GENRE: Gay Thriller Spicy Romance
LENGTH: 76,888 words
RATING:

Sequel to The Dead Don’t Dream

Ian and Adam find themselves thrust into an new world of danger and deceit as enemies, old and new, threaten their fragile bond. As they travel from the desolate deserts of the American Southwest to the vibrant chaos of Mexico City, their relationship is pushed to the breaking point by dark forces as they desperately try to outrun their tortured pasts in pursuit of a happiness that seems just out of reach.

Together they must rely on each other in ways they never thought possible. Amidst heated and complicated emotions, they grapple with the stark contrast of light and darkness within themselves and each other. To survive, they must do more than simply trust; they must surrender their deepest fears and embrace the vulnerability that love demands. However, the path to true love has scars that run deep and secrets that threaten to shatter everything.

In this thrilling continuation of love and sacrifice, Ian and Adam learn the strength of their love may be the key to overcoming the perilous obstacles they face. As they embark on a journey where betrayal lurks around every corner and sacrifices are inevitable, they come to realize that some loves are worth risking everything for. Can their love be enough to overcome the menacing shadows threatening to tear them apart forever? Or does fate have other plans for them?

Note: This book includes scenes of violence and mentions of suicidal ideation, alcohol abuse, physical and emotional trauma, and other dark and potentially disturbing themes, including a character dealing with past sexual trauma.

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

They parked on the base of a rolling hill. Ian disappeared to the trunk and returned with a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a blanket.

Adam followed Ian up the winding trail to the top of the hill. The only sounds were birdsong in the distance and the buzzing of insects. Below them, the city of El Paso spread out, sprawling and beautiful, twinkling with a thousand lights. The air was chilly, but the fading sun warmed Adam’s face, reminding him of the lazy summers of his youth.

Ian spread out the blanket and patted the spot next to him.

Adam sighed, joining him. “If you think you can charm me into agreeing to your asinine plans, you’re wrong.”

Ian worked off the cork of the bottle. “Wine?”

Adam rolled his eyes and reached for the glasses Ian had brought. “Fine, I might as well be drunk for this.”

“For what?”

“For you, trying to convince me that working with a drug cartel is an ideal career move.”

“A job. Not a career. We’ve had sketchy jobs before.”

Adam puffed out his cheeks, mulling it over. “We also had friends then, and Katherine’s bankroll. Now all we have are a couple of handguns, a bag of tacky, overpriced jewelry, and quickly dwindling cash. Nothing that makes me feel secure about going into something like this.”

“You won’t have to do anything.”

“And let you do this on your own? Are you serious?”

“I won’t be alone. I’ll have Hector with me.”

You think I’m weak, helpless, someone you need to save.

“You don’t want me to come?”

“No.”

“No?”

“I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

“A little late for that, don’t you think?” Adam didn’t mean to sound accusatory. Nor as bitter, but the past loomed over both of their shoulders, waiting and watching.

Ian took a sip of his wine, and then a bigger one. “All that was over once we left the mansion.”

Adam made himself comfortable on the blanket, warming underneath him from the hot sun and sipped in silence. It seemed Ian wanted to say more, but unlike Adam, Ian chose his words carefully.

“It’s not ideal. I get that. But I need you to understand why I’m doing this. Why, it has to be this way.”

“I shouldn’t have walked out like that,” Adam said. “I’m sorry.” He reached across the blanket to take Ian’s hand, squeezing it.

Ian returned the gesture. “I have no right to ask this, but ...” his voice trailed away. He wouldn’t look at Adam as he spoke, but Adam didn’t have to see his face, to hear the pain in his words. For all his teasing, Ian brought him to this spot for a reason, and it had little to do with the gorgeous view. Or any attempts at seduction. After all, they didn’t need to leave their room to kiss and make up.

“I wish you’d trust me,” Ian finished, and this time he turned to him, rubbing his fingers over Adam’s knuckles. “I don’t deserve it --”

“I do trust you,” Adam admitted. “I do.”

But Ian’s face told him he didn’t believe him. He let the matter drop and instead refilled their glasses. His expression remained pensive as they watched the sun sink below the horizon.

Bright streaks of brilliant red and orange danced across the valley below them, painting the world the color of flames, a scorching inferno. Adam had never seen a more beautiful sunset than the one he saw that day, and Adam imagined what they’d experience once they reached Mexico. He’d never been out of the United States before, but now they’d be heading into an unknown country, a new world, provided Ian’s plan worked.

“But you’re scared ...” Ian added.

“Of course I’m scared. You’d be scared, too, if you had any sense. But that doesn’t mean I want you to do this without me.”

Ian sighed, turning away from Adam. His expression was hard to read in profile, but the unease between them was palatable. Adam wanted to defend his position, insisting he did trust Ian, trusted him with his life, but the words wouldn’t come. Because deep down, he didn’t trust any of this. Ian, nor their newfound freedom, terrified any day he’d wake up back at the mansion, still a prisoner.

Adam scooted closer to Ian’s side. Without a word, Ian slung his arm over his shoulder and drew him closer so their heads rested together. Close enough for Adam to feel Ian’s warm breath against his face, the rise and fall of his ribcage as he inhaled, exhaled.

“Why is this so hard?” Adam hadn’t meant to say those words out loud, but they came out before he reconsidered them.

Ian pulled back, taking his free hand and stroking it along Adam’s chin. “Because it’s supposed to be.”

Adam searched Ian’s face for answers.

“Life, or else none of this has any meaning.”

“What does?”

Ian smiled sadly as he leaned in and brushed his lips against Adam’s. “This, us.”

Ian’s fingers lingered on the side of his face. His kisses were slow and sweet as Adam’s flesh broke out in goosebumps. From the dropping temperature or Ian’s proximity, Adam didn’t care. Instead, he focused on the building heat between them.

I love you, Adam wanted to tell him, biting the words back. I love you so much.

But Adam didn’t have to say anything, neither did Ian. Their love was unspoken. For a moment, Adam almost pitied the next person who dared to come between them.