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

Before he could say anything, Quinn added, “I knew you, once. Don’t give me any condescending bullshit and self-deprecating cripple jokes.” He pulled on his clothes as Aaron seemed to struggle with the instinct to cover himself up.


“About who you are now, right. I agree. And fucking ditto,” Quinn snarked. “But I know neither of us actually belongs in this town, neither does Charlie or Lennox, that’s his name by the way. He looks just like I did when I was his age and it’s still freaking me out a lot.”


He was panting for breath by the time he had all his clothes on. Aaron looked hesitant for a small moment, before another mask fell over his features. Hurt. Quinn could understand that and didn’t blame Aaron at all.


Chapter 23