When Micki Steele returns to her hometown on the run from a dangerous Vegas fixer, she's desperate to finally earn back her family's trust—but she's brought a world of trouble with her. Enter Gage Barber, a wounded former Green Beret who's always been the family's go-to guy, and who can't seem to stop himself from wanting to rescue this complicated, captivating woman. As their attraction ignites and Gage pulls Micki deeper into his orbit, she's forced to confront an impossible choice: stay bound to the criminal underworld she's tried to escape, or risk everything—including her heart and freedom—for a chance at redemption. This is a story about second chances, finding strength in vulnerability, and discovering that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask for help.

Reading soundtrack

Listen while you read

Spotify

yearningsmolderingconflictedprotectiveelectric

Slow-burn tension with indie rock and sultry R&B. Wounded vulnerability meets dangerous attraction—think brooding acoustic ballads, smoldering alternative pop, and stripped-back soul. Caught between safety and desire, caught between leaving and staying.