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 ...

“You’re such a softie,” Emil said fondly.


“Can you make the coffee?” Makai asked, putting away the extra cat food and batting his lashes at Emil.


“Yeah, sure. How’s the chest?” Emil went to put the coffee maker on. Makai could’ve done it with one hand. He’d practiced enough times now, but it was about ten times faster if Emil did it instead.


“Achy. Nothing new, though. Do you wanna go for a walk with our coffees?” he asked.


Nora had bought them both fancy travel mugs for their walks so they could always have a drink with them when they wanted something else than bottles of water.


Emil flicked the percolator on. “Yeah, sure. I’ll go brush my teeth first.”


Chapter 79