Jake Ramsay returned from Iraq without any physical injuries, but the trauma of what he saw there haunts him still. A police officer by day, he spends much of his free time in pursuit of dangerous, high-octane hobbies—anything to help him forget his time in the military. A part of him realizes his behavior is destructive, but he feels no incentive to change. Then he meets Julia Ross, a gorgeous woman whos engaged to a domineering man she doesnt love. His protective instincts kick in, followed by the realization that he doesnt just want to save herhe wants her to save him, too. Julia feels as if shes in a trap with no escape. Her family insists that she keep her engagement to her wealthy fiancé, but to do so would mean relinquishing her dreams. The debt she feels to her single mother is almost powerful enough for her to make that sacrifice, but then she meets Jake—a man whos as kind, gentle, and considerate as Vincent is violent and controlling.