Detective Mark Thibedeau is perfectly happy doing his job in Internal Affairs and going home to his cat. Still, when his assistant wants to set him up on a blind date, he can’t help but be intrigued.Dr. Ryan Campbell loves the frenetic pace of working in an emergency department. He likes his life and doesn’t need anyone. But that guy his colleague wants him to meet does sound pretty interesting.… interesting.
It’s instant chemistry when they meet—and instant chaos.
That chaos isn’t just phone calls interrupting dates. When a patient comes into the ED rapidly bleeding out from a gunshot wound, Ryan suddenly finds himself in possession of evidence that could very well put two white cops in jail for killing an innocent black man in cold blood.
Not sure what else to do, Ryan takes the evidence to the only cop he can trust—Mark.
Now Mark is investigating a delicate case, and Ryan is a material witness, and putting their fledgling relationship on hold is the least of their problems. Dirty cops stalk Ryan and his colleagues. Higher-ups question Mark’s investigative integrity at every turn. Worse, he’s tugging at threads of a citywide systemic problem of cops getting away with racially motivated murder.
And there are cops with blood on their hands who will gladly kill to keep that system running.
CW: Racially motivated violence, white-cop-on-black civilian violence
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This was one intense story! The fun part was to get to know Mark Thibedeau as a man and not as antagonistic SOB that he was in the beginning of the series. There is so much more to the man than anyone knows. The romance took a back seat here, and the story was more focused on the investigation, political haranguing and the matter of prejudice and racism among the brothers in blue. The fact that it’s a real chance that the things that are described in this book can be happening right now anywhere is scary to even contemplate. The subject is so relevant to today that I found it fascinating to read the way authors brought the issue to light. Thank you for that.
The chemistry between two men, Ryan and Mark, is undeniable and their brief encounters are charged with raw emotions and intense longing. Both men have just begun their journey to something long and serious, when everything is suddenly shut down between them. But justice needs to be served and there is no time to lose. I loved the investigation, Mark’s work ethics and attention to detail but also how despite wanting Ryan so bad he withstood the temptation in order to take the killer away from the streets where they can still do more damage.
Ryan is a doctor who is used to thinking fast on his feet, used to intense situations where one wrong move can cost someone their life, but when he gets tangled into the world of corruption, deadly secrets and subterfuge, he flounders badly. And the worst part is that at the helm of the most important investigation is the man that he just found and already has strong feelings for. But Ryan is no slouch either. He can hold his own as well as be compassionate and gentle when it’s needed. I liked Mark and Ryan together. Despite their hectic lives they fit well, have many common interests as well as circle of acquaintances, are on the same page as to what they want from a relationship and, my gosh, want to f*(k each others brains out if only the circumstances allow it. The steam level in this book is mild but what there was of it was awesome.
All in all, this was a wonderful addition to the series. Side characters who were main characters in previous books made appearances, new characters featured showed Mark as well as Ryan as multifaceted personalities with a lot to offer professionally and personally. I enjoyed this book a lot.
**********Contains Spoilers**********
I really enjoyed this book, as I’ve been waiting for Mark’s story since I started this series. I liked the connection between Mark and Ryan even though we didn’t get to see them connect much due to conflicting work schedules and Ryan being a material witness in the suspected murder of an unarmed black man by a white policeman so they had to stop seeing each other during the course of Mark’s investigation. We still get a few snippets of them throughout the story especially when Ryan needs someone to talk to, their flirty texts were fun to read especially because they don’t seem to be Mark’s style. Until Mark starts getting a lot of heat from the higher ups due to the ramifications of this case Mark was advised to stay away from Ryan and cease all contact until the investigation is over, as it could cause the case to be thrown out. We do get to read their hot encounter in a bathroom at Erin and Josh’s wedding since they’re save in their as no one can see them together and then they’ll stay away from each other until it’s over. Even though the romance took a back seat to the case you could still feel their connection. I’d recommend this book, series and authors to everyone.