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

As much as he’d hated making the call, Duke told Finch to wait to enter. Scott hadn’t appeared to be under duress, and the only item in either man’s hand was a laptop case. Duke was praying that any immediate danger would happen elsewhere.


His phone vibrated against his hip when he rounded the corner. Duke paused and tapped the connection on his earpiece, frowning as he looked around for Finch. “Do not tell me you went inside,” he said through gritted teeth.


“Duke?” It wasn’t Finch. Captain Sager’s concerned voice filled the line. “What are you doing on the job? You just got shot. You’re supposed to be home, recuperating, or at the very most, tied to your desk doing paperwork.”


Damn it. This was the last thing he needed right now.


With one last sweep in search of Finch, Duke stopped and stepped closer to the building, out of the way of pedestrians with his back to the sidewalk. “I’m fine, sir. I’m just doing some follow-up on Mayfield. Nothing strenuous.”


Chapter 69