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

Durand didn’t argue, but they hadn’t really expected him to.


Their first stop when they were back in the city was to drop Hayley off at her car, which was sitting in the diner parking lot where they’d left it after picking up Ben.


The three men went on from there to the Vanguard parking lot where Zach had parked his jeep. When Ez asked if he was in shape to drive, Zach glowered at him. “It’s a flesh wound, damn it. Even the EMT said so. Besides, I’ll need the jeep. Ben’s staying the night at my place so I’ll have to drive him home to change in the morning.”


“I am?” Ben said at the same time Ez asked, “Why?”


“It’s not what you’re thinking,” Zach said to Ez with a brief smile. “He’s…” He turned to Ben, “You’re not really mobile yet. I don’t want your leg giving out on you so you crash-land against something and knock yourself out.”


“Uh-huh. You’re not in the best of shape either, you know.”


Chapter 32