Ray Donovan had an easy charm that belied his size. He had a great smile that seemed to light up his face. He was dark-haired, blue-eyed and built like the proverbial brick shithouse. For Reggie, it was love at first sight. For Ray Donovan it was the start of a great friendship.

Jack had been looking for someone to take over Lenny Scott’s businesses and look after Sharon and the boys and had asked Reggie to check him out. Twenty minutes into the meeting he knew this was just the man. Ray looked intimidating but he was easy-going and willing to do what was asked of him. Reggie was impressed that the man had done his homework and knew everything about Sharon, her family and their business connections; that told him he was dealing with a man of sense and discernment. Reggie had never been a queen-like homosexual, but he felt his heart hammering in his chest as Ray spoke. Not since Lenny had he felt like this about a man. But Reggie’s gaydar was pretty good, and this man was straighter than the proverbial ruler. He still felt himself getting a hard-on as he looked at him though. It was clearly time for him to disappear and look for some entertainment further afield; he had no chance looking locally. Plus his tastes ran to the masculine, to men like himself: big, dangerous, up-for-it and discreet.

He brought his mind back to the man in front of him and explained the situation.

Ray Donovan seemed happy to listen and keen to take on the protection of Sharon Scott and her businesses. There had been a few overtures to take her cab ranks off her hands and, though she didn’t want to be relieved of them, the man who had requested them was a new, young Face who had a reputation for violent confrontation. The combination of a big, handsome fucker like Ray Donovan, himself and Jack, might just be the answer to their prayers. Apparently Ray had his creds, he had done a lump and had done it with ease and without ruffling any feathers. He was well thought of up North and was in need of a change of scenery. He had tugged a big Filth so needed to leave his manor quickly.

Now all Reggie had to do was sell Ray to Sharon Scott; he had a feeling that she might not put up too much of a fight. The man was beautiful and he was a man’s man. What Reggie Dornan wouldn’t do to make him his man. Life could be fucking cruel.

Chapter Eighty-Seven