Beau, thirty-five, is a gangland enforcer who has gone into hiding rather than following the orders of his boss, Mercer, to harm a rival's kid. Now, all Beau wants to do is eliminate Mercer before getting out of town. When Rick, an eighteen-year-old denizen of the streets, witnesses Beau killing one of Mercer's men who has found him, Beau takes Rick under his wing instead of killing him, as well. He offers Rick a place to stay while he figures out how to put his plan to take Mercer out into action -- without ending up dead himself. Befriending Rick is an act Beau may come to regret. Rick convinces Beau to take him along when he leaves town -- thus working his way into Beau's dangerous life on the run -- and perhaps, into his heart, if Beau can come to grips with the fact that Rick is half his age. Note: This story contains scenes of graphic violence.

The Runaway and the Enforcer

His talk with Rick about their relationship, or what might become one, had resulted in his treating the younger man as more than a friend, although nowhere near close to being a lover. They hadn’t even kissed, but they did hug at times, or snuggle on the sofa while watching TV.


If I could get past the fact he’s so much younger than me, perhaps things will develop into something more. He knew it was a big hurdle in his mind, if not Rick’s.


He also knew, from the information Rick had given Toby for his new driver’s license, that Tuesday was his birthday. Beau decided to ask for the day off, so he and Rick could mark it in style. Going into his bedroom, not wanting Rick to overhear him, he called the club just before opening Monday afternoon to talk to Karl.


When Karl asked why, Beau told him, “A friend of mine is having a birthday and I want to help them celebrate it.”


“Friend as in the kid you’re living with?”


Chapter 35