Tortured Souls
Ellora’s Cave
ISBN 9781419910777
Genre: Contemporary; M/M
Series: Book six in the Men in Love series.
Book Length: Novella
Release Date: February 6, 2008
Order eBook at Ellora’s Cave | Read an Excerpt
Two very different men, two very different pasts. Private Investigator Bram Blackstone thought he’d closed off his heart forever. Making do with one-night stands and short-term relationships, Bram thought he was satisfied. Until the day he met Dr. Declan O’Malley.
Once upon a time, Declan O’Malley thought he had it all. A rewarding and promising career in front of him and a long-time lover beside him. When life dealt him an agonizing blow, Declan shut himself off. Then he met Bram. His heart told him he was ready to take a chance at love but when push came to shove, Declan turned away.
When Bram’s past catches up with him and Declan becomes the pawn in a game of revenge, Bram will do anything to save him. Even if it meant traveling to the place of his nightmares.
Reader Advisory: This story contains M/M sex scenes. References to violent situations and rape.
Excerpt
Note for Readers: You must be over eighteen to read this excerpt.
Thor did the unexpected and reached out to cup the side of Bram’s face. Sliding his hand to the back of his neck, he pulled Bram’s head forward and rested his forehead against Bram’s in a sign of sympathy. “Move to Oklahoma and you won’t need to make new friends. I really miss you, brother. I have everything I’ve ever wanted right now, except you.”
Bram felt tears threaten and pulled away from Thor. “Declan still here or did he leave already?”
Thor sighed, and gestured with his head. “I think he’s in his office. He’s not leaving for another couple of hours. Why don’t you be the bigger man and stop in to say hi before he leaves? You know you’ll hate yourself if you don’t.”
Bram looked toward Declan’s office, then back at Thor. He nodded his head once and stood. “I might poke my head in for just a second to say hi.”
Chuckling, Thor swatted Bram on the stomach. “I’m not sure this is the best place for you to be poking your head in anywhere.”
“Smartass.” Bram smiled and walked toward Declan’s office. He felt a lump forming in his throat the closer he got. Just beyond that door was the man he couldn’t stop thinking about, the only man for him. Bram knew it was stupid. How could he be in love when he knew next to nothing about Declan? But there it was, feelings like he’d never known. Wiping his now-sweaty hands on his jeans, Bram knocked.
“Come in.”
Bram closed his eyes at the sound of Declan’s voice. It had been so long since he’d heard that throaty whisper. Opening the door, Bram looked at Declan for the first time in one and a half months. He looked even better than Bram remembered. “Hey.” He tried to sound casual, not wanting Declan to know he felt like falling on his knees and begging for another chance.
Declan looked up from the patient chart he was scribbling in. “Bram. I‑I didn’t know you were coming.”
Bram watched as Declan’s throat muscles worked in an effort to say something. Bram decided to take a chance. “Care if I have a seat?”
“Oh. Oh sure, sit down. You must be tired after the flight and long drive from Oklahoma City.” Declan fiddled with the pencil on the desk. “So, are you here just to see Thor, or are you working on finding Gabe’s mother?” Declan began tapping the pencil on the scarred wood desk.
Looking into Declan’s beautiful eyes, Bram forgot how to talk for a minute. “Thor called and asked me to come. He wanted to introduce me to his new lady. I’ll admit, I took an earlier flight than necessary though.”
Looking at Bram, Declan stopped tapping his pencil. “Why’s that?”
To see if you’d push me away again, like you did last time.