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 know you mean well by that and I feel the same, but our bond isn’t hundred percent solid as it was when you were a boy. Not between any of us. So please, stay safe.”


For a moment, Quinn wondered if this was a warning, but he brushed the thought off. She wouldn’t warn him off so vaguely. She was nothing if not Ian MacGregor’s wife. She was capable of delivering her threats loud and clear.


Quinn helped her clean the living room by moving the couches for her as she vacuumed, and they talked about everything but the business. When he left, she kissed his cheek and he squeezed her tight, and hoped she could get out of town before it was all too late.


Chapter 44