The Chess Club Series by T.K. Eldridge

Billionaire logistics magnate Grant Foster hasn't been back to Lakeridge, North Carolina in over a dozen years. Not since his father's funeral.Now he's back for another funeral - one for his old high-school friend, Wes Davenport.Most people wouldn’t understand why Grant and Wes would be friends, but their high school Chess club became family until their teacher was murdered two weeks before graduation... moreBillionaire logistics magnate Grant Foster hasn't been back to Lakeridge, North Carolina in over a dozen years. Not since his father's funeral.Now he's back for another funeral - one for his old high-school friend, Wes Davenport.Most people wouldn’t understand why Grant and Wes would be friends, but their high school Chess club became family until their teacher was murdered two weeks before graduation. That had broken something, and they all scattered far and wide - except for Wes, who'd stayed in Lakeridge.Now Wes is dead and the Club is returning to bury their friend - and help figure out who killed him.For Grant, coming home brings back a lot of memories and a lot of pain. All the money in the world can't fix that, or the loneliness in his life. He'd let himself forget what family truly meant and being back with his Club brothers is a sharp reminder.Will coming back heal what's broken in him, or break him worse than before? less

Chase Payne is on the right track to letting go of his past. He left his job to go back home; not just to bury a friend, Wes Davenport, but to hold a promise he fully intended to keep. Corruption, scandal, terror, and loss have plagued Lakeridge for too long, and the region's top FBIS agent has asked the Chess Club to work together to fix the mess. For Chase, that means putting his past demons to rest and focusing on the future... moreChase Payne is on the right track to letting go of his past. He left his job to go back home; not just to bury a friend, Wes Davenport, but to hold a promise he fully intended to keep. Corruption, scandal, terror, and loss have plagued Lakeridge for too long, and the region's top FBIS agent has asked the Chess Club to work together to fix the mess. For Chase, that means putting his past demons to rest and focusing on the future. Considering he'd never felt he deserved any kind of future, this homecoming challenges him in ways he never saw coming. Not to mention the competition with Lieutenant Cassidy Redbird for sheriff. On more than one front, Chase really has his work cut out for him.But how much of his past can he let go of, and what happens if he can't? less

For Logan McMann, family was complicated. He'd left Lakeridge, North Carolina when he finished high school and never considered moving back - until his chosen family asked for his help. A life built on promises and vows, Logan finds himself on shaky ground as he leaves the priesthood and takes up the mantle of behavioral psychologist for the FBIS... moreFor Logan McMann, family was complicated. He'd left Lakeridge, North Carolina when he finished high school and never considered moving back - until his chosen family asked for his help. A life built on promises and vows, Logan finds himself on shaky ground as he leaves the priesthood and takes up the mantle of behavioral psychologist for the FBIS. It's a fresh start, a new beginning, and a place of his own to heal his shattered heart - until it's interrupted by the arrival of an unexpected roommate. Hudson Hayes had lost his family and nearly his life. Then Red Jefferson brought him to North Carolina and gave him a new place to settle in and heal his body and spirit, and a renewed purpose as part of the team. Neither Logan nor Hudson want the situation they're stuck in, but they are both needed to help take down the organization behind the deaths of Wes Davenport - and Hudson's sister and nephew. Forced to deal with each other, they soon find that chosen family can fill the empty spaces, and help heal broken hearts. less

Zach worried about bringing trouble home with him when he got back to Lakeridge, North Carolina. He shouldn't have been, since it was the same trouble the Chess Club team had been dealing with for months. Zach just hadn't realized  how connected it all was. Corporate espionage, diplomatic entanglements, and the ability to disrupt everything both on and off planet hangs in the balance. Being an ambassador's kid was one way to see the world... moreZach worried about bringing trouble home with him when he got back to Lakeridge, North Carolina. He shouldn't have been, since it was the same trouble the Chess Club team had been dealing with for months. Zach just hadn't realized  how connected it all was. Corporate espionage, diplomatic entanglements, and the ability to disrupt everything both on and off planet hangs in the balance. Being an ambassador's kid was one way to see the world. Being an investigative reporter was another, and Zach was more comfortable moving than putting down roots, but planting roots is what he finds himself doing as the pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place.To complicate matters, Zach finds himself caught between an old flame and a new. Felicity Kane, a fellow journalist, feels like she owes Zach for needing his help on the case. Serafina Morgan doesn't want anything to do with the man who had broken her heart in high school - that keeps coming in to her cafe and flirting. Or is he just being friendly?While the Chess Club team works to bring the powerful to justice, Zach has to decide if he's going to stay, or run away once more. less