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

Ben and Zach were the first to arrive at Durand’s office, other than the two men already seated in the client chairs beside his desk. When they settled on the sofa, Durand said, “As soon as Hayley and Ez are here we’ll get started.”


They showed up moments later, taking the two chairs by the sofa.


Durand introduced everyone and then said, “Mr. Allan and Mr. Grant own trucking companies. Over the past month hijackers have hit Mr. Allan’s trucks twice and Mr. Grant’s three times. Each hijacking occurred after the drivers were pulled over by vehicles with flashing lights that they presumed were highway patrol. In each case, the trucks were carrying electronics worth millions.”


“I have a question before you go any further,” Ez said. “Why isn’t the FBI involved?”


“Because the trucks didn’t cross state lines,” Mr. Grant replied. “In the case of my trucks, they were thirty to forty miles from the distribution center when they were stopped by the hijackers.”


Chapter 24