Keelyn Garrison, who we met in the Shadow Series's sixth installment, sets out to rebuild her life after suffering a devastating betrayal from her partner. Escaping to Silver Springs, Maryland, Keelyn focuses on fulfilling her father's dream of expanding the family business as she launches the new regional office of Garrison Security.With her eyes forward and her intentions laser-focused on the business, Keelyn is blindsided when she meets a tall, sexy, Army Colonel with a southern drawl as thick as molasses and captivating eyes the color of smooth Tennessee whiskey. While Keelyn fights to restrain her emotions and desire, Sloan patiently and persistently embarks on a mission to chip away at the hardened shell Keelyn has erected.While Payton and Mara watch over Keelyn, someone is watching Payton. All too soon, Payton finds the nightmares that have haunted her for over a decade come back with a vengeance when her arch-nemesis, Robin Driscoll, escapes from prison and sets her sights on settling a score with Payton.Mara, Alex, and Devan come under attack, and as Payton races to protect her family and keep Driscoll from destroying everything that matters to her, she calls on Matt Dalton for help but soon fears that he has an agenda of his own. As Mara slowly discovers that Payton has been harboring secrets, Keelyn finds her resolve evaporating as Sloan begins to slip through the microfractures like mercury and lays bare her garrisoned heart, and proves that love does not always lead to pain and betrayal.