Mark Vincent has risen from senior special agent to Director of Interior Affairs in the WBIS. Lately, life has been sweet for him -- in addition to his promotion, he's found a partner in Quinton Mann, who can almost match his ability in the intelligence field, in spite of the fact Quinn's CIA. Mark has also found a condo in Alexandria with the help of Portia Mann, Quinn's mother, and it's closer to Quinn's town house than Mark's present apartment. Sweetest of all, Mark plans to take Quinn to his island in the Caribbean for the holidays.<br><br>Quinn's glad he has the holiday with Mark to look forward to -- something is going on at Langley, and he feels he's being kept out of the loop. To make matters even worse, useless missions and sleepless nights filled with nightmares are leaving him exhausted. But then his mother's life if threatened, and Quinn discovers the accident that resulted in her hospitalization was no accident. The obsessively self-absorbed Senator Wexler is involved, and while Quinn considers himself a civilized man, now he's out for blood.<br><br>Up until this point, Mark has stayed out of Quinn's CIA business. But hurting Quinn and those he loves isn't a smart move, and Mark has every intention of seeing Wexler pays. Quinn demands to come along, and while Mark isn't happy, he finally agrees, and they set out together to deal with the senator. There's just one catch: this will be the first time Quinn sees Mark at his deadly best, and Mark isn't sure how his lover will react.

Forever

Gregor raised Mother’s hand to his lips and smiled into her eyes.


Jeff hugged his partner and kissed him warmly.


I was startled to see Tony pull Bryan into a hug. They stood like that for a moment, and when my youngest uncle stepped back, he smiled warmly. I was pleased they had repaired their relationship.


Mark didn’t kiss me, just shook my hand. The look in his eyes, though—it promised more for afterward, much more.


Mother reached for her cane. Gregor made sure she was steady on her feet, then stood to the side as she crossed the floor to join Tony and Bryan.


She rested her palm against Tony’s cheek. “I hope by next New Year’s Eve, you’ll have found your one.”


He shrugged. “I think that possibility has passed me by. And forgive me for saying this, but seeing how miserable Johanna made you, Bryan, and seeing how alone you’ve been since Nigel died, Portia, I believe I prefer it that way.”


“It wasn’t all misery, big brother.” Bryan’s smile had faded, but he seemed in earnest.


Chapter 118