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

Max nodded. Getting to his feet, he held out his hand. When Deacon rose as well, taking it, Max started toward blindly toward one of the doors off the living room then hesitated.


“This one, remember,” Deacon said with light laugh, leading him to the other one. “Unless you have a thing for storage rooms.


“Not at the moment.” Max opened the correct door, stepping into Deacon’s large, airy bedroom. Bookshelves filled half of one wall, with an old-fashioned dresser next to them. The queen-sized bed took up most of the second wall, set under a pair of windows. There were two more windows on the third wall, with a table and armchair in front of them. The remaining wall held two doors, one, Max presumed to a closet, the other to the bathroom. Between them were pictures of Deacon’s family—not that Max intended on looking at them right then. He had other things on his mind. To wit the kiss Deacon had instigated.


Chapter 47