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

In the moment where she was no longer balanced, Rufus snatched the knife from her hands. Wren pressed himself into the wall, breathless, as he prepared to witness a murder. He was sure Rufus was going to plunge the knife into the woman’s back now that he had the opportunity.


But he didn’t. Instead he quickly stashed the knife in a dresser drawer, then leaned against it.


The woman regained her balance and charged toward Rufus, all fury and flailing fists. Rufus restrained her as she tried to pummel his chest and face with her fists, her frustration coming out of her in small grunts and cries.


All at once, it seemed as though the fight escaped her like air out of a punctured balloon, and she sank to the floor, weeping.


Wren didn’t want Rufus to move away from blocking access to the drawer where he had placed the knife, but he did. Rufus sank down beside the woman, his hand reaching out gingerly to touch her straight dark hair.


“It’s gonna be okay now,” he whispered. “It’s over.”


Chapter 80