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

“Misandrist,” she replied. “Although I’m not. I like men, I just don’t want to end up the way I did with Greg, which was mostly my fault. If I’d had said ‘no’ the first time he asked me out, none of this would have happened.”


“I’m not sure I agree,” Ben said. “It might not have happened to you, but I’d be willing to bet he’d have treated whoever took him up on his offer the way he did you, and if she’d broken up with him he’d have stalked her. It’s the kind of man he is.”


“Then why not stalk his ex?” Irene asked.


“I’m no psychiatrist, so I couldn’t say. Maybe he knew the marriage was failing before she asked for a divorce. Maybe he was glad to get her out of his life but he still wanted a woman he could control. His ego couldn’t accept being rejected again and he went off the deep end.” Ben smiled wryly. “I’m sure the ‘why’ of it will be debated by psychiatrists on both sides when he goes to trial.”


Chapter 44