Cortland Nash fled Dartmouth to avoid arrest, but returns when his best friend, Ford Delgado, is in danger. Cort plans to keep his head down and do whatever it takes to keep Ford breathing, but when he finds a beautiful young woman out in the snow, frozen in fear, his plans change. Akira Hayashi never thought she'd overcome her fear of men, but the care of an experienced Dom helped her achieve so much more. There's nothing she can't do-except function when she's mugged in a parking lot. The intimidating stranger who rescues her makes her feel things she never thought possible. The only problem is his connection with Ford, a man she'll hate forever because she refuses to feel anything else. With the constant threats from the crime lord he once called "Dad," Ford Delgado has no room in his life for love. Unfortunately, Akira already has his heart-which is split in two when he discovers Cort is dating her. He tries to move on, to grow as a Dom, and free himself from Kingsley's criminal empire. To forget what Akira means to him. But the last thing she needs is for him to let her go.