After watching a murderer walk free on a technicality, Nicole Sterling left the state attorney's office to start a criminal law practice. She lets her partners handle the assault and murder files while she specializes in white-collar crime. With her own mother's life slowly slipping away before her eyes, Nicole has had about all she can take of death.

But when a client is accused of killing her own baby, Nicole is drawn in to the case. Also looking for answers is Detective Sam Bowie, a man as infuriating as he is sexy. Sparks fly between them, but the last thing Nicole has room in her life for is a romantic entanglement.

Their investigation reveals that Nicole's client could be just one of many innocent victims of a horrific conspiracy. Now, she must put her own life on the line to uncover the truth-and risk her heart-if she's to have a future with Sam.

55,000 words