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

“We already decided I’m safe enough at school, since I’ll always be with other people, and Deacon’s going to be acting as my chauffeur.”


“What time do your classes start?” Deacon asked him.


“That’s doable. I’ll pick you up in the morning at eight forty-five.” He glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. “Damn, it’s after eleven. I didn’t realize it was so late.”


“Time flies when you’re having fun,” Max said caustically.


“The first couple of hours did,” Deacon told him. “I enjoyed the movie, and seeing it with you—especially with you.”


“I feel the same. I really do. It’s the aftermath…”


“Which is over, for now, and we ended the evening with a good meal. If you have an extra bedroom, I’ll offer to stay the night, if it will make you feel safer.”


“Unfortunately, we don’t,” Max replied. “Jack’s using two of them as his apartment, for lack of a better word. The one the realtor called the potential master suite is now my office.”


Chapter 21