When they were teenagers, Quinn MacGregor and Aaron Larsen fell in love over the course of one magical summer. It ended in bloodshed and tragedy. Now, ten years later, Quinn is back in Spruce Creek, Nevada, to inherit his family’s criminal cartel. His cousin Jimmy has been making friends -- and enemies -- in dangerous places, but that doesn’t mean he’s happy to hand over leadership to Quinn. And Jimmy might not be the only one who wants Quinn out of the way for good, especially if Quinn’s secret comes out. Aaron Larsen is back in Spruce Creek to sell his former family home. Aaron lost a leg in Afghanistan, and he’s drinking too much and battling depression and PTSD. The last thing he needs is for Quinn MacGregor to drop back into his miserable life. But when Quinn is shaken by the news that he left more behind in Spruce Creek than his bad memories, he turns to Aaron like it’s old times, and Aaron doesn’t know how to say no. The events of ten years ago cast a long shadow, and in a town where they can’t trust anyone else, Quinn and Aaron just might have to learn to trust each other again.

A Desperate Man

“I’ll take it. Thanks.” On his way to the till, he glanced at the guy with the crutches, but his back was still to Quinn. He didn’t seem familiar, and Quinn wasn’t one to ask the clerk, not like most of the people around here. The town was full of gossipers, probably because it was the only legal way to have fun in this godforsaken town.


With his bottle of apologies, Quinn knocked on the door, wondering why the parking lot was so empty. Only what he assumed was Karen’s vehicle—because it was a dark pink Prius—sat by the side path to the house. His own beat-up, decade-old Chevy Tahoe looked like it had been through more than Quinn himself.


At least being alone with Aunt Karen gave him the chance to be candid with her. Well, and she with him. She’d always given the best advice, whether it was about keeping an eye on his dad’s temper or his biggest secret.


“There you are!” Aunt Karen pulled him into a hug as soon as she’d opened the door.


Chapter 9