Wade Benedict has a job to do: infiltrate a treacherous land and rescue Chloe Madison. It was her father's dying wish--and Wade is taking it personally. The problem is, this stubborn, angry and courageous woman doesn't want to be saved.

Her rage at the oppressive treatment of women has pulled Chloe into the dangerous world of an underground rebellion. She can't desert the women with whom she forged a daring alliance, and this self-appointed

Luke Benedict figures he's the only one in Turn-Coupe, Louisiana, who can save novelist Aril Halstead from someone intent on revenge. If only he could get April to cooperate.

Years ago, Luke had let April down--in the worst possible way. She's never been able to forgive him and she still doesn't want anything to do with the man she once loved.

But that's not about to stop Luke. He'd never turn his back on a friend--especially one

Lisette Moisant is a widow, courtesy of the swordsmanship of Caid O'Neill, one of the city's legendary maîtres d'armes. He bested her loathsome husband in a duel, but now she is a pawn of schemers who wish to steal her fortune and see her dead. It is Caid to whom she turns for protection, and guilt leaves him no recourse but to agree to Lisette's request.

But soon a whispering campaign is being waged against them, suggesting