This short story takes place after the events in Anderson's novel, "The Assignment." At the end of that novel is a short story, "I'll be hot for Christmas" wherein Sean handcuffs Nick to the bed to find out what has been bothering him. Nick vowed to get even, and this juicy little story is his payback!

As the cover art indicates, the story takes place around Independence Day. Nick has manipulated Sean into a hot leather "costume" with the white lie they are going undercover again. The reality is Nick wants to try a little light bondage with his sexy lover. These two detectives are just too hot for words! Both are likeable characters, and I was happy to read more about them. Anderson's writing is smooth, yet vivid. I hope she follows with another novel that expands on their history and families, but this story is well worth reading as well. Recommended! ( )

I think that Evangeline Anderson has fun to play with her characters, Valenti and O'Brain, the tough detectives of the '80 who discover to be in love during a undercover mission.

Last Christmas she has told us like O'Brian has kidnapped Valenti to force his partner to admit his feelings. Now Valenti wants payback and he thinks that a little of BDSM play could be interesting. And so O'Brian as to play the role of the slave for a very determinate Dom as Valenti.

A very short story who is faithful to the original book, The Assignment: Nick Valenti and Sean O'Brian are two men who fall in love, but has to maintain the secret, cause in the '80 two PD detective can't be gay. And then nor Sean or Nick think to themself like "gay" they are only two men that happen to be in love.