My name is Kevin Markos, former anchor for Full News Broadcasting. I say former, because an exhaustion—and frustration-fueled emotional on-air meltdown of apocalyptic proportions means my previously dignified reputation and successful career as a highly respected conservative TV news host and commentator lay in smoking, irreparable ruins. Only one person will hire me now, and it's the last person I want to work for—Democratic Senator ShaeLynn Samuels, who's determined to be the next president of the United States. My reluctance isn't because of her, but because of who's working for her.

One hall pass—redeemed. In college, I made the mistake of falling in love with Ward, who was deep in the closet and terrified to come out to his conservative, religious family. He called me Master. Said he loved me. Said he'd be mine forever. I guess he lied, because he ghosted and didn't even attend graduation.

I kneel for only one man—Carter Wilson, my best friend, chief of staff, and bastard extraordinaire. It's a price I willingly pay to be owned by Her. His wife. Who is also, as of when we were sworn in this morning, my lieutenant governor. I am Owen Taylor, governor of the great state of Florida.

Protecting him is my duty, but falling for him could be my undoing. I’ve spent five years burying my past, leaving behind the violence and bloodshed of my former life as a Bratva enforcer. Now, I’m just Luca—the quiet guy who keeps his head down, working security for a professional hockey team. I don’t get close to anyone, and I definitely don’t let anyone get close to me. But then I’m assigned to protect Max Ryan, the team’s star defenseman, and everything changes. He's my obsession. My crush.

Brady is my overprotective best friend, and I love him like this. He's so much bigger than me and makes me feel safe. We are opposites in so many ways, but when I'm cuddled up against him and he reads to me, all those differences fade away. Brady promises to be friends forever, but what will he say when he finds out my secret? Will I lose my best friend and the boy I love more than life itself?