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

“But if it goes well, if I can follow you wherever you guys go, then….” He hoped but he didn’t believe enough to say it out loud.


Aaron had the bravery to put it into words. “Then maybe we see where this goes now, as adults?”


Quinn nodded. “I think, once this is done, I’m done with undercover shit. I’ve spent my whole career in it so far and I’m so over it.”


Quinn sighed. “I’m not sure if you noticed but my badge says Byrne, not MacGregor?”


“Yeah, I saw. Isn’t that your mom’s family?”


“Yes, and that’s what I use now officially. Except here.”


“Well, one of my instructors realized where I was from, happens to have a friend who is from Crystal Springs, and also a cop.” He shrugged.


“And cops love to talk,” Aaron concluded.


Chapter 42