Bad Things by Varian Krylov

Bad Things

by Varian Krylov

Xavier makes a lot of people nervous. The rest, he flat-out scares. More than his hulking, tattooed body, it's his predator's gaze that makes people feel vulnerable, as if he had the power to read their thoughts and see their soul. For his lovers, it's Xavier's ravenous appetite for all things carnal—for the taste of flesh under his tongue and the feel of a trembling body under his control, for whispered pleas and muffled cries—that makes him dangerous.

But recently, driven by a festering rage against the men who attacked his sister a decade ago, Xavier has developed a taste for a different kind of hunt and conquest: stalking men who do truly bad things and punishing the predators he sniffs out. The problem with vigilante justice, though, is sometimes the man in your trap is innocent.

Carson suspects he's playing a risky game with dangerous men. But the lies are convincing, especially when they're slipped to him among hundred dollar bills. He never guessed how big and dark the secret hidden under all the lies and money could be. And he has no idea he's not the predator, but the prey, until it's too late.

And you can't beg for mercy when there's a gag in your mouth.

But when Carson escapes from Xavier's trap, he's forced to accept that Xavier is far from his most dangerous enemy. Xavier may even hold the key to overcoming the painful past that has kept Carson prisoner for almost two decades

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** spoiler alert ** 
If you have not read Dangerously Happy I recommend you read it First. You meet Xavi in it. 


Bad Things is Xavier's story, years ago his sister was brutally sexually assaulted, and he is somewhat scarred but that and is brutal. Though he is rough, you can clearly tell he has strong emotions and is not completly lost. 

Enter Carson, bartender at a club Xavi is doing recon on. Seems straight on the surface, but Xavi wants to change that, he can sense Carson wants him.
Carson is so timid and sweet whereas Xavi is hard and cold.
Due to a misunderstanding Xavi thinks Carson is up to no good and decides he will teach him a lesson and pull information out of him in his dungeon of pain/sex. 
WHEW, this book was brutal. I hurt for Carson... and Xavior for that matter. He was so damaged.. 
Xavi really hurts Carson, and Carson still cares deeply for him. It is so unhealthy and I wanted so bad for them to heal together. 



I really enjoyed this one, especially bringing in the characters from the first book to help Caso know what it should really be like between lover.

* sigh - Brutal read. But very good.