Jacob Baumgardner is struggling to get his nonprofit shelter for gay teens off the ground because the building needs a lot of help before it can pass inspection. Raised by his grandparents for part of his life, Jacob feels that the shelter is his chance to honor them, but someone is making things difficult. An anonymous extortionist seems determined to ruin Jacob’s late grandfather’s good name and keep the shelter from opening.<br><br>Luka Smith is struggling to find his place in the world after a traumatic event in his teen years pushed him to run. When Jacob hires him to help with repairs at the shelter, Luka falls for his new boss hard. Luka wants nothing more than to help Jacob realize his dream.<br><br>As they work together to ensure The Promise of Hope Shelter gets off the ground, their feelings for each other only grow. But will a calculating blackmailer close the shelter before it even has a chance?

The Promise of Hope Shelter

“You weren’t reaching for the twenty-five grand?” Lukas asked.


Anderson’s head popped up, and he glared at Luka, then Marcus when he noticed the cell phone recording him. “Put that damned thing away,” he barked.


“We want to know why you’ve been harassing Jacob.” Marcus kept his voice level, but his jaw tensed as he tried to maintain calm. “Why have you been threatening to smear his grandfather’s name?”


“I have no idea what you are talking about!” he retorted, his flabby face reddening as he stomped his booted foot.


“Liar,” Marcus said. “And you’re wrong about the video, but I believe you knew that already, didn’t you? We’ve reviewed it and met with the young man on the recording. Yes, Jacob’s grandfather is on video. He was trying to help that young man, and we’ve confirmed he only paid for the room to keep the boy safe until he could contact a social worker to help him.”


Chapter 42