Evangeline Giordano, having endured a traumatic and harrowing conclusion to her previous relationship, is in the process of rebuilding her life from the ground up. Amidst a series of setbacks, her neighbor, Paxton Sloan, unexpectedly steps in to offer support in ways she never imagined, even taking on the role of teaching her self-defense. However, Paxton, with a dark past and concealed secrets, has never experienced a genuine relationship, adding another layer of complexity. As they navigate this intricate dynamic, Evangeline must confront her haunting past, which continues to cast a shadow over both of their lives. This book contains very serious trigger warnings for GRAPHIC domestic violence and sexual assault. Full list of trigger warnings: Abusive Relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Anxiety, Assault, Attempted Murder, Attempted Rape, Blood, Bondage (Light), Breath Play, Car Accident (Mention), Cheating (False Accusation), Child Abuse (Historical), Death, Depression, Domestic Violence, Drugs (Mention), Emotional Abuse, Forced Proximity, Hospitalization, Infertility, Misogyny, Murder, Ostracization, Physical Abuse, Prison, Profanity, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Rape, Rough Sex (Consensual), Sexual Abuse (Historical), Sexual Assault (Not MMC), Sexually Explicit Scenes, Stalking, Strangulation, Torture, Toxic Parental Relationship, Violence