by
Stiles finds himself torn between his loyalty to his agency director and friend, James McCullough, and his loyalty to friend Lizzie Ferguson and his lover Michael O'Leary. He can't explain the overwhelming feelings of darkness that he feels.
When the new director of the St. Louis Pinkerton Agency, fires Lizzie and Michael, then pairs Stiles up with a new agent, things begin to unravel all around Stiles.
Lying to everyone, he heads to Chicago where James McCullough and other agents have disappeared. Determined to find his friend and discover what is really going on in the Levee District, Stiles finds himself with no one he can depend on.
Meanwhile, Lizzie moves back to New York to work in the Pinkerton office there with an old friend. And, Michael discovers he's inherited an estate in England from his mother's side of his family.
The group of friends are being pulled apart in different directions. There's corruption around every corner. No one can be trusted. Can they find their way back to who they were before? Will Stiles be able to pull himself out of the hell he's in before he loses everything? So this is hell...
- 1 Read list
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 3
Romantic Content: 4
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 26-35
Protagonist 2 Age: 26-35
Tropes: Criminals & Outlaws, Rescue
Word Count: 35000
Setting: Chicago IL
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Continuous / Same Characters
Michael wrapped his arms around him and gently pressed his lips to Stiles. It was sweet and tender. Stiles offered his lover the only thing he could at the moment, a smile.
Once Michael left him, his mind began to wander. These weeks at the villa had been wonderful. Nights with Michael had been passion filled and more than he could have hoped for. Returning home, under this cloud, felt daunting. They had to be careful there, not showing their feelings in public. What if the new director wasn’t as open minded as McCullough had been? He had a dreadful suspicion that things were about to change and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
His mood was no better when they retired for the night. Michael’s warm body did nothing to improve his temperament.
“What’s bothering that mind of yours,” Michael asked softly. “You know I’ll listen.”
READ MOREHe wished he could explain what was going on with him. He knew Michael cared, there was no doubt of that. But, explaining what was going on in his head seemed out of his grasp. It was so foreign.
“Everything is fine,” he lied. He pulled Michael’s willing body closer to him. “I hate to leave the peace we’ve experienced here. It will be different in St. Louis.”
“I know,” Michael whispered, as he reached for Stiles member. “Let me love you.”
It had never happened before. His body didn’t respond to his lover’s touch. Stiles felt Michael tense beside him.
“I’m tired, that’s all it means,” he said. Michael relaxed.
He tipped Michael’s face to kiss him. He let the kiss linger, on the man’s soft lips. He clung to his lover a few moments longer.
“Good night.”
“I love you,” Michael murmured as he tucked into Stiles side.
Stiles placed a kiss on Michael’s forehead and closed his eyes. He felt the bridge between them crack as sleep came. What the hell was he doing?
COLLAPSE
