Royce Pembroke, an ex-soldier who joined a secret anti-human trafficking task force based out of Norfolk, Virginia, has been assigned to monitor Makeena Ellison – a young, vulnerable, twenty-one-year-old woman who he just purchased in an undercover operation. Bringing her traffickers to justice should be his ultimate concern, but he finds himself focusing more on protecting Makeena. He's aware of her abandonment issues and the betrayal she experienced from her foster mother, and he struggles not to develop feelings for this heartbroken woman.

Makeena is in love with LOVE, but has no idea what love is. She's young and has been thoroughly misguided by her foster mother, the woman who was supposed to love and protect her. She has a strong desire to find out what love is and has her sights set on her protector – Royce – for that purpose. But she's about to learn the hard way that true love cannot be forced, no matter how desperately you want it.