Gray Badge of Trust by Gracie McKeever
Amira Press Shorts
Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Short Story, M/F, BDSM
Review by Forsythia

Internal Affairs Detective Luke Gamble has been known to take risks in both his personal and professional lives, but none more dangerous than bedding a colleague and subject of an ongoing investigation who carries a gun and handcuffs and is all too willing to use the latter on him.

Detective Tally Cavaleri is into bondage and domination and finds the perfect subject to work out her demons in the willing Luke Gamble. But will the detective be so willing to accommodate Tally’s fetishes when he discovers their past link or exactly how long Tally has had her eye on him?

♥ ♥ ♥

We open at the bar of typical cop watering hole where Detective Luke Gamble and Officer Tally Calvalieri have an obvious conflict of interest. One is the focus of an investigation, the other the investigator ... or are they? Both have a clear goal in mind though neither has a clue where it will lead.  The story heats up in the men’s room then eventually moves to the bedroom but what an adventure in between. 

Gracie McKeever draws the reader immediately into the escalating conflict and sexual tension between moody Detective Luke Gamble who meets his match in sultry Tally Calvalieri.  You can’t help but feel up close and personal to the motivations of these two who battle from opposites sides of an investigation only to butt more than heads in this spicy encounter. The grit and intensity of these characters leave a lasting impression as well the need for a cold shower.  However, my only complaint is the ending  which came to abruptly leaving me wanting more.  Did this encounter spark an unexpected desire to continue their liaison or did they move on in their careers never to look back?   

All in all an intense read wrapped around well-fleshed characters—in more ways than one—encased in a well-written plot.