Danny Carmody has lived life privileged but lonely. He has always sacrificed his own needs to meet the demands of his family. Now he is faced with an arranged marriage intended to reunite the Carmodys and the Dwyers, the city's two most powerful families. Out of his sense of duty, he agrees. But always a romantic at heart, he secretly nurtures hopes of finding love within this sterile business arrangement. Once he meets his intended groom, Evan -- a talented, attractive architect -- those hopes soar.<br><br>Evan Dwyer has grown up reviled by his family. Before he was even born, his mother was blamed for breaking up a planned marriage between the Carmodys and the Dwyers. As a result, both Evan and his mother have lived their lives in virtual exile. But now he has suddenly been deemed of use to the families, and they are blackmailing him into participating in the arranged marriage.<br><br>Furious, he reaches out to the FBI for help and finds only more complications. Too many people want to use him to advance their own agendas. By the time Evan realizes Danny might just be the safe harbor he's looked for all his life, it may well be too late. Evan has set in motion forces that threaten to destroy any hope they have for a future together.

Family Ties

Evan had moved next to him, and Danny turned to gauge Evan’s reaction.


Evan was staring, transfixed. As if in a cathedral, he whispered, “Danny, this is incredible. It’s like being a god on Mount Olympus and looking down on all the little humans.”


Pleased that Evan could feel the magic of this place, Danny reached over and took the man’s hand. They stayed like that for a long time, just enjoying the vista in silence.


Finally Danny asked, “Shall we sit down?”


Evan nodded, and they climbed onto the rocks and slipped off their backpacks. Using their jackets as pillows, they stretched out on the warm stone. Danny stayed silent, letting Evan just soak in the tranquility of this place.


After a few minutes, Evan turned to Danny and smiled. “Thank you for showing me this. It’s kind of humbling. And you’re right—it certainly does alter your perspective on those petty little human problems.”


Chapter 57