Title: Pulling Strings
Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Standalone
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance/ Gay Romance/ LGTBQA
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: Sept 10 2019
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print (1st Edition)
Blurb/Synopsis:
A high-stakes case of industrial espionage ties them
together, but before they can pursue their attraction, they must find out who’s
pulling the strings.
Devon Donaldson doesn’t know how a folio of stolen corporate
secrets found its way into his bag, and certainly can’t think of anyone who’d
want to frame him. The trouble is, he has to convince Powers McPherson.
Devon’s firm hired Powers to investigate the theft of a new
banking system, and so far Devon is his only lead. While Powers’s gut tells him
Devon is innocent, he has no intention of letting Devon out of his sight… for
more than one reason. Working together to get Devon’s life back leads to
feelings far beyond cooperation. But before they can act on them, they need to
find the group of thieves’ intent on ruining Devon’s reputation.
Book Links
“I’m not going to get you fired. But there’s something you haven’t thought of.” He paused, probably for effect, and it worked, with Devon’s nerves spiking. “If this was slipped into your bag, and it wasn’t meant for you, then someone is going to want it back. And it isn’t going to take a great deal of effort for them to realize that it was given to the wrong person, and then they’re going to come looking for it.” Powers sat straighter, and Devon groaned.
“Then
you handle it however you see fit and leave me out of the whole thing.” He
waved his hand. At least Powers was beginning to believe him. “I didn’t do
anything to get involved in this. I just want it to go away.” He went to the
kitchen area and pulled out the things he needed to make his dinner. He didn’t
have a great deal. Old Mother Hubbard and Devon had a lot in common right now.
Devon did find the blue box of mac and cheese, and there were just enough
fixings for a salad. He needed to go to the store.
“Do you
think that whoever is behind this is just going to walk up to you and ask
nicely for the information that was incorrectly slipped into your bag?” Powers
asked. “This is part of a huge theft. Someone is after proprietary secrets from
your firm, and these are worth a great deal of money… millions. Enough that
people will kill to get what they want.”
Devon
turned quickly enough that he knocked the box of mac and cheese on the floor.
The pasta spilled everywhere, and Devon groaned before trying to scoop the
wayward pieces back inside. “That’s just great. So now what? Keep the door
locked and hope that someone doesn’t try to kill me in my sleep? Maybe I could
turn what you found over to Mr. Mauer and tell him what happened.” Yeah, that
was a good idea. He didn’t know Devon at all and would probably fire him on the
spot. He felt the panic attack starting up again and plopped himself on the
floor, picking up single pieces of his dinner. “What am I supposed to do now?”
Powers
came over and helped Devon to his feet. “You are the first real lead I’ve had
in this case. I honestly don’t think you’re involved in this.” He might just
have been saying that—Devon could hear the uncertainty in his voice. Powers was
probably just trying to soothe him and calm him down. “But right now, you’re
all I have. And I was serious. Someone is going to try to get that information
back. Until they do, I’m going to stick to you like glue.” He released Devon’s
hand.
“What
does that mean?” Devon swallowed hard, trying to discern the implications.
“It
means that it looks like I’m staying here tonight. I’ll sleep on the sofa and
won’t bother you.” Powers stared deeply into Devon’s eyes, sending a jolt of
fear and heat to Devon’s core.
“Here?”
he croaked. “You’re going to stay here with me?” Devon took a step back. “How
do I know you aren’t the person sent to retrieve the information and aren’t
going to kill me in my sleep?” Maybe he was being a little dramatic, but this
was the weirdest situation he could ever have possibly imagined.
“Yes.
I’m starting to believe you, but I’m not letting you out of my sight. Those
papers and drive are the only link I have to whoever is behind this, and I have
to follow the lead to make sure this stops as soon as possible.” Powers took a
single step back. “Do you like Chinese?” he asked, staring at the bits of
macaroni on the floor, slowly shaking his head. “As a show of good faith, I’ll
order us some delivery. There’s a good restaurant a few blocks away.”
“Okay.”
Devon was too shaken and surprised to say anything else. What the hell had just
happened to him? All he wanted was his orderly, quiet life back, and every way
he looked, it seemed to get farther away by the second.
Author Information
Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell
stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout
the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from
the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large
corporation.
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
All the Way with Andrew Grey
Twitter @andrewgreybooks
For Other Works by Andrew Grey
I love just about all LGTBQ books. Really, don't think I've found one that I didn't enjoy. Most books I read fall in the Contemporary Romance section.
ReplyDeleteJennifer Rote