathing. That’s all I was supposed to find out. But I can’t sit by knowing he’s selling his soul. His body. I need to get him out, and I’ll go to any lengths to do it.

**Mike Bravo Ops Zeus deals with some sensitive topics. Please check the Look Inside feature for trigger warnings**

Excerpt

Zeus takes my upper arm and drags me toward the bedroom one of Pierre’s guys points him to.

“Have fun,” Zeus’s partner sings from where he’s still playing poker.

“He’s not really your boyfriend, is he?” I ask in a low tone.

“Nope.”

Once inside the bedroom and the door’s closed, I remember Arabella’s warning about the cameras.

So, instead of standing here, waiting for Zeus to do or say something that could get us both killed, I move toward him, press against his insane body, and before I can think, before I can anticipate what I’m going to do, I practically maul his face in what’s supposed to be a searing kiss. Only, it doesn’t pan out that way because the minute our lips touch, he grips my hips hard and tries to push me away. For both our sakes, I hold firm.

“There are cameras,” I murmur against his mouth. “And there’s probably someone watching, so you can’t kill me here.” Even though Arabella says there’s no audio, I can’t be sure, so I make sure to speak in low tones.

Zeus doesn’t miss a beat, and when he pulls his head back, he orders me to “Get on the bed.”

My eyes widen. “W-why?”

“So it looks like I’m taking advantage of you when I’m not going to,” he whispers.

“Because you’re going to kill me instead?”

He laughs, but he must see the fear in my eyes because he says, “I’m not here to kill you.” For show, he cups my cheek like he’s admiring his merchandise, and I hate that I have the urge to lean into it.

I don’t for one second believe he’s not going to kill me.

“Now, get on the bed before I make it look like I’m forcing you to.”

“The sick fucks in this place will probably get off on that, so do whatever you need to,” I blurt.

Zeus’s eyes flutter closed, and his body gives an almost imperceptible shiver.

Hey, it’s not the first time someone’s been turned off by me. By what I used to do for a living.

In the next second, Zeus is on me, his big hand around my throat, pushing me toward the bed.

God damn my cock for responding.

With a swift-looking but gentle shove, he forces me onto the bed and nods for me to wriggle up so my head is on the pillow.

The literal Greek god physique of his is revealed little by little as he slowly takes off his suit jacket and tie and then unbuttons his shirt.

My mouth waters, and he can tell the effect he has on me. Zeus licks his lips while staring at my cock trying to break free of the tight underwear.

I lie still, my hands fidgeting at my side from nerves.

Is he … is he actually going to go through with this? Am I … Are we …? Why do I hope the answer to that is yes?

He finally loses the shirt, and I get it now. He hasn’t been sent here to straight up kill me. He needs to torture me first.

I bite my bottom lip, and something like heat fills his eyes.

Zeus’s knees hit the bed, then his hands, as he crawls on top of me and lowers his body weight to press against mine.

He leans in, talking into my neck and sending his warm breath all over my skin. “Is there any audio I need to be aware of?” His voice is raspy and so damn sexy.

“I was told no, but I can’t be sure.”

“Okay. Noted.” Zeus’s hand goes back to my throat, and my hips involuntarily thrust upward.

Fuck.

He chuckles.

Of course he’d be entertained by his target being unable to control himself. He’s probably used to having anyone and everyone throwing themselves at him.

“So, what’s the plan here?” I croak.

Zeus’s hand is relaxed at my throat, and even I know not to ask him to tighten his grip. Even if I want him to.

“Where are the cameras?”

“I have no clue. I was just told there were some.”

“Got it. Let me think about how to get you out of here without alerting them to it.” His brow scrunches.

“Why? So you can move me from one trapped situation to another? So Lemon’s boyfriend has the chance to kill me himself?”

“Husband,” he says.

“What?”

“They’re married now.”

Fuck. I mean, I’m happy for Lemon. Truly. He got a chance at a real knight in shining armor, and he deserves all the happiness in the world. What I did to them—setting them up to be killed by Stephen and David—I’m the reason he almost didn’t get to have that.

“Am I their wedding present?” I ask.

“Nah, they don’t share. I’ve tried.”

I want to laugh. Really, I do. “I mean giving me to them. My head on a silver platter.”

Zeus lifts up on his forearms to meet my eyes. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

There’s a stupid, naïve part of me that believes him, but I can’t let myself think like that. So for now, I’ll do what I have to. And if that includes going with Zeus, letting him get me out of here and trying to ditch him later, then that’s what I have to do.

“I’m sorry I hit you with my car,” I say softly, and he laughs.

“Hey, it was fun.”

“And as much as I appreciate you not taking advantage of this situation, I don’t think they’re going to believe you’re getting off.”

“Isn’t this what most johns do? Lie on top of you, wriggle around a bit, and then come their brains out because their unused dicks can only take so much friction before they give in?”

“I … I wouldn’t know. You’re my first.”

“First … john?”

It’s a weird thing to be ashamed of, but for some reason, that’s all I feel. “Yeah.”

“In that case, let’s hope we can make me your last too. I’m going to get you out of here.”