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

“I’m sorry about the verdict, James,” he said, pitching his voice lower. “For what it’s worth, you gave him the best chance he had.”


He waited for a beat, then gently shrugged Duke’s hand away. “No, if I had, he wouldn’t be cooling his heels in jail right now and terrified out of his fucking mind.”


The urge to grab Scott again almost overtook him, but Duke reined it in at the last moment. He didn’t back away, though. He wasn’t going to give Scott the satisfaction. “So what are you going to do?”


Scott turned long enough to nod at his colleagues. They both frowned at him, but went on their way without pressing for an explanation. “I am probably going to have that drink. But I think it would be best if I had it alone.”


“No.” The refusal surprised even Duke. “I don’t think that’s wise.”


“You don’t think that’s wise? Who asked you?”


“Nobody. But someone very smart said to me recently, nothing good has ever come from getting drunk. I’m returning the favor.”


Chapter 38