High Stakes

By Parker Williams

High Stakes

Ben Nelson marvels at the resiliency of his lover, Artie Middleton. He takes everything life throws at him and comes out the other end stronger than ever. It’s with this strength in mind that Ben tosses Artie a curveball that will change both of their lives forever.
A single question from Ben’s lips has Artie rushing headlong toward his happily ever after. One that he never thought he’d have and is now being served to him on a silver platter. He has it all—friends, family, and a future. But even a gifted psychic can’t see everything, and Artie is about to get a wakeup call.
Things he thought to be true about his past aren’t as clear-cut as he believed. His history with some of the people in his life runs deeper than he realized. And he’s about to learn a previously unknown threat from his childhood has returned to rip it all away.
Artie soon finds that in this game, the stakes couldn’t be higher: the lives of everyone he loves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Parker Williams
• Release date: Sep 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781941841334

Parker Williams

Parker Williams is a bestselling author of MM romance and suspense. One of his recent works was nominated for the Lambda Literary Awards, and several books have been runners-up at the Rainbow Awards. Parker loves the written word. A chance encounter with an amazing author changed the course of his life as he began to write the stories his men were whispering to him. With the help of some amazing friends and a community of writers he’s proud to be part of, Parker continues telling stories of love, hurt, comfort, and sometimes tosses in a little angst for fun. He believes in love, but also knows that anything worth having requires work and sacrifice (and maybe a little hurt runs smooth, and he enjoys writing about it. Parker lives in Milwaukee, WI, with his husband, Paul, and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Most days you’ll find him on Facebook, sharing stories and pictures of the zoo, or even about Paul, who is always good for a laugh and comfort too). The course of true love never. Website: www.parkerwilliamsauthor.com Twitter: @ParkerWAuthor Facebook: www.facebook.com/parker.williams.75641 Email: [e-mail]

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High Stakes

Ace of Clubs Four

PF 2015 Collection

By

Parker Williams

Copyright

High Stakes: Ace of Clubs Four is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2015 by Parker Williams

Cover Art by Laura Harner

Edited by Jae Ashley

Formatting by Author.Services

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Parker Williams.

ISBN: 978-1-941841-33-4

Warning: All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without written permission, except for brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Contact the publisher for further information: [e-mail]

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Lee Brazil, Havan Fellows, and Laura Harner for allowing me to come along on this amazing journey into the world of Altered States.

And my appreciation to Mardee Barnett, Christy Duke, Mary Wallace, and Jae Ashley.

This means more to me than you’ll ever know.

Trademarks

Trademark Acknowledgements:

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following trademarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Betazoid (as featured in Star Trek): Paramount Pictures Corporation

Bluetooth: Bluetooth Sig, Inc.

Lucky Charms: General Mills IP Holdings II

Contents

Copyright

Acknowledgements & Trademarks

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

About the Author

About PF 2015

Also Available

High Stakes

Ben Nelson marvels at the resiliency of his lover, Artie Middleton. He takes everything life throws at him and comes out the other end stronger than ever. It’s with this strength in mind that Ben tosses Artie a curveball that will change both of their lives forever.

A single question from Ben’s lips has Artie rushing headlong toward his happily ever after. One that he never thought he’d have and is now being served to him on a silver platter. He has it all—friends, family, and a future. But even a gifted psychic can’t see everything, and Artie is about to get a wakeup call.

Things he thought to be true about his past aren’t as clear-cut as he believed. His history with some of the people in his life runs deeper than he realized. And he’s about to learn a previously unknown threat from his childhood has returned to rip it all away.

Artie soon finds that in this game, the stakes couldn’t be higher: the lives of everyone he loves.

CHAPTER ONE

Artie sighed as Ben wrapped an arm around his chest and pulled him close. He snuggled deeper into his lover’s embrace and wished they didn’t have to get out of bed. There would be nothing more pleasant than spending all day here, making love, dozing, followed by more lovemaking. They were warm and content, and nothing should ruin this day. Once Artie’s foot encountered something at the end of the bed, he knew that wasn’t about to happen.

How does a ghost dog take up so much room, Ben murmured in Artie’s ear as Duke sprawled out and ruined their embrace.

No clue. He’s always been a bed hog. Sometimes I get the feeling he doesn’t know he’s not alive anymore. When I was a kid, he’d nestle behind me, and by morning, I’d be falling off the bed and he’d be ever so comfortable. And if you think this is bad, wait until he farts.

You’re kidding, I hope?

I wish. He did it constantly when he was alive and is pretty frequent now that he’s…not.

Duke twisted, pushing their legs apart to wedge himself between them.

So we should get up?

I suppose. If we don’t, it’ll only get worse. If we were at home, laying in the huge extra-wide bed, he’d find a way to stretch and push us out.

Maybe for your birthday we can rent a hotel room and have it be just us for the whole night.

Artie couldn’t hide his surprise. You know my birthday?

Uh, duh. Former detective remember? Besides, Ray told Ally, who told Mom, who got me on the phone and insisted that I do something special. You only turn thirty once.

Artie dug his fingers into Ben’s ribs. Don’t remind me.

Duke crawled his way farther up the bed, nearly laying atop them.

Ben sighed. Fine, we get the hint. He gazed at Artie and gave him a wide smile. You want coffee?

Yes, please. I’ll grab a shower while you start it, and then when you take yours, I’ll make breakfast. I’m thinking French toast this morning.

With butter and syrup? Ben asked, his voice not unlike an excited kid.

Of course. Is there any other way?

He launched himself from the bed, then turned to Duke. You win this round, mutt. Next time, we lock the door.

Sure. That’s going to keep a ghost out. He may not realize he isn’t alive, but when he wants something badly enough, he’ll figure out a way to get it.

Artie slipped out of the bed and grabbed a towel from a box on the floor. It had been two months, and though work progressed on rebuilding their home, it was slow going. Instead of waking up in their ultra-king-size bed, they were forced to make do with a queen. Artie wanted to hate it, but being in a smaller house brought a new level of intimacy to their relationship.

Call the landlord, Ben yelled. There’s no water again.

Artie sighed and mumbled to himself, Of course sometimes intimacy is overrated.

Three phone calls and a litany of excuses later, he hung up the phone and trudged to the kitchen. They said they’ll have someone look at it later today, or maybe tomorrow. Next week at the latest.

You’re kidding.

"I wish