Bryson Merritt may have started life as a broken baby in a basket, but he got lucky with an extraordinary set of circumstances that brought him his adoptive parents. Rich, supportive, and kind, they've given Bryson everything he's ever needed in order to deal with his ongoing recovery issues. If only they could give him some luck when it comes to picking out the right kind of guy.<br><br>When Bryson meets Duke at a horse auction, all he can think about is getting Duke's sweaty hands all over his body. Until he meets Beau -- the beautiful dark horse in Duke's care, who shares Bryson's mobility and pain issues -- and realises exactly where Beau's final destination is. Enraged by what he sees as an unfair, undeserving, and cruel punishment, Bryson decides to buy Beau, problems or not, experience or no, and walks away without looking back.<br><br>However, once again forces have gathered to help Bryson out, and Bryson finds himself working alongside Duke for the sake of Beau. Bryson's attraction is rekindled, but now Duke isn't interested at all. Worse still, it looks like a possible relationship with Duke isn't the only thing that is going to end in tragedy.

Still Standing

Bryson shook his head. “No, no, Duke, you don’t have to do this. We found out who hurt Beau. It was that fucking Rebecca and some Michael kid working with her. The bitch was—”


Bryson tilted his head. “You knew what now?”


“Well, not the details.” Duke glanced over his shoulder. His face was a mask of detachment, but his eyes looked haunted. They carried a darkness that could have been anything from pain to anger. “But I knew it was someone here. And I know why.”


“Yeah, but fuck them, right?” Bryson stepped closer. “Who cares what they think? They can’t beat us. We just proved that.”


Duke picked up the duffle bag and pushed past him, not letting Bryson get any closer. “So what?”


“So, she’s going to be fired!” Bryson watched him walk around the cabin, peering into cupboards and drawers. “You don’t have to worry about her and her issues anymore, whatever those issues might be.”


Chapter 46