John Jones, aka Aidan Whittaker, a negotiator with MI6, is currently on assignment in Tajikistan, close to the Afghanistan border. His undercover mission is complicated by the arrival of a couple of Americans, journalist Brent Babcock and his photographer Scott Landon. The two men are there to document the ancient Silk Road, but when Babcock gets wind of a hot news story, he starts asking awkward questions.

Scott Landon is a different kind of trouble for John. Fourteen years John's junior, gay and single-minded, he wants into John's bed. Not being prepared to jeopardize his operation, John rejects him, despite being drawn to the younger man. But an ambush drives them apart. The last Scott sees as he's hustled to safety, is John bleeding out in the road.

Scott needs closure. He tracks John down to Avebury in the UK, determined to deepen their relationship. John is equally determined they don't. Invalided out of MI6, he has another name and a quiet life, and believes there's no place for a would-be lover.