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

“Let’s see if she answers,” Zach said as he dialed Ms. Leyton’s phone. Because his number would come up as ‘Unknown,’ he figured it was possible she wouldn’t. He was right, she didn’t, but he did get her voicemail so he left a message—“This is Mr. Turner. Mr. Durand asked me to call to tell you he would be running late,”—and his number.


It took ten minutes before she returned his call—from a different number than the one he had for her. Because he didn’t recognize it, he almost didn’t answer, but did, knowing no one would know the number unless he or Durand gave it out—Or it’s a damned robocall…


“Mr. Turner, this is Irene Leyton. To be honest, I’d forgotten all about my meeting with your boss. Hell, I don’t even remember where it was going to be.”


Zach gave her the address for the motel, without mentioning that’s what it was. “His office is on the fifth floor, number five-o-six.”


“Thank you. I should be there in approximately fifteen minutes.”


Chapter 37