She's not what she seems. He doesn't know who to trust. Neither of them needs this sort of complication. And yet... Penny Smith is not who she seems. Behind her shy, schoolteacher guise, she hides a traumatic past. Her job as the receptionist at Stargazer Ranch has provided sanctuary over the last two years. But when her abusive ex-husband reappears and tries to snatch her off the street, ex-cowboy Clayton steps in to help. Clayton Sabitino has a chequered past; a year ago he was convicted of an attempted abduction of one of the Stargazer staff. So, while Penny is eternally grateful to him for rescuing her, the irony isn't lost on him. He is the absolute last person Penny needs as a saviour. Clayton offers Penny refuge at his house. But things go from bad to worse when two hired hitmen try to kill them both, because Clayton has agreed to be a witness in an upcoming trial of a notorious mob boss. He is drawn to this beautiful, courageous woman, and their attraction is undeniable. It seems Penny is the only one who trusts him. But will that trust prove her undoing? Clayton will do anything to protect Penny, but neither of them bargained on the depths their pursuers will go to find them. Who'll pay the ultimate sacrifice?