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 Max got ahold of Tony’s parole officer, Mr. Lang said he’d email Tony’s release photo, then asked why Max wanted it. After Max explained what had been going on, Mr. Lang said he’d add the information to his file on Tony. “You know that there’s nothing I, or the police, can do about this,” he said. “You may be very certain Tony is responsible, but from what you’ve said, you have no firm proof that he is.”


“I know.” Max chuckled sourly. “He’ll have to stick a knife in me, not my picture, in front of witnesses, before that happens.”


“It’s not quite that bad,” Mr. Lang assured him. “Fingerprints will work, if he leaves something again, or sends you something threatening. So would someone seeing him in your yard, since you do have a restraining order against him. I take it the sender’s address on the emails was from a blind account.”


“To tell the truth, it never occurred to me to check,” Max admitted.


Chapter 26