Rogue (Jericho's Boys #2)

Here's Only James's "Rogue." It's the second book in her Jericho's Boys series (which is one of the two spin-off series from her Necessary Evils series--aka the Mulvaney Boys series (which is still some of the best books in the genre I ever read)).

["Levi Akira’s existence is far from ideal. His mother's addiction consumes their lives, his academic standing is crumbling, and the convenience store he works at is a constant target for ruthless robberies. But amidst the chaos, Levi finds solace in only three things: his tight-knit group of friends, protecting his neighborhood as one of Jericho’s Boys, and streaming his favorite video game, where he assumes the role of Rogue—a hero who will break the rules for the greater good.

Shiloh Mizrahi’s hope has all but dwindled. With one brother unjustly imprisoned, and the other a sadistic puppeteer, he endures daily torment at the hands of the latter. And his latest demand? Get close to Levi at any cost.

In the midst of another ordinary night shift, Levi's world is upended when a captivating and terrified stranger appears, brandishing a weapon and claiming he has been forced to kill Levi by his own brother. Levi, torn between self-preservation and an instinctive aversion to harming the vulnerable boy, takes a bold leap—he kisses him. And then, just like that, the boy disappears into the night, leaving Levi haunted by his memory.

Driven by an unshakeable connection, Levi's path crosses with Shiloh's once more, igniting a passionate bond that refuses to be extinguished. However, Shiloh harbors a labyrinth of secrets, torn between loyalty and desire. With his brother's freedom dangling in the balance, can Levi and Shiloh navigate the treacherous path to be together, or will Levi forever remain a hero confined to the online realm?"]

THESE BOOKS! D: THESE BOYS!! D: D: I CAN'T!!! D: D: D: 

I've been obsessed (like Adam level obsessed) with these serieses for months. They're just so perfect! The sweetest amount of murder-boyfriends and dark romance and unhealthy but still somehow romantic levels of love and protection and possession and dedication. These Mulvaneys and these Jericho Boys are just so freaking D: 

Levi deserved something or someone just his own, just for his love, just for his protection, and that was Shiloh in so many ways. Shiloh wanted a voice, wanted a protector, wanted a life, and Levi gave him all of that and more. They were both broken, both abused in their own ways, both from horrible families, but they found their own pathways, their own 'therapies', their own families. Their love wasn't perfect either, but it was their choice (!), and they wouldn't have it any other way. 

Trigger Warnings: suicidal ideations, suicide of a parent in graphic detail, on page physical assault of a main character, brief mentions of past sexual assault, sexual abuse of a child, talk of alcohol abuse by a side character, and graphic torture of people who totally deserve it. 

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