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

He popped the trunk, then got out of the car.


Brody ambled over when he was going through his hidden stash.


“Sorry about Ian,” Brody said in lieu of a greeting and they man-hugged quickly.


“I’m trying to,” Quinn spoke absently as he got out his Glock and the extra magazine. He left the backup, older Glock in the hidey hole. Then he took his knife and strapped it around his ankle.


At least he’d had time to change into jeans after the funeral. He moved his stuff around and frowned at his bullet proof vest.


“Oh, right.” Quinn handed over his badge and waited as Brody read it.


The sudden, loud belly laugh almost startled him, and Quinn looked at Brody.


“Sorry, it’s just…you’re a….” He tossed the badge back to Quinn, shoulders still shaking. “Of course you are. It makes so much sense. Oh man…” Brody wiped his eyes and then got serious again.


Chapter 58