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

“And I’m not letting him be there alone,” Jack said.


“Good man.” Deacon gripped Jack’s shoulder momentarily. “The second you hear back from Art, call me to let me know what’s going on. If he meant it when he said you and I can’t be there tonight, Jack, you can stay at my place.” He smiled dryly. “We can keep each other from going crazy, wondering what’s happening.”


Max and Jack arrived home around two-thirty. By three, despite the fact he’d said working would take his mind off everything, Max was once again a bundle of nerves. So when his phone rang twenty minutes later, he almost jumped out of his skin. Since the Caller ID showed Officer Stern’s name, he answered, and was told that Art, and a detective, would be there in ten minutes. “I’ll call again when we’re at the back gate.”


Max sighed with relief when he’d hung up, then went to tell Jack the news.


“With luck,” Jack said, “this will be over tonight.”


Chapter 37