To some who know him, Jax -- under the name Jackson Martin -- is a reputable restorer of antiquarian books. To others, in various guises, he's a man who double-crosses thieves, relieving them of what wasn't theirs to begin with ... although he doesn't return the stolen goods to their original owners. That isn't his thing.<br><br>When he's hired by Donovan, a book collector, to restore a damaged atlas, Jax meets the young man who runs Donovan's side interest, a no-kill animal shelter. Noel is wary of Jackson for reasons he can't explain. It doesn't stop him from finding Jax interesting ... an interest Jax returns despite knowing it will go nowhere.<br><br>Then Keegan, Jax's mortal enemy, appears bent on killing him. Will Jax be able to stop him before that happens? And will what he and Noel learn about each other end their budding relationship before it can become something more?

A Man of Many Parts

Across the entryway from the living room was a large formal dining room. It was sparsely furnished, in Jax’s opinion. A dining table that could seat at least eight people sat in lonely splendor on Persian rug in the center of room. There were three sets of French doors which opened onto the side patio, with mahogany cabinets between them. There was also a long bow window facing the front yard.


In the basement there was a fully equipped gym and a game room with a pool table, a round card table, and two antique pinball machines.


“No dart board?” Jax asked with a trace of amusement. He laughed when Donovan opened the doors of a small cabinet on the wall next to a full bar to reveal one.


“I’ll show you the library after dinner, which should be ready by now,” Donovan promised as they went up to the first floor.


Chapter 7