Mark Dauphin loves his nephews, Sam and Logan, and he'll do anything his brother-in-law Cole asks, but when Cole wants Mark to play nice with Stefano Magnussi, Mark isn't sure he can comply. Stefano is hotter than fire, but Mark can't see past the fact that Stefano is one of those guys, the type of men who date guys half their age, the type of guys who made Mark give up on dating.<br><br>Of course, a little wine and several cocktails later, Mark finds himself dropping more than his defenses with Stefano. But when Logan and the rest of Mark's family surprise them in the morning, Mark and Stefano are suddenly at odds.<br><br>When Logan's ego is wounded, not only does Mark find himself desperate to fix his relationship with his nephew, but he also questions whether his night with this beautiful man meant anything to either of them. Mark isn't given much time to reflect though, as the war that's been brewing between the shivers comes to a violent head, and he soon learns that sometimes you just have to trust in those around you.

Mark's Midlife

“I can see why people say you’re such a brilliant lawyer,” Sam said.


“Likewise, kid,” Mrs. Worthington said. “Also, Sam, one day Charles and I will give up our roles as shiver leaders. Our shiver has always held couple leaders, and I am hoping that when we step down that you, Derek, and Wyn will take up the mantle.”


Sam nodded at her. “That’s very flattering, but we’ve been talking for a while in blood and shark infested waters, not to mention our people are still fighting. What can I do to make them stop?” Sam asked.


“I thought you would never ask,” Mrs. Worthington said.


Our plan wasn’t a brilliant one, but it was something. We considered the old legends, several of which we hadn’t heard about. Then we thought about what the name meant. In Dolphinese, the word for karonden meant “war-ender.” It had similar meanings in other shifter languages.


“So, it’s because the karonden is such a formidable opponent that the other side gives up?” Sam asked.


Chapter 45