Title: Past His Defenses
Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Standalone
Genre: M/M
Contemporary Romance
Publisher: DreamSpinner Press
Release Date: Jan 11, 2022
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
When a case reopens old wounds from the kidnapping of his
younger sister, police officer Robert Fenner is told in no uncertain terms that
he needs a break. And maybe his superiors are right. He books a flight to visit
an old friend, who happens to be the one who got away, and hopes for the best.
Electronic security consultant Dixie Halewood works from his
home in Paris, where he lives with his adopted son, Henri. Dixie doesn’t expect
a message from an old flame asking for a place to stay, but he agrees. Their
past is just that—the past.
Things between them aren’t as settled as they thought—Henri,
Paris, and proximity work their magic. The two men are drawn closer and old
flames burst back to life, but Dixie’s work brings a new threat to their safety
and the budding family they missed out on the first time around. Gerome never
meant to open the door to trouble. His life and Tucker’s depend on keeping his
past a mystery. But as his desire to protect develops into something deeper, he
and Tucker will have to evaluate what family means—and hope that their growing
feelings pass unimaginable tests.
Dawn’s
Reading Nook Exclusive Except for the Past His Defenses by Andrew Grey Blog
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Wow. Dixie hadn’t known what to expect once
Robert arrived, but it hadn’t been Henri telling Robert about his one other
relationship, or the way his son had opened up to Robert right away. Henri was
outgoing, there was no doubt about that, but he could be circumspect when it
came to his feelings. And yet he’d told Robert about one of the most hurtful
things ever said to him. At least, as far as Dixie was aware.
Robert looked pretty much the same as he had
the last time Dixie had seen him. But that had been a while ago now. Still,
Dixie could already sense that Robert was the same man he’d fallen for in the
corps. But he also knew that life could send someone on a lot of detours—he and
Robert had experienced that firsthand. “What have you been doing since you
mustered out?”
“I went to the academy and joined the police
force in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s a good fit, and my Marine training has
come in handy. I really like it.”
“Until last week?” Dixie asked, and Robert
nodded. “It was that bad?”
“It really wasn’t. I think I just wasn’t
prepared for it. You remember Westerhouse?”
Dixie definitely did. The guy was a rock.
Nothing seemed to faze him. Roadside bombs, random gunfire, whatever—nothing
got to him. He was calm and cool, almost a machine… until he wasn’t. Then it
had seemed as if he was broken and the pieces couldn’t be put together again.
“That bad?”
“I don’t know. I think the whole situation
brought everything—my little sister Holly’s kidnapping and death—back.” Robert
leaned closer. “I actually called the girl Holly. She was about the same age
Holly was. And once again, I felt helpless. Up until that moment, I thought I
had everything under control, and then with a single word—my sister’s name—it
was gone.” Robert seemed to pull in on himself. “At the scene, it was as if I
was back there—once again consumed with worry, knowing that Holly had been
taken. And then there was the nail-biting, waiting for some word, only to fall
to pieces when we were told that she had been killed.” He stood a little straighter,
but it was an act, and Dixie knew it.
“Don’t beat yourself up. There’s nothing wrong
with showing your feelings. Henri taught me that. Every time I bottle things up
and get grumpy, he calls me on it. I think in part, it’s because some piece of
him worries that if I get mad enough, I’ll take him back. I would never, ever
do that, no matter what, and I’ve told him that, but I know the notion is still
in his head. He watches everything, and you can almost see him processing
everything anyone does. So I have to be open and honest about how I feel and
explain things. It’s incredibly liberating.”
Robert cleared his throat. “But it was drilled
into us to not show any emotion. Bury it down deep and do your job. That’s the
Marine way.”
Robert was right; that was what they’d been
taught. When you’re shot at, run toward the shooter and take him out. “But this
isn’t the corps. And Henri isn’t a fellow soldier. He’s my son and I love him,
and I only want him to be happy. I don’t need to hide what I’m feeling. I get to
show him. And it’s okay for you too. I already know you’re a big, strong guy. I
also know that inside, deep down, there’s an ooey-gooey center that you keep
buried.” He leaned forward, holding Robert’s gaze. “Henri knows it too. Kids
have amazing instincts.”
“And here I thought I had this reputation as a
real tough guy.” Robert smiled back. “Dang, it’s good to be here.”
“Nice segue,” Dixie chuckled. Robert had always
had a way of avoiding talking about his feelings if he could. Not that they
weren’t communicated, but as Dixie remembered, you had to look for them a
little more closely.
“Papa, it stopped working,” Henri said as he
brought a tablet to Dixie. “Make it work again… please.” He flashed his big
eyes and pooched out his lower lip. Damn, the cuteness almost worked. Almost.
“I’m sorry. You had an hour of games today, and
that’s plenty. You get another hour tomorrow.” Dixie had to be firm, even
though he wanted to give in. Henri thrived on structure, and Dixie didn’t want
him disappearing into Minecraft for hours on end.
“Papa…,” Henri whined. Seeing he wasn’t going
to get anywhere, he climbed onto the sofa near Robert and handed him the
tablet. “Can you fix it?”
Book Links
About the Author
Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and
leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when
writing) He considers himself blessed
with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive
and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle,
Pennsylvania.
Author Links
Facebook
Group All the Way with Andrew Grey
Twitter
@andrewgreybooks
For Other Works by Andrew Grey
(Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works)
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