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David Payne only worked with his Irish teammate for three months before he went under cover for two years on an op that almost got him killed. Waking up to Hunter after his surgery was a surprise and reignited his attraction for the man. When their boss sends him to finish up his required medical leave and home with Hunter to bury his grandfather, Payne not only wants to be there for his teammate, but knows this is the opportunity he’s been looking for to get to know the man better.
There was a reason Ian Hunter hadn’t returned home since he left eight years ago. It had nothing to do with the Kentucky thoroughbred community or his family. No, it had everything to do with the man who abused him during his high school years.
The passing of his grandfather gives him no choice but to return to the ranch he loved so much and the man who made him a victim when he was younger. He wasn’t a victim now, but returning home wasn’t going to be easy. Even less so, when his boss sends the man he’s been crushing on for the last three years with him.


AUTHOR This book contains M/M sexual situations and is intended for readers of legal age in the country in which they reside. Please store your adult literature responsibly. This book also contains references to sexual abuse. If this is a trigger for you, please do not read.

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2017

33 people are currently reading
64 people want to read

About the author

Brenda Cothern

80 books305 followers
Brenda is an Amazon and ARe best-selling author and resides in Tampa, FL with her husband, six cats, a dog, a turtle named Tammy, and a rabbit named Alice. She is active in the Tampa Bay GLBT, kink, & leather communities, and the owner of Florida Leather & Fetish Pride Weekend event which includes a Mr. & Ms. title contest.
When not putting the voices in her head on paper, Brenda is attending book and fantasy/Sci-fi conventions to meet fans. She also attends leather/kink events as Ms. Florida Leather & Fetish Pride 2016 and teaches about the leather and kink lifestyle.

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5 stars
130 (41%)
4 stars
122 (38%)
3 stars
54 (17%)
2 stars
7 (2%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Christelle.
808 reviews
June 18, 2017
**3.5 stars**
Another story of the I.N.E.T. team and it can be read as a standalone.

This time, it’s about Payne and Hunt. Payne is on the bench after a 2 years undercover operation and is teamed with Hunt to document the operation. These 2 can’t keep their eyes from each other and the sexual tension is…delicious to say the least. Until Hunt has to head back to his family ranch in Kentucky and Payne is ordered to tag along his partner. And they both learned about each other and the abused past of Hunt, cementing their relationship to another level.

I could have gone with more in-depth in the plots, but the sexual tension at galore and the way Payne and Hunt care for each other made up for it.
Why not more stars : I didn’t like the way the story went at 80%. As I had a good time, I blacked out what the MCs did – after all, it’s fiction, not real – but it did tampered a bit my enjoyment.
In overall, not bad : an entertaining law-enforcement series.
Profile Image for Katherine.
5,231 reviews41 followers
May 28, 2020
Good, but gawd the repetition of “I’m sure he’s straight” both men said over and over got really tiresome. I wish there had been more sex scenes between them. And the resolution of the ‘bad guy’ at Hunt’s home was satisfying, but I wish more loose ends were tied up.

Bought as part of audible escape package.
1,060 reviews10 followers
November 18, 2021
After reading ALL the books in this series, Hunt and Payne are my favorite partners...

They've also got the best plot, subplots, and resolutions, too! The only fault I found in this book was the repeated errors (typos are inadvertently made mistakes, off by a letter or two, or autocorrect app, which CAN be turned off while writing) and rather basic grammatical errors (compliment vs complement, which is easily discernible if the context is taken into consideration; however, this means real proofreading and editing needs to occur). Too, too many, for an established writer as Ms. Cothern.

Still, loved this plot, its heroes, and really honorable, courageous, extremely strong main characters who have such loyal, loving convictions for their loved ones, friends, family, and those who don't possess the means or strength and heart to overcome oppression on their own. Payne is simply amazing - physically intimidating yet beautiful in his own way, he's got the biggest heart, intelligence, and superb instincts that serve to help him do what he does best, which is protect, assess, analyze, and act based on his gut and learned instincts. Hunt is similar in character, with a more broken, vulnerable quality based on a haunting history, and a little more bloodthirsty nature due to his past. The beauty of their brand new partnership and relationship is blessed by Hunt's strong familial support and roots, from which he learned the best qualities of humanity, love, and the value of family and home. Without roots and learned humility, compassion, and belonging to a strong foundation of trust, loyalty and friendship, Hunt and Payne wouldn't be the men they have become, nor would they have been so perfect for each other. The sense of justice served, no matter how bloody or seemingly depraved, was heartbreaking, yet understandable. Rhis boom was really good, and is the only one I enjoyed for its plot, subplots, characters, and outcomes. I also liked the break from Slade and by association, Knight (who I really liked despite his temper tantrums, weakness for Slade, and loss of realistic rationale in Book Six). These two (Payne and Hunt) were likeable, unlike the other two couples (aside from Lita and his "partner" in book five - only reason I disliked that one was its antagonist, the agent Lita had to help protect).

Five stars, despite the abundant errors. 👎😾
Profile Image for Chancey "Does not give out 5's like candy"  Knowles.
1,196 reviews18 followers
November 7, 2017
Absolutely do not read this if sexual and emotional abuse is a trigger. It is not just mentioned as part of a history.

I am at a real loss for this one. Not only was it not: as fast paced, about being under cover, or as entertaining; it had some serious flaws that continously took me out of the story. I liked the first story. I loved the second, but this one was not like the other two for multiple reasons.

One, the first 20% if not more, has nothing really going on but wrap up that should have probably been in the 2nd book.

Two, this third story is nothing like the other 2. It's not them going undercover. It didn't include the whole group. I loved Fabi and Chip along with the ranch and thoroughbred scene. I grew up around horses. But this, basically had nothing to do with INET. It would have been better suited in another series or as a complete standalone.

Three, the lack of continuity was an issue for me. Hunt gets mad at Payne for lifting weights due to his healing gunshot wound to the chest. It later bothers Payne when he is trying to clean up his truck (which I guess was only a plot device to get Hunt over). But from that point on, it was like the author completely forgot Payne was injured, as evidenced by: him lifting luggage, pushing and pulling Hunt against his chest, being shoved in the chest, actually fighting, being rolled over etc... No twinge of pain, no worry from Hunt, nothing. It is like it no longer exists, though it was the main reason Payne was the one ordered by Fish to go with Hunt (since he was healing). This was only a few of the examples. There was never even an obligatory "he is such a manly man" that he ignores the pain etc...

Four, I thought it seemed strange that Hunt would leave a week earlier than he had to from the ranch. Along with the fact there was no real wrap up with Chester or Fabi on the "mystery" issue resolution nor how "certain other things" were going to be explained once noticed. It also seemed a little strange that a woman who seemed uncanny in her ability to read things never had an inkling about what had been going on with Hunt or Chip. Plus, at the beginning it says they never even called yet are so close.

It just didn't make a lot of sense to me in multiple places. I would consider reading the next in the series, based on the first two. But, I would definitely do some review reading first.
Profile Image for R.
2,099 reviews
September 14, 2017
This is my favorite of the I.N.E.T. books. Hunt and Payne have become my favorite couple in the series. I like that their feelings for each other have built over a period of time. Hunt's past colors his present so he has baggage. When Payne learns what Hunt endured, he accepts it and helps him close that door to his past in a very definitive way. Two minds, one goal. I recommend reading the series in order for the insight it gives to all the characters.
557 reviews
June 9, 2017
Better & better, loved the story!

Brenda Cothern, you're amazing! Each story you've written has been better than the last. The story of Payne and Hunt is incredible and I won't give away the story because you just have to read it. The care Payne and Hunt give each other, never to diminish the other person is an amazing love story. I can't wait for your next book!
Profile Image for Aethena Drake.
1,181 reviews3 followers
October 30, 2017
Kinda brutal. Decent read, but kinda brutal.

This book felt like a the author was venting some serious rage. Not unjustified emotionally, but ...
Definite morality issues in this story.

Feels like Cothern is getting a little stronger at writing characters. I usually like the stories, but sometimes feel emotionally disconnected from the main characters.
414 reviews3 followers
June 16, 2017
I.N.E.T. 3

Brenda makes me always feel something and the story of Hunt and Payne was no different. I laughed at the group's antics and got emotional with Hunt and loved the way Payne was there for him.
Profile Image for blue night.
452 reviews22 followers
June 24, 2017
As I said in my review of the 2nd book in the series - the characters made me want to read and see what happened. What happened was very little editing, some nonsensical plot, and exhausting explanations of feelings. I tried, but mostly I just skimmed to see what happened.
193 reviews
April 12, 2023
Sexy agents

Gets better with every story. Serious themes. Also knows how to interspace humor with heart wrenching moments. Hunt and Payne are great, sexy and perfect for each other. Give me more!
374 reviews2 followers
June 5, 2017
Loved it!!

I totally enjoyed Hunt and Payne. Excellent chemistry and I liked seeing some of the characters from previous books. Hoping Lita get his story next.
Profile Image for Shawnie Nicole.
1,243 reviews14 followers
June 14, 2017
I loved this so much!!!!

I hope Chip gets a story! He is a rider! LoL
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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