Through Hell and Back #1
Years after running away from an abusive foster family, Asher Davis still struggles with the guilt of leaving his foster brothers behind. He’s climbed to unimaginable heights as a ruthless, high-powered attorney, creating a life of power and control and takes whatever and whomever he wants.
Blaming himself for the death of his parents, Dr. Drew Klein retreats into a shell of loneliness, merely going through the motions of life. After a disastrous, short-lived marriage, Drew leaves his lucrative medical practice to set up a clinic for abused young men and women. The decision has more repercussions than Drew could ever imagine when the dark and sensual Ash Davis volunteers to help.
Although Drew isn’t gay, Ash is inexplicably drawn to him. He vows to simply bed him and forget him like he's done with every other man. However, Drew's sweet and caring nature and unexpected passion both stun and frighten Ash, who questions his right to any happiness at all. And when Ash befriends an abused young man who unwittingly draws the clinic into danger, threatening Drew’s safety and that of his beloved grandmother, Ash discovers that there is nothing he won’t sacrifice to protect the love he never thought he’d find.
A Walk Through Fire is an Enemies to Lovers Gay Contemporary Romance with a Happily Ever After. If you love broken alpha males with a heart of gold, you'll love Ash and Drew's story.
Original Review December 2014:
I'm not sure which one spoke to me more, Asher or Drew, but either way it was all win-win as far as I was concerned. The story, the characters, the setting, everything just jumped right off the page. When I read the summary, I expected not to really feel much for Asher right away, I was afraid he was going to be a player who needed to earn his way into my heart. Was I wrong! He had my heart right away. I sure hope that we haven't heard the end of these amazing characters.
Chapter One
Death comes inall forms. Reviewing divorce or separation agreements rarely caused Asher Davis to be this morbid or pensive, but the dissolution of a marriage after only six months seemed depressing even to a cynic such as himself. All the dreams the happy couple had planned for the rest of their lives must have crashed and burned in an inferno of pain and anger so devastating, any thought of repair was impossible. Ash gazed out the window of his office, the unending blue horizon punctuated by only a few fluffy white clouds. The bright sunlight and crispness of a clear April morning should have lifted his spirits, but this time of year never did. The beauty of this early Spring morning only served to remind him of all he’d lost and left behind.
“Let this be a lesson to you, Walker.” Ash slid the file to the associate sitting across from him at the conference table. “It probably would’ve happened sooner or later. For some reason, men and women insist on pairing off and remaining faithful, despite evidence to the contrary that it isn’t normal to do so.”
The newest member of Frank and Davis shot him an uneasy smile, and Ash suddenly remembered Walker himself was a recently engaged man.
Even though he’d never been married, never even come close to a relationship with anyone for that matter, Ash had seen and heard enough gruesome stories to know how hard people had to work to make a marriage successful. Compromise, trust, and that thing called love. He shuddered, swallowing hard.
Not his problem. He was there to make sure his client, the young and lovely Jackie Klein, got out of her marriage with everything she had coming to her so her rich daddy could pay the firm’s retainer. The rumor of her immediate post marital infidelity didn’t trouble him in the least. He wasn’t being paid to care about anything at all.
“Have you finished reviewing the file?”
“Yes, Mr. Davis. It appears Mrs. Klein was seen on numerous occasions leaving the brownstone of David Westlake. These appointments would take place at random times of the day, while her husband was at work.”
“Walker.” The associate’s gaze met his over the table. “Mrs. Klein is our client. I’m not interested in who she was fucking.”
Walker’s face flushed, and he gulped. “Um, right. So, Drew Klein, from everything we can see, went to work at the same time every morning, came home at the same time each evening, and aside from a weekly night out with his friends, stayed home every night.”
“Sounds like a crashing bore,” drawled Ash. “No wonder she cheated on him.” He flicked his fingers over the papers in the file. “Go on. Please tell me something interesting. Anything.”
“I’m afraid that’s it, sir.”
“So it’s basically a no-fault. They’ve passed that magic six-month period, and now we, the greedy legal team, get to hammer out all the goodies in the divorce agreement. At the end of the day, she gets her freedom to screw her way through the city if she wants, he gets his freedom from a cheating bitch, and we get our money.” He stood and smiled down at Walker, who closed and stacked the files in preparation for the client meeting. “Let’s go and end this farce. I’ll meet you at the conference room in five.”
He watched Walker stride down the hallway to the conference room where the parties were set to meet. As he did before every meeting, Ash took a moment inside his office’s private restroom to check his reflection in the mirror. Navy-blue suit, white shirt, and bright green tie, all sharp, clean, and fresh. No matter that this was his firm and his name now joined Jacob Frank’s on the door, he still had something to prove to himself, that he wasn’t that poor little gay kid from the wrong side of the tracks. The one whose parents had abandoned him.
He was Asher Davis, and he mattered.
From his wallet he pulled out the only snapshot he’d ever possessed. It was taken on his law-school graduation day, of him and the firm’s founder, Jacob Frank. He towered over the tiny man, but only physically did he best Mr. Frank. The man was his better in every way possible. Asher had managed to secure the scholarship Mr. Frank set up at his law school, and had worked like a dog to make sure he would have a place at the law firm of Jacob Frank upon graduation. No attorney bested Jacob Frank in negotiations or litigation, and there was no one he’d wanted to work for more.
Why Jacob Frank took to him, Ash would never know. Mr. Frank often joked that Asher was the son he’d never wanted, but it was said with such fondness in his warm brown eyes that Ash experienced an unfamiliar pain in his chest. Then Mr. Frank would brusquely ask him to recite the facts of his next case and drill him to make sure he was always prepared for class.
Looking down at the picture in his hand, Asher blinked against the surprising wetness in his eyes. Though he’d been gone two years now, Jacob Frank’s presence remained as strong as if he’d risen from his chair a moment before. And Ash would never forget Mr. Frank’s final words to him.
“Asher, my son. Let go of your past. It’s the only way you can take control of your future. Rise above your pain. Don’t grow old, alone and unloved like me. Find someone to share your life with. You’ve been the greatest source of comfort and joy to me. I wish you love and peace in your heart.”
“I’ll always try to make you proud, Mr. Frank.” The pad of his thumb grazed over the worn photo, tracing his mentor’s face. “But you did fine on your own, and so will I.”
Replacing the picture carefully, he smoothed his hair back, and like a chameleon, wiped away any evidence of sorrow and loneliness, replacing it instead with his confident, devil-may-care smile. He left his office, closed the door behind him and strode down the hall.
As he pushed open the doors of the conference room, Ash scanned the faces of the people sitting. Of course, he’d already met his client and her father, Richard Sachs. “Hello Jackie, Richard.” He kissed Jackie Klein’s cheek and shook her father’s hand, then turned to greet her soon-to-be ex-husband, Dr. Drew Klein, and Klein’s attorney, Peter Dent.
“Peter, how the hell have you been?” The two shook hands, and Ash allowed his first real smile of the day. He and Peter had been inseparable in law school; they’d sat next to one another in their section, and neither would’ve made it past that horrific first year without the other’s help. “It’s been way too long.” The son of one of the premier family lawyers in the city, Peter had a job waiting for him in his father’s firm upon graduation. Having no such luxury, Ash had needed to keep his grades high enough to hold his scholarship and remain in school.
“Ash, my man, I’ve been meaning to call, but you know how it is with the wife and kids.” A faint tinge of red crossed Peter’s cheeks, but Ash let it ride. He didn’t begrudge Peter his family life; heck, he actually liked his wife, Lisa, even if she did think she was the gay man’s answer to matchmaking.
Ash’s gaze slid to the pale, dejected man at Peter’s side, and extended his hand. “Dr. Klein, I presume? I’m Asher Davis.”
Drew Klein met his gaze, and an iron fist punched Ash in the stomach. Holy fuck. The man was gorgeous. Too thin and too pale, but even that couldn’t hide the high cheekbones, straight nose, and strong chin of a perfectly sculpted face. Sadness and defeat rolled off him in waves. Klein’s dry palm, however, rested warm and solid within his and for some inexplicable reason, Ash’s heart beat a bit faster as they shook hands.
“Hello, Mr. Davis.” No friendly smile resided on Klein’s lips, nor did his green eyes radiate any spark of life. His well-modulated voice sounded weary, as if he had neither the strength nor desire to expend any effort. Obviously the dissolution of his marriage weighed much more heavily on his mind than on his soon-to-be ex-wife’s, who chatted busily with her father while simultaneously texting on her phone.
Somewhat taken aback by his unorthodox response to this man, this obviously straight man, Ash cleared his throat and backed away. “Shall we get on with the meeting?” His voice shook and he strode to the side table and poured himself a glass of water. After gulping down the cold liquid, his throat loosened, and he felt more like himself. Perhaps that third cup of coffee had messed with his equilibrium.
“This should all go quite seamlessly, as I see it. Mrs. Klein is not contesting the divorce, and Peter, I think your client is aware that under the terms of the prenup, the parties will be leaving the marriage in the same position as when they entered it.”
Dr. Klein snorted, and Ash caught his eye. He cocked his head. “Dr. Klein?”
Klein arched a black brow. Damn, the man was too sexy for words. “What of our wedding gifts? We’ve barely unpacked and set up our joint account. I presume everything is fifty-fifty?”
For the first time Jackie Klein showed an interest. “No way. My friends gave us better gifts than your lousy friends and family. All that cheap crap we have is from your relations.” Her sneer had Ash cringing and not for the first time he wondered if dealing with spoiled brat clients like this was worth the fee he charged.
“You’re not getting a penny of my daddy’s money to waste on your stupid clinic. You’re a doctor; make it yourself. I want out.” She grabbed at Ash’s sleeve. “I thought this was going to be easy, but he’s making it difficult like he does everything.”
Instinctively, he patted her hand. “Don’t worry, Jackie. That’s what I’m here for; to make sure everything is taken care of properly.” He turned back to Dr. Klein, who listened with a quiet intensity to whatever Peter murmured in his ear. When they finished, Ash smiled at both of them.
“The gifts will be split by the giver. The groom’s side back to you, Dr. Klein, the bride’s side back to her. For mutual friends, it will be split fifty-fifty. That should be agreeable, correct?”
At Klein’s nod, Ash continued. “The apartment is in Jackie’s name, so you’ll have six months to find a new place to live. I presume, Dr. Klein, you haven’t been living there since the petition was filed?”
Dr. Klein gave a brief shake of his head, and Peter squeezed his shoulder, Ash noted. He reminded himself to make a lunch date with Peter and get the story on this guy.
They spent the rest of the afternoon going through the couple’s securities and stocks, matching them up with the formal paperwork. At the end of a grueling two hours, the papers were drawn up, and the marriage of Jackie Klein and Drew Klein would be officially and legally dissolved no later than six months from this date.
Jackie and her father had already left the office; she breezed out with a wave, loudly stating her plans with her new boyfriend, which included dinner and the theater, necessitating a trip to a trendy, high-end boutique on the Upper East Side and the hair salon.
Peter hung around with his client, talking to him in that friendly, brotherly tone he always used for comfort. Ash remembered it all too well from law school. On those rare occasions when he’d become overwhelmed with work and loneliness, his tongue loosened more than it should by heartache and vodka, Peter had been the one Ash unwittingly spilled some of his past to. If anyone could lift Dr. Drew Klein out of his misery, Ash bet on Peter. He left them alone, and attended to some phone calls.
Half an hour later, Ash strolled back into the conference room, on the pretext of a forgotten file, but mainly to see if Peter had worked his magic on his client. Once again, his friend did not disappoint. The transformation in Dr. Klein proved miraculous. Instead of the subdued, morose specter from their earlier encounter, Ash came face-to-face with a handsome, charming, though still somewhat serious man. Klein’s face flushed pink with good humor, and his green eyes glowed as he and Peter shared a laugh. Staring in amazement at the total transformation in the man, Ash’s blood quickened, his body swept away by desire.
Shit.This had never happened before. Certainly he’d lusted after men, men with far more sexual sophistication than the quiet Dr. Drew Klein. But the need pounding through him surpassed any physical reaction he’d ever had toward any man. What made matters worse was that Peter, goddamn him, knew. He could tell by the fucking little smirk the bastard made no attempt to hide.
“Oh, Ash, could you come here?” Peter the innocent, his big baby blues so wide and bright, waved at him from across the conference table.
Shaking his head, Ash dropped down into a chair to hide the sudden tightness in his pants. “What is it, Dent?” He scowled at his friend, wishing all sorts of evil stomach maladies to happen to him on a packed subway car. In the dead of summer. “I have other meetings today, and I’m not renting you my conference room. Don’t you have your own office anymore?”
Peter stopped laughing and left Dr. Klein’s side to come sit by him. “Ash, settle down. I wanted to talk to you about a project Drew is spearheading.”
Against his better judgment, he glanced over at Dr. Klein, but the man was busy checking his phone. With an aggravated huff, he returned his attention to his friend. “What is it, and why should I be interested?” He knew he sounded like a growly, petulant child, but didn’t care. It had been too long since he’d gotten laid, and as it wasn’t happening with Dr. Straight and Miserable, he needed to have his itch scratched.
Serious for once, Peter kicked his foot. “Asher. Come on. It’s me. Give over and stop acting like a prick. Drew is starting a clinic for underprivileged kids, and I’m helping him. He’s seen too many who’ve been on the wrong side of a fist wind up with permanent damage to their faces. He’s donating his services to treat them, and he’s gotten his friends, one of whom is a dentist, the other an orthopedist, to help as well.” The two friends locked gazes.
Fuck.
What he really wanted to do was punch Peter Dent in his nice square jaw and tell him to go to hell, because he knew what Peter wanted. But that was the thing about Peter. Ash wouldn’t treat him like everyone else. Peter knew Ash—or knew the small part Ash let him see.
Ash’s body stilled. His fingers dug so deep into the fabric of the chair it shredded under his nails. “What…” He cleared his throat, his mouth suddenly dry as chalk. “What do you want from me?” Stupid question. He knew what Peter wanted. And goddamn him, Peter knew there was no way Ash could refuse him or those kids.
Because he too had seen kids who had been on the wrong side of an adult’s rage and fists. Adults who were supposed to protect children and, if not love them, at least make sure no harm would come to them. Too many adults took in children to care for, not because they loved them or wanted to give them a better life, but because of the money they received from the state. And God help the children who ended up with those people, if they didn’t clean their rooms or cook the meals or…
Ash shook his head free from his nightmarish thoughts, focusing on his friend’s sympathetic face. His stomach roiled at the sight of all that compassion in Peter’s knowing eyes. “Yeah, damn you. You know I’ll help him. Tell me what you need me to do.”
Why did he have a feeling he’d made the biggest mistake of his life?
Felice Stevens
Felice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary award nominee, and Lambda award winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir.
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