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

“You didn’t kick her. That’s what the last asshole living here did once. I bought some meth from a few trailers over, hid it in the kitchen when he’d left the door open. Called the sheriff on him.” Ezekiel spoke over his shoulder as he made his way back to his trailer. “The law isn’t the most reliable in this town, but Sheriff Henderson took him away. Haven’t seen the guy since.” Then, just as he got out of Quinn’s view, he called, “Good night!”


Quinn had a feeling buying fancy cat food was in his near future. Right after lunch at the diner. He hadn’t expected any of this shit, and on the other hand, it was Spruce Creek. He let Shadow in and closed the door behind them, wondering if, just for now, canned tuna would do. 4


“You cooked?” Uncle Will asked suspiciously the next day when he turned up to find Aaron reheating leftover mac and cheese.


Chapter 11