Eli Bell is the only son of a police chief inspector and a forensic scientist. He's grown up wonky in a world that only deals with the straight and narrow -- and his new boyfriend isn't helping. Rob Hawkes is six feet of muscle, tattoos, and arrest warrants. A career criminal and a former guest of Her Majesty's Prison Service, he'd rather hit Eli's parents than sit down to dinner with them. One wrong move, and Rob could destroy Eli -- and his family -- without a second thought. But this isn't what it looks like. Rob's not in control here -- and Eli's the one to blame.

What It Looks Like

“Rob’s present,” Danny said, then rolled his eyes. “It’s legal, you twat. Open it if you want. Only I’m shit at wrapping stuff so tape it back together if you do. Guy’s like a fucking bloodhound for shit he ain’t meant to find, so I want it out the way, yeah?”


Eli shook it gingerly. It rattled. “What’s in it?”


“New watch,” Danny said, shrugging. “Like I said, look f’you want. Just keep it hidden.”


Eli nodded, shoving it in his backpack haphazardly.


“So,” Danny said, the ear-to-ear grin reappearing. “What you getting him, then? Something fucking disgusting, I bet.”


“No, actually. Something he’ll enjoy for a bit longer than a half hour in his room.”


“Half an hour my arse, way he walks after you’re done with him!”


Eli decided not to dignify Danny’s jeer with an answer, and showed him the T-shirt.


“Nice,” Danny said approvingly. “But give me a bird in a sexy nurse outfit any day.”


Chapter 8