When the police call the slaughter of his mother and brother a home invasion gone bad, Mika doesn't believe it. Because he has no way to prove otherwise, he closes down, refusing to talk about what happened.<br><br>That is until Buck, a bouncer at a local bar Mika visits, convinces Mika to open up to him. When he does, Buck not only learns about the murder, but also that Mika grew up living off the grid until his father died, two years previously, at which point his family moved to the city.<br><br>They begin to bond as they try to figure out the reason behind the murders, which may revolve around the family property in the mountains. All they have to do is prove it, without being killed in the process. Only if they can will they take a chance and move their growing friendship on to something more.

Hunting a Killer

“Now…I don’t want to,” Buck replied. “I’ll behave, though—this time.” He squeezed Mika’s ass, grinned, and stepped into the hallway, leaving Mika standing there with his mouth half open. Putting one finger under his chin, Buck said, “Close it or you’ll catch flies, as my mom used to say.” He winked and strolled away.


“You’re going to be the death of me yet,” Mika said under his breath as he closed the door. “From frustration.”


Mika’s phone rang a few minutes before Buck was due to come over Thursday morning. Figuring it was him, saying he’d be late, Mika answered without checking the caller ID.


A man said without preamble, “I’m trying to get in touch with Colin Kinkade. Are you related to him?”


“I’m his son,” Mika replied. “Unfortunately, he’s not around. He died over two years ago.”


“Damn it. He has something I lent him that belongs to me.” There was a brief pause before the man continued. “Who inherited, after his death? His wife?”


Chapter 34