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

For better or for worse, this has to happen.


When they’d hung up, he went home. He no longer had any desire to visit a club. If he did, and hooked up with someone, it would be for meaningless sex and nothing more. If what he hoped would happen did when he saw Noel again, then perhaps he’d have a new life with a man who would finally give him a reason to believe love was possible for him.


Love? He smiled. Am I jumping the gun? Yes. But who knows. I guess I’ll find out in a week.


“You live, and you’re in one piece,” Donovan said after opening the front door to let Jax come in. “I know you managed to escape that man’s clutches, thanks to Noel. He told me he’d heard from you.”


“I did,” Jax replied. “He’s now languishing in jail awaiting trial for attempted murder.” Or he would be, if he existed. Not something he could ever tell Donovan.


Chapter 39