My name is Brant Colton. I'm a blackmailer -- a good one -- and I make no apologies for my chosen career.<br><br>One evening, at a very private club I belong to, I spotted a young man who piqued my interest. Why? Because he, Lorne Raynell, wasn't taking advantage of what the club had to offer. It took time, but I finally found out why. He was intent on finding out who murdered his brother.<br><br>The rest, as they say, is history. Our history.

Everyone Has Secrets

“That wasn’t funny, Brant,” he said, his expression grim. “You’re tempting fate.”


I nodded. “I suppose I was, but I need to joke about it. Otherwise I’ll start wondering about my mortality. Not a good thing, given what I might be facing tomorrow, if they bite.”


“Gavin was right, we won’t let it happen. You’re going to come out of this alive. Damn it, you’d better!”


“Because you don’t want my death on your conscience,” I replied caustically, repeating what he’d said yesterday.


“Yes. No! Because if something happens to you…” His expression shut down as he looked past me at something I thought only he could see. My imminent demise and how it would affect him on a very personal level? I sure hoped not. I might, no, I did like him—much more than I should. I didn’t want or need himto feel the same way about me. I wasn’t the man he deserved in his life, whether he believed it or not.


Chapter 37