Ben Mercer is an ex-cop, lamed, framed, and thrown off the force for a crime his partner committed. Now homeless, he has no expectations for a better life until he's recruited by Durand, head of Vanguard Security, to join a team that deals with problems the police can't or won't touch. All Ben needs is the approval of the team leader, Zach Turner.<br><br>To get it, Ben has to prove to Zach that he still retains his skills as a sniper, and that he can handle any job thrown at him, despite the still painful damage to his knee. He does, and is immediately pulled into a job with the team, rescuing a kidnap victim.<br><br>Ben had one big secret, or did have until Durand drew it out of him. Before his life was drastically changed he had denied, even to himself, that he was gay. Now that he's accepted it, and learned that Zach is as well, can the two men forge a bond beyond that of being teammates and friends? It will take several more jobs before Ben gets his answer.

A Second Chance

“So?” Ben said, tired of Ray’s silent scrutiny.


“There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”


“Am I going to wantto meet them?” Ben smiled briefly. “I’d rather not end up a prisoner of a sex ring, or what have you.”


Ray laughed. “Trust me, that won’t happen. The organization I work for is strictly legit, although the branch I’m with isn’t out in the open.”


Ben lifted an eyebrow. “Perhaps I’m jumping to conclusions, but it’s black ops or some such?”


“I suppose some people might label us as that, although we only operate within the States.”


Intrigued, although Ben wasn’t about to admit it quite yet, he said, “I’m willing to meet your boss, I presume, but it has to be somewhere public.”


“No problem.” Ray took out his phone to make a call. When it was answered, he spoke so quietly Ben couldn’t hear him above the voices of the people at the tables close to them. After he hung up, he said, “He’ll meet us in the modern art gallery at the museum in twenty minutes.”


Chapter 3