In a future where outposts swelter beneath a nuclear sun and run-gunners patrol dusty wastelands to protect against winged creatures known as devlars, Trin is the mech at the waystation in Arens. He has a thing for the gunners: rough men with strong hands and hard bodies, who roll through his garage like the hot desert wind. Gerrick’s the best gunner around, a quick draw with a deadly aim and a penchant for sharing his pallet with young men. He has a roving eye and roaming hands, and has left a string of broken hearts in his wake. Having heard the tales of Gerrick's bravery and seen the man in action for himself, Trin has fallen in love with the man he believes Gerrick to be, and he’s sure he can change the gunner’s mind if given the chance. Gerrick’s all he wants out of this blasted world, and he tells anyone who will listen. Then Gerrick rides through Arens. He’s heard the rumors of what Trin will do for a gunner who only mentions his name. What he wants to know is, what will Trin do for him?

Trin

With an uneasy laugh, Gerrick starts, “Blain, really, I think you’re overreacting here—”


“My brother’s not going to end up with a bullet in his head,” Blain spits. Trin’s pulse quickens…a bullet? Sweet Jesus. He’s never heard Blain so livid before. “You’re nothingto him, do you hear me? I won’t let you fuck him over the way you’ve always done before. He’s not another one of your sluts, he’s not some nameless boy you won’t remember five minutes after you roll out. He’s my brother. He’s the reason I gave up gunning. You hurt him, Gerrick, and you’ll answer to me.”


Silence. Trin feels his heart twist in his chest at his brother’s spiel. No, he wants to shout, No!The gunner can’t leave. Who cares about some strung out kid pining away at one of the inposts? Gerrick’s staying with him, Blain can’t threaten him away. He just can’t


Quietly, so quietly that Trin has to strain to hear him, Gerrick whispers, “Don’t fuck with me, Blain.”


Chapter 20