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 need to stay in town. I get it. Be safe, Arthur. If you hear anything, let me know.”


“Of course. Karen will keep me informed. Take care, son.”


Quinn got in his car and started the engine. He needed to go to his aunt and he hoped that by the time he got there, she’d know whether they were driving to Vegas or somewhere else. It would be a three-hour drive there, and Quinn so wasn’t looking forward to that.


He swiped at his phone and held it to his ear with one hand as he drove.


“Aaron, listen to me really carefully: Ian has been shot. Shit is about to hit the fan. If I text you at any point and tell you to leave town, you get Charlie and Lennox and start driving immediately. No questions, just go.”


Aaron was quiet for a moment, then he said, “Okay. Be careful.”


“I love you.” Quinn disconnected the call before Aaron could answer. 14


Chapter 45