Risking it All

By Hayden West

FROM EXCITING NEW AUTHOR OF GAY ROMANCE, HAYDEN WEST

Book one in the City of Fountains series

Will they have their chance?

They meet because of a missing child, however, from their time together, love begins.

Alan Todd is a man who knows what he wants and goes after it. Harvey Kent is the one he wants.

Will his latest job allow him the chance to get what he longs for or will a bullet end it all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: May 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781839430312

Book preview

Author

RISKING IT ALL

HAYDEN WEST

Risking it All

ISBN # 978-1-83943-031-2

©Copyright Hayden West 2020

Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright May 2020

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2020 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Will they have their chance?

They meet because of a missing child—however, from their time together, love begins.

Alan Todd is a man who knows what he wants and goes after it. Harvey Kent is the one he wants.

Will his latest job allow him the chance to get what he longs for, or will a bullet end it all?

Dedication

Thank you to Pride Publishing who is taking a chance on me. I am thrilled to be part of the family and cannot wait to see where we go from here. To my rock, thank you!

Trademark Acknowledgements

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

Mountain Dew: PepsiCo, Inc

Chapter One

Harvey Kent. I was sent to look over the files. He flashed his identification to the dour-faced man at the door with a brief action. It wasn’t an officer he recognized, but then, he tended to keep to himself and wasn’t familiar with many of them. And there was the mere fact that the Kansas City Police Department was large and no way he could know them all.

Yes, sir, you’re expected.

I should hope so—I just told you I was sent to look at files. Harvey held his tongue, adjusted his bag strap and waited for the man to move aside. Behind the officer stood who he presumed to be the butler.

If you’ll follow me, sir, I’ll take you to them.

He nodded without slowing his step. The suited man turned and led the way. As they moved though the massive home, he kept a tight hold on his bag.

The computer should have been brought in to me, instead of sending me to it.

Not giving a care in the slightest as to who these people were or the amount of money they had, he didn’t glance about at the numerous expensive art and things they had around. He wasn’t a fan of leaving his workspace, but he worked for the police department, and when his boss said go, he went.

Hey, Harvey.

Angling his head, he peered through the bangs over his eyes. Clara, he replied with a small grin.

She flashed a megawatt smile that, given her dark skin, seemed even brighter. He actually liked her. She’d run into him one night outside a gay bar and had stood up for him and his partner at the time, now an ex. She’d not recognized him at first, but she’d not hesitated, nor had she gone to I’m a cop. He’d realized who she was when she’d faced them to make sure they were okay.

The following day at work, she hadn’t treated him any different. Actually, she never even mentioned it. And to this day, she always remembered his birthday and made a point of talking to him. Her behavior was unlike most people’s when they learned he was gay, and he appreciated her for it.

Her brow furrowed and he pulled up a bit, waiting for her to comment on what her concern was. She left her position and came closer. Harvey met her part way, towering over her petite frame.

You sure everything’s okay?

Her concern touched him. A full smile turned up his lips now.

Fine.

She gripped his arm for a spell before retreating. Harvey continued on his way, lengthening his stride after the butler, who had waited farther up. At the top of the spiraling staircase they moved left, and he heard people arguing.

Another reason I don’t like leaving my space.

He didn’t want to be involved more than his job required. ‘Socially awkward’ was the best way to describe it. He had no desire to engage in small talk and wasn’t good with putting people at ease. His magic came with computers.

Someone needs to do something! a woman screeched.