When Mariah St. Cloud becomes a full-fledged member of the walking wounded, she shuts down. She's learned that men are born heartbreakers, so the biology professor makes work her lover instead. It's dependable and won't leave the toilet seat up. But the untimely death of her beautiful, estranged sister Allegra kicks Mariah's predictable life to the curb, and brings ex-cop Anthony Caine into her everyday existence – intense, protective and far too handsome for her self-imposed celibacy. Conflict is inevitable. Anthony wants to tumble Mariah's reserve like the walls of Jericho and keep her safe. Mariah just wants him out of her hair – even as she stands in the deadly shadow of Allegra's secrets.