Laurie and Sasha have built a bright new world. It’s taken two years, but now Sasha is working for the Romanian embassy, and Laurie is landing theatre roles he once could only have dreamed of. Best of all, they’ve spent each day of those two years enjoying the love they snatched from the jaws of Sasha’s dangerous, violent past. But Laurie has a history too, and the past won’t go away for either of them... moreLaurie and Sasha have built a bright new world. It’s taken two years, but now Sasha is working for the Romanian embassy, and Laurie is landing theatre roles he once could only have dreamed of. Best of all, they’ve spent each day of those two years enjoying the love they snatched from the jaws of Sasha’s dangerous, violent past. But Laurie has a history too, and the past won’t go away for either of them. Laurie is on edge, his talents as an actor increasing beyond his ability to deal with them. And even though Sir William is dead, Laurie can’t deny the turbulent genetic heritage the old man has bestowed on him. He’s in danger of losing his grip, succumbing to arrogance and the hundreds of temptations that surround a young and rising star. Only Sasha’s love is keeping him anchored and sane – and Sasha is vulnerable, shaken by bad dreams about his time as an illegal immigrant. Despite their careers and their beautiful Bloomsbury flat, neither has got off scot-free. Then Laurie spots a man who looks like Sasha’s father in the street. He learns that, far from being locked up in a far-off jail, Stefan Petrica is on the loose in London. Laurie’s deepest fears now threaten to break over his head. The last time Stefan’s shadow fell, Sasha made a run for it, determined to keep Laurie safe at all costs – but, at the same time, abandoning him. Laurie can’t bear the thought of this part of their history repeating itself, and instead of confiding in Sasha, he makes a terrible mistake. He’s been offered a film role in America – and now, driven by fear and by ego, with the promise of distance and safety, he astonishes everyone by leaving the English stage in favour of Hollywood. He insists that Sasha goes with him. Sasha resists at first, but, worn down by his nightmares, bewildered by the changes in the man he loves, eventually gives in. And now begins a waking nightmare for both of them beneath an alien West Coast sun. Laurie must discover for himself that although he can run from Stefan Petrica, he can’t ever hide from himself. And Sasha must confront the inner barricades that kept him from treating Laurie as a trusted comrade, as well as a lover and friend. The frosts of a midwinter London brought them together – will a blazing summer crack them apart, or forge enduring love from first romance? less