The Great North, Quebec, 1934. Joe Vega, the Beast, has been locked up in Linhart Prison for three years. The brutish guards harass him because of his size, but Joe remains cool. Until Christophe Dubois, the disowned son of an affluent politician, is led into Joe's cell. From the moment Joe sees him, he suspects the ginger-head is trouble. Christophe is bold, curious, and feisty, and Joe can't resist the temptation of climbing into the man's bunk for long. However, the beautiful spoiled Christophe is a furnace to which both guards and convicts want to warm their hands, and Joe must fight to keep Christophe safe. Linhart Prison may be a cruel place, but when the two men are released from its walls, they find an even tougher world out there. Is the flame burning between Joe and Chris enough to keep them together?

Linhart's Beautiful Beast

The cell was locked again. There was ten minutes to go before breakfast.


Joe made his bed, tucking the sheets and blankets in tightly, until all creases had disappeared. He poured himself a cup of water and used the last third of it to splash his face. Now, he was awake and eager to go out there again. He made certain the cell was as it should be in case of an inspection, and then strapped his boots on, lacing them up tightly at the ankles. It was going to be cold out there, but he was going to enjoy every minute of it. Joe pulled on the laces hard, but on the last jerk, pain tore up the side of his hand, stealing a grunt out of him.


Chapter 20