Private detective Chris Mason thought he only had to worry about his brother Dylan discovering he was dating Homicide detective James Harris. Dylan and their best friend, Ron Abrams, don’t like James, and Chris has to handle their animosity towards his lover. But then Chris is targeted by a serial killer who leaves snapdragons with his victims.<br><br>James leads the Snapdragon investigation as head detective. As each murder links Dylan and Ron to the killings, James questions Ron’s motives and his connections to Chris. Ron’s pet name for Chris has always been Snapdragon. Could there be more behind Ron’s playful teases than Chris knows?<br><br>When Ron’s attraction to Chris is exposed, their friendship totters. Is a darker side to Ron revealed? Could he be involved with the Snapdragon murders? And will Chris be able to solve the case before he becomes the killer's next victim?

Snapdragon

“I wouldn’t dare cross him when it comes to you. I know I don’t pass his qualifications,” Ron said. “He tells me all the time to leave you alone. Soon as he snaps out of his mental quandary, he’ll realize we’re alone in here and he’ll be in. He isconcentrating, so I give it a few minutes.”


“So true.” Chris grabbed another egg. “How would anyone know about Snapdragon, though?”


Ron shrugged. “Maybe the guy just likes dangerous-looking flowers.”


“You think I’m like a dangerous-looking flower?” he asked, resting the egg on the edge of the bowl and looking at Ron.


Ron smiled. “Oh, I know not to be deceived by your beauty.”


Chris looked away from Ron’s enchanting smile, shaking his head. “You are trouble.”


“I’d better get back to him,” Ron said, nodding toward the dining room. “Hey, if James makes you happy, then I hope it works out. You deserve to be happy.” He ran a hand across Chris’s back as he walked out of the kitchen.


Chapter 7