Stone Briggs. Ex-con, big brother, and not a fan of baking. Which was strange considering he owned, Stud Muffins, a reputable bakery in a dodgy part of town. Stone’s goal in life is to be there for his brothers, and if at all possible, keep them out of prison. Which sounds simple, only… Newt just stole something, Mickey wants to take part in illegal fights, and Jude is keeping a secret. Things are complicated enough for Stone without Robin strolling into his life and falling at his feet. Not his feet exactly. He falls five metres along from where Stone had his bare butt cheeks against the bakery window… Why bare butt cheeks? That might have something to do with the dead man he just wiped off the kitchen walls. Which wasn’t Stone’s fault. That was down to the assassin, Donnie King, and Yates Matthews, the crazy florist across the street. Why did Robin fall? That might have something to do with the bible that hit the back of his head. Which was partly Stone’s fault. If Robin—the priest—hadn’t forced him to take the bible, Stone wouldn’t have thrown it at him. He didn’t mean to knock Robin unconscious and break his nose. He’s not a monster despite what some people might think. Stone is just a guilt-ridden guy who runs a stupidly named bakery. And the ear sliding down the wall has nothing to do with him…

Jude Aster. Police officer, lookout, and the brother with the wayward hair. It’s not easy for Jude juggling his job with the antics of Stud Muffins, but things get even more complicated when Luck Milligan sets him a trap. Jude falls into it with humiliating results, and reluctantly agrees to be Luck’s eyes and ears at the station. Is Luck a bit on the crazy side? Yes. Does he mock Jude’s hair and use photographs of cows to intimidate Jude into cooperating? Yes. Does he have a slight obsession with a part of Jude’s anatomy? Absolutely. But with Luck comes Hope, Luck’s twin sister, adopter of strays, cooker of stews and carer of thirty-one cats. Thirty-two if Hope includes Jude. Which she does. When old wounds resurface between Jude and Stone, he doubts his place in the family and finds himself growing closer to Luck Milligan and his sister. Sure, it’s equal parts blackmail, kidnap, and Stockholm syndrome, but that’s still something in Jude’s eyes. Just like with his brothers, he’ll protect Luck and Hope at all costs. And just like with his brothers, that will be put to the test…

Mickey Briggs. Boxer, unofficial uncle and self-labelled ‘straight guy’. Mickey has gone through life plagued by memories of his childhood tormentor Aaron Fletcher. With Luck Milligan in need of a fighter to take on Aaron, Mickey jumps at the chance of finally getting his revenge. But knowing the fight between them is on the horizon isn’t enough. He wants to see what Aaron has become. He wants Aaron to see who he has become too. But Aaron Fletcher isn’t the boy Mickey remembers. He’s a good father, a nice guy and he looks at Mickey like he’d love to be beneath him. The more time Mickey spends with Aaron, the more Mickey likes him, until a kiss leads to a longer kiss, to more… It’s impossible, and yet with every smile, every flirty comment and lingering look, Mickey starts to believe Aaron has changed. Boxing day approaches, Luck’s club hangs in the balance and with so much at stake, Mickey has a decision to make. Fight or walk away with Aaron. But somebody must go down in the final round. And that person won't be getting up again...

Newton Briggs. Asexual, old women magnet, and convicted killer. The youngest Briggs brother has been sent to prison over the ‘accidental’ death of Jeffery Sharpe. He doesn’t feel guilty for his crime. He did it for his brothers. All of them. But he is scared. Newt’s strategy to survive Be himself. He quickly learns that might not be enough. The top dog, Shaw, wants him dead. Thomas, a previous patient of Stone’s, wants to spank him. And Leo…well, Leo just wants to keep him safe. Unbeknownst to Newt, Stone planned ahead and hired him a bodyguard behind bars. Sure, it’s the same guy that almost choked Newt to death in the back of the bakery, but after Newt quite publicly throws up on him in front of the whole wing, Leo considers them even. With Leo at his side, Newt integrates himself into E-wing and accepts his place in prison. Newt did not expect to make friends who feel more like family. He didn’t expect to grow strong feelings for his bodyguard/cellmate to the point he wants to kiss him. And he definitely didn’t expect to be serenaded in the shower by a man tattooed head to toe as a snake. Being behind bars is not at all what Newt imagined, but one thing is for sure, life won’t be the same when it’s all over…