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

“We’d better get our asses out of here,” Zach shouted. “The firemen will be here damned soon if they’re any good.”


“Fire stairs?” Ben asked as he hurried to help Ez get the wounded kidnapper to his feet, gritting his teeth against the pain in his knee.


“Elevator,” Zach replied. “Hayley, get the backpacks.”


She raced ahead, leaving Zach to take care of the young man. By the time they reached their storage unit she was coming out, one pack slung over her shoulder, carrying the other one and her purse. “He’s leaving a trial,” she said, pointing to the drops of blood coming from the kidnapper.


“Nothing we can do about it right now,” Zach replied as he took one of the backpacks from her.


They reached the elevator, Ben pushed the button and as soon as the doors opened, they were inside. When they got to the ground floor they could hear sirens. Zach pointed toward a door which, Ben hoped, opened onto the hallway and the side door of the building. “Out, and fast,” Zach ordered.


Chapter 18