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

When they got to the lot, Deacon said, “I’ll see you Sunday.”


“We never settled on a time,” Max pointed out.


“I close at six. Let’s say seven. That’ll give me time to go home and change.”


“Seven it is. I’ll meet you there,” Max replied. “I’m looking forward to it.”


“Me, too,” Deacon said as he got into his car. “See you then.”


As he drove home, Max wondered why he’d agreed to what was, essentially, a date. Because it’s time I started living again, and he’s a nice guy? Probably. Nothing may happen, other than having a new friend. If so, there’s not a damned thing wrong with that. 3


Max was looking forward to dinner with Deacon, even though he knew it could end up being just that—dinner with a new friend. He refrained from telling Jack about it. Jack had spent the last two years lobbying, as Max thought of it, for him to get out and find someone. Max didn’t want to get his nephew’s hopes up that he had, until there was a reason to.


Chapter 10