Hotshot defense attorney James Scott always follows his gut -- even when it tells him an obviously guilty man is a victim himself. Homicide detective Owen Duke doesn't have time for gut feelings -- he lives by logic and evidence. And all the evidence tells him that Scott's client is guilty of the cold-blooded murder of a young ballerina.<br><br>Scott, a notorious media darling, is willing to risk his reputation and his career on the kid's innocence. But his undeniable charm is not enough to save his client's life. He needs Owen Duke, a man who stands for truth and justice, even if the detective hates Scott and his gut feelings.<br><br>What's supposed to be an open-and-shut case quickly becomes a quagmire of lies, murder, and rotting corruption. Suddenly, instead of being a thorn in Duke's side, James Scott is the only person in San Francisco the detective can trust. As the attraction between them deepens, they race to save an innocent man, but can they save their own hearts in the process?

Pas de Deux

“You know that dude?” Hector asked.


“No, not at all. But I have the feeling I’m going to get to know him quite well. He’s the man in charge of making sure you’re found guilty of murder.”


Hector tracked him as he sat back down. “And you’re the one in charge of making sure that don’t happen?”


“Absolutely. Within the week, you’re going to be out of here.” Scott didn’t even feel a twinge at the bold promise.


“Big words coming from a man who hasn’t even asked me if I did it yet.”


That was immaterial to Scott, but he asked anyway. “Did you?”


“For the case? Not particularly. You’re entitled to a defense, regardless of whether or not you’re guilty. But in order to offer you the best defense possible, I need to know everything.”


Chapter 8