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

“Exactly. I’ll let Durand know that both of you should be able to get back in the field in a couple of days, if you behave.”


“Don’t add the ‘behave’ bit,” Zach said. “He’ll put us under house arrest or something.”


The doctor grinned. “Knowing him, he probably would, so I won’t.”


“Good. May we leave, now?” Ben asked.


“Yep, you’re free and clear. Just—” Doctor Franklin grinned, “—behave.”


Behaving wasn’t what Ben wanted to do, now that he’d broached the possibility that Zach could teach him what it was like to make love to a man. But it wasn’t only his choice and he knew it. Still, when they got to his building he asked if Zach wanted to come up for lunch. “It won’t be fancy. Not with what I’ve got on hand, but it’ll be edible.”


“I’d take you up on your offer,” Zach replied after a moment’s thought. “If I didn’t have a couple of things I need to do. Maybe another time?”


Chapter 34