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

And that’s what I am, really. The binges are just something out of character.


Besides, if I call Billie and she wants to do dinner and a movie, it’ll keep me up late enough that it would be insane to entertain thoughts of calling Sam.


Before I head into the downtown Chicago off-white monolith I call home during weekdays, I run into Starbucks and grab a cup of that day’s blend, make it large. A little reinforcement for the day ahead. I know there’ll be a shitload of catalog copy to do for the Busy Beaver, the hardware chain I spend most of my time doing retail for. Busy Beaver…it’s so ripe for parody it stinks.


But enough. Today it’s the conscientious worker.


My cubicle, thank God, is against a wall. Which means I can sort of hide in it. Well, hide as best one can behind four-foot-high beige fabric-covered dividers.


I like to get in early so I can leave early. Most people here work until eight or nine o’clock, so they don’t come in until late.


Chapter 44