Detective Mitch Gates is sworn to protect the one woman he can't have.

Mitch – When my best friend and brother in blue was killed in the line of duty, I swore an oath to protect the woman he meant to marry. Stella. She was never mine, but I've loved her since the day I met her. Now she's back. Targeted by a dangerous crime syndicate, I have to keep her close to keep her safe. Ten years haven't dulled the passion I feel for her or my guilt at knowing how badly I still want to act on it.

Now her life is on the line.

Stella – Mitch made me feel whole again after everything fell apart. He was also the only man I knew I couldn't want. His code of honor and my fear of losing him too made us turn away from the growing heat between us. I thought time would heal old wounds. I was so wrong. I never wanted to need Mitch again, but I have no choice. Only he can help me stop the monster who stole my identity and framed me for a crime I didn't commit. But fighting back just might bring me into the arms of the one man I've tried so hard to forget.

Author's Note: Each book in the Tortured Heroes series is a full length, standalone romantic suspense novel They can be read in any order and DO NOT contain cliffhangers. They DO contain dark themes and elements.

Approx: 65,000 words in length