Toronto, Canada, 2006. A few months after the worst year of the Iraq war. Gabriel Navarro splits his time between his job slinging ink at the Atlantis Ink tattoo parlor, and working on his master’s degree in fine art. Gabe is twenty-two, sure of his beliefs and his artistic integrity, and na?ve enough to think he’ll never have to compromise. And then one night Jake MacLean walks into the shop and changes everything. Jake Maclean is twenty-eight and a veteran American Army pilot. He's been staying with his ex-pat sister in Toronto while he tries to get his life in order. The problem is, he can't. After his disastrous final mission in Iraq, he's overcome with anger and survivor’s guilt, trapped in a losing battle to atone for a failure he’s sure can never be forgiven. Left without hope, he decides to have his memory of the mission tattooed on his back, with the condemning words: God Will Judge Me. He doesn't expect to fall for the tattoo artist. Gabe falls just as quickly and deeply for Jake, though Jake's reluctance to talk about what happened frustrates and worries him. Gabe knows Jake isn't doing well, but accepting Jake’s claims that he's "fine" is far easier than dealing with the frightening truth. But soon it’s horribly clear Jake can’t control his panic attacks or flashes of violence, and he's getting worse. If Gabe can’t help him face his demons, Jake is headed for a crash -- and there’s every chance he’ll take Gabriel down with him.

Black Hawk Tattoo

“Thanks,” Jake said again. He took another deep breath, leaned back against the wall behind him, and closed his eyes. “I guess you don’t have any beer, huh?”


“Don’t worry about it.” Jake pulled his hand away from Gabe’s to wipe his face and then reached blindly for Gabe’s hand again. “Christ. I feel like I’ve run a fucking marathon.”


“That makes sense.” Gabe licked his lips. “Um, do you want to take a shower?” He shrugged like it was no big deal when Jake opened his eyes, but Gabe was uncomfortably aware his face was burning. “You just look uncomfortable.”


“That bad, huh?” Jake said. “Yeah, a shower would be great. Thanks.”


“No problem.” Gabe reluctantly let go of Jake’s hand, so he could get to his feet. He’d expected Jake to stand as well, but Jake was still sitting against the wall, watching him. “You okay?”


Jake smiled sheepishly. “I think my ass is numb. Help me up?” He lifted his hand.


Chapter 43