Tyrant Blood by Zack Wish

I said obey me, boy. I won’t ask again — Cole.
I hate you, and I’m *not* your boy either! — Joaquin.

Cole Tyrant is a retired 40-year-old hockey player with way more enemies than friends. He carries around with him the scars of a controversial career, missed opportunities, and lost loves – but all Cole truly wants now is a quiet and harmonious life with Reacher, his trusty hound.
But just when it looks like Cole might have found the peace he craves, one stormy night in Ridgeback Falls turns his whole life upside down all over again.
Joaquin Grey is 23 years old and on the run. If there’s ever a way of getting into trouble, Joaquin is sure to find it – debt collectors, dealers, and even the mafia have got Joaquin’s card marked with blood.
Joaquin might be a slip of a boy, but he knows how to handle himself. Knives, broken bottles, and even guns have all felt Joaquin’s quick, agile grip on them more than once – and often to deadly effect too.
The only problem for Joaquin is that he’s crossed the wrong people one time too many. And now he’s arrived in Ridgeback Falls with nowhere else to run, Joaquin has got his work cut out to even survive his first night in town.
When things get heated at the Smokers Tavern, Cole steps in to save Joaquin. But little does Cole know that he might just have put his own life – and Ridgeback Falls itself – at risk for this hot, snarky, impulsive stranger.
Joaquin is reluctant to accept Cole’s help at first and will have to face Cole’s strict side on more than one occasion. But as they spend time in Ridgeback Falls with one another, Joaquin begins to experience feelings for Cole that he’s never had for another man before – meaning that things are about to get awfully hot and heavy between them.

Chemistry will spark, blood will be spilled, and lives will be put in mortal danger as Joaquin’s past catches up with him in the deadliest of ways – but at the end of it all will both Cole Tyrant and Joaquin Grey be left standing to tell one another how they truly feel?