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

“Only in your bedroom. I saw you and Ben through your living room window yesterday morning, and again in the afternoon.”


Ez shook his head as he drove the van out of the lot. “Of course she jumped to conclusions.”


“Well, duh,” she replied. “I bet I’m right.” She looked between Ben and Zach. “Right?”


By then they were heading toward the highway a few blocks from Ez’s place. “Do you have somewhere in mind?” Ben asked.


“Yep,” Ez said. “A nice lake in the middle of miles and miles of fields. Since it’s a weekday, there shouldn’t be too many people around.”


Obviously not willing to be deflected, Hayley said, “Tell all.”


Zach did, but not the way she meant, describing in detail what they had done to stop Irene Leyton’s stalker.


Hayley let him finish, because it was a good story according to her. Only then did she say, “That is not what I meant and you know it.”


Chapter 50