“Pearce leaned in over the table to lock eyes with Mark. “Look, Mr. Beecher, you and I are going to be spending a lot of time together for the next week, got it? And when you think about it, I’m the only thing standing between you and a bullet in your head, so you might want to start being a little nicer and a lot more cooperative, okay?”

“It took a long moment, but Gerard finally raised his head and looked Jon in the eye. “It meant that I have not been honest with you, Jon Calder, and if you are to understand the danger you are in now, I must tell you everything, no matter if you believe me or not.”

“Charlie squinted in the glare of the sun. “Are you a member of the crew?” He stepped forward and shaded his eyes.“In a manner of speaking,” the man replied. “I’m Rock Harding.”“Oh, nice to meet you.”

“Evan saw a man across the kitchen, butt leaning against the counter, muscular arms folded over his broad chest. His blond hair was cut very short, and his eyes were bright blue sparks. Evan’s gaze locked with Paul’s, and a sudden sense of vertigo swam through his head. The conversation in the other room, the back and forth between John and Alden, the startling brilliance of Bill’s teeth -- all of that faded away as Paul stared back at him. Evan found himself inside a strange bubble that blocked all outside stimuli. He had never experienced a connection this intense before, especially with an initial look, and even though it terrified him in a thrillingly sexual way, he didn’t dare pull his gaze away from Paul’s for fear of breaking the timeless moment between them.”

“What’s your name, Farm Boy?”“Charlie Heggensford, ma’am.” He stuck out his hand and she smiled as she shook it.”

“She said one thing and I said another and the next thing I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life in the middle of that conversation.”

“You missed a lot of heartache, sure. But David, you missed a lot of joy.”