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

Chris left the sofa and then peeked out the window. James was leaning in the passenger side window of the patrol car. “Mom, James is here. I’ve gotta go.”


“James? Is he that cop you’re dating? I want to meet him.”


“Just in passing. I would like to actually meethim,” she said.


“I promise you will. I’ll call you.”


“I love you, too.” He ended the call, his gaze set on James as he approached the house.


Chris opened the door and waited as James walked up the steps looking weary. James lightly touched his arm as he stepped past him, then let out a soft sigh as he faced Chris.


“Is this a normal day for you?” Chris asked while he shut and locked the door.


“Damn.” He wrapped his arms around James and laid his head on James’s shoulder for a few breaths.


James gently broke the contact. He lightly kissed Chris before taking his hand and leading him to the sofa, where they sat down.


Chapter 25