Sex can be a dangerous business. So can love. On the worst day of his life, Wren Gallagher wants oblivion when he steps into Tricks for a drink. When a mysterious stranger steps up to pay his tab, he offers Wren the key to fulfilling his dreams of prosperity and true love. But appearances are not always what they seem. His savior owns the escort agency ? Louer, and he wants the young and handsome Wren as part of his stable of men-for-hire. Down on his luck, Wren figures, why not? He needs the money. When he joins, though, he doesn't count on meeting Rufus, another escort with whom he falls hopelessly in love. But their love story will have to overcome the obstacles of not only trading love for money, but ? Louer's dark -- and deadly -- secrets.

A Dangerous Game

The call from Chillingsworth had come about an hour and a half ago, just when Wren had gotten comfortable with the idea of the two of them staying in, eating popcorn, and watching a marathon of Diners, Drive-ins, and Diveson the Food Network. He hated the show, really, and would usually disappear into his bedroom when his mom had it on, but tonight, lying next to Rufus on the bed… Well, Wren couldn’t imagine a nicer way to spend the evening.


After hanging up his cell, Rufus smiled at him. “We got a date.”


“Yeah?” Wren remembered how his heart had started beating faster, how something small with sharp, pointy nails began moving restlessly in his gut. And then it hit home what Rufus had said: “We.”


So he repeated the word that was setting off both alarms and wellsprings of joy inside his head. Could it be true? “We?” he asked.


“Yeah, this guy up in Edgewater. I’ve been with him before. So have many of the boys. He just likes to watch.”


Chapter 33