Twelve years ago, Max Harman survived a vicious attack by his ex-lover Tony. It severed their relationship and landed Tony in prison.<br><br>When Tony’s released from jail, Max’s nephew Jack fears the man may seek revenge on his uncle. Wanting to buy a gun for protection, he visits Deacon Young's shop. Deacon convinces him to bring Max by to do the same. Despite his misgivings, Max gets a gun for security, too.<br><br>When Jack’s fears prove to be correct and Tony starts to stalk Max, Deacon steps in to try to protect him. Can Max's growing interest in Deacon -- and vice versa -- survive Tony's escalating reign of terror?

Protecting Max

Deacon nodded. “I have two clients who were upset when I quit the gym. Since I have equipment set up in my garage, when they asked, I agreed to keep working with them, there. We do it Sunday mornings, since I don’t open the shop until one. I’d rather do it during the week, but they both work.”


“According to the sign on the door, you’re open every day. That doesn’t give you any time off for yourself.”


“From one to nine, except on Saturdays, when it’s nine to nine, and Sundays, which are one to six. So I do have my mornings.”


“All on your own? I mean running the place?” Max asked.


“No. I have an assistant, Frank, who works all day Saturday and Sunday, and from one to six during the week. Weekday evenings are slow, so I handle them on my own.”


Deacon laughed. “Nope. More like I need to pay the mortgages on my house and the shop. And I have this strange desire to eat, and put gas in the car. The same as you, I expect.”


Chapter 9