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

“I was thinking we could pick up a couple of steaks and then head to my place. I’ve got everything else we need for a decent dinner. That way we don’t have to deal with people and a noisy, crowded restaurant.”


Ben wondered if there was more to his suggestion than Zach had said. However, he wasn’t about to ask, or to say ‘no’ to the offer. “No people would be good,” he replied.


Zach smiled as he started the jeep. “Thought you might feel that way.”


They stopped at a grocery store, bought a couple of T-bones, and went on to Zach’s house. Zach told Ben to make himself comfortable, dropped the package of steaks on the kitchen counter, and took his bag and the weapons’ case into his bedroom.


Suddenly too restless to take Zach literally, Ben went into the kitchen to see what Zach had on hand to go with the steaks. He found the makings for a tossed salad in the fridge, and two large potatoes in a bin in one of the cupboards below the counter.


Chapter 45