Zuko. Is that even yourrealname? It sounds made up.” A change of subject—she is so very good at deflecting. We met the Hunter brothers in a Villain’s Lies, although they weren’t in the story for long they made quite an impact. Zuko, the eldest Hunter brother, is the male lead in this story and he is one dark, twisted guy but I quite like him. I like his honesty and how upfront he is with everyone. Is he deadly? Too right, however, he never shies away from that and owns up to enjoying his ‘career’. I cannot wait for the next book. So glad I have discovered TL Smith because I enjoyed this book immensely and need more.

Alaska, the FMC, is the one who is known as/calls herself Sage in the sex call centre whatever it is, she also works in a bar where Louise, her colleague, asks Alaska to serve her area because she is terrified of the men in that area. One of those men is Zuko and after he hears her talk, he immediately asks what her name is and of course she says her real name. Nothing bothers me. No one affects me. Except the vixen with the lilac hair. When I reveal my true self to her, she laughs it off, enticed by the game we play. No, it’s Zuko, Zuko, Zuko,” I correct her, pushing my fingers in deeper. I pull away as she closes her legs around my face, too sensitive now for further touch, and offer her my hand. She takes it, and I help her sit up so she doesn’t hurt her belly. Good, because I wasn’t going to wear any even if it was.” She turns, grabs her purse, and heads to her bedroom door.This was sinful. I felt like I shouldnt like it because Zuko is a bad bad man, but I did... Zuko could play with his knife & me any day. She's keeping secrets. And I know all about prying information out of people. She won't like my methods. But I'll keep playing her little game until I decide what to do about her. My mouth starts to move, and I push her leg down that’s closest to the mirror so she can see from every angle just how much I love tasting her. My tongue works her clit, dipping lower so she can feel it everywhere. When she starts to squirm, I slip a finger inside her, and she pulses around me as I add another, never once slowing my mouth.

Zuko, the MMC, calls a sex (?) call centre just to hear the voice of Sage (not the real name) because it reminds of a swan (okay, Zukie, whatever you say) such an adorable man. Okay, we can agree to disagree,Zuko.” She says my name long and drawn out as it rolls off her tongue. “How would you like today to go?” My job is to hunt. Dispose of problems like they never existed. And I'm incredibly good at my job. It's brutal and violent. But, then again, so I am. I crave destruction. Death is merely a consequence of my dark pursuits. And I won't lose a wink of sleep over it, either. Alaska is a strong woman who is a sassy feisty woman that doesn't take any crap. Shes working two jobs at the minute, one as a cowgirl waitress and a phone sex worker. After one call from a guy he becomes obsessed with her voice and calls her all the time. Well that is until one night he comes into the bar where she is working

This is about a strong independent FMC who works in a bar and has a secret identity as a phone sex worker. One of her regulars to call, unbeknownst to her is one of the Hunter brothers, a known family of very wealthy hitmen. They hunt and kill without remorse wiping out competition of their clients in exchange for very good coin. The MMC, her regular caller, arrives at the bar where she works. He is immediately intrigued by her. Yet he doesn't know her secret identity, but she knows who he is. Moments of Malevolence by T. L. Smith is a dark romance standalone with themes that might be triggering for some readers so do proceed with caution.

He thinks our conversations are more than just sex. He's wrong. The intimacy he feels is all a facade. Until the day an embodiment of my darkest fantasies walks into my bar, and his unmistakable voice sends a shiver down my spine. The first part of the book got me hooked. I loved the dynamic, connection and banter between Alaska and Zuko. And then, I don't know exactly when it went wrong for me, but TL Smith somehow lost me. That hasn't happened in the past, which really surprised me.Um… Wow, okay.” Grabbing her sky-high heels from the floor at the foot of the bed, I kneel down and slide them on for her, so she doesn’t have to bend. It’s been a hot minute since I read dark romance and this was actually good and I had fun reading it 💜 Since Grayson’s book I was really excited for the Hunter brothers books! As expected this was dark, twisted and kinky. It was also a short book, with that being said it had plot and didn’t feel rushed! I loved Alaska, she had such good humor, was a badass and bold character! Even tho she and Zuko were different, she still matched his craziness 😆 They were such a hot and cute couple (yes cute, you will see once you read). Zuko is a hunter and killer and very unhinged! You will see it all in the book! He was a twisted man with twisted kinks but I liked that he said he wouldn’t do anything kinky if that’s what she wanted! Also the way he fell for her voice and then for her was so sweet. The way he would take care of Alaska, worried and cared for her was cute 🫂 I loved his twin brothers Kyson and Kenzo moments! I’m looking forward to their books next 🤭 This is a dark and spicy romance read with enemies to lovers, touch her and die vibes, forced proximity and is an HEA. If you like dark romances you will definitely like this shorter story. Think Mafia bad boy feel combined with Haunting Adeline.

It turns out I'm not the one in control. But when he calls tonight, and he will, I'll be ready… with a lie. Zuko is one of the Hunter brothers and he is a ruthless, deadly powerful guy and when he turns up at the bar where this sexy voice he's been hearing alot he recognises it right away and now he's seen her he gives of total touch her and die vibes. She nods, and I get down on my hands and knees in front of her. She pushes up to her elbows and turns to look at the mirror as my mouth lands on her clit. She jolts a little before she relaxes. I hear her chewing gum on the other end of the line and listen as she blows a bubble and it pops loudly into the receiver.

I have a hard time rating this book. Because on the one hand I enjoyed reading it and read it in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down. On the other hand I have so many problems with it, that I can't count them all. I also really love the grumpy x sunshine friendship between Alaska and Louise. The most supportive work bestie ever.