Can two broken men build one life? Ten years. That’s what Makai lost for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s been exonerated, but the abuse he suffered in prison isn’t so easy to leave behind. He heads to the one place he remembers being happy: Acker, Wisconsin, where he spent summers with his grandpa. Unfortunately, not everyone wants Makai there. Ten days. That’s how long Emil, now twenty-one, was held prisoner as a teenager. The mental and physical injuries he suffered at the hands of a drug trafficking ring still haunt him. Nightmares, anxiety, and PTSD challenge the connection forming between Makai and Emil, though together, they might find a way to move beyond their pain and into a future -- and a relationship -- that both had thought impossible. Now they just have to convince Emil’s father, the town sheriff. It won’t be easy with danger closer than they know ...

“Yeah,” Emil managed, then rubbed his eyes like a little kid and hummed. “Your bed is really comfy.”


“Shit, yeah, sorry about that.” Emil tried his best to look contrite, but he just didn’t seem to have it in him. Either he really wasn’t that sorry, or it was too early in the morning for him.


“It’s fine. I didn’t want to disturb you when I moved the babies. The couch wasn’t that bad. Too short, but otherwise it’s pretty okay.”


“Well, most things might be too short for you,” Emil pointed out cheekily.


“You ain’t wrong there.” Makai flipped the last pancake. “Breakfast is almost ready. If you want to use the bathroom first, now would be the time.”


“Oh, right. Be right back.” Emil shuffled away, and Makai caught a glimpse of long, pale legs and the backs of Emil’s knees.


Chapter 54