Love found and then ripped away leaves scars that won’t heal.

Maverick believes he has found what so many of his club brothers have—a woman he can call his very own. He’ll have the love and family he’s been dreaming of. However, Rylan takes convincing to even go out with him. Then, after one unforgettable night together, she vanishes.

Maverick’s pride refuses to allow him to ask his club brother Outlaw to search for her. In his anger, he says Good riddance. Maverick is determined to forget about Rylan and move on, but a year later, he still hasn’t gotten over her. In an effort to banish her ghost for good, he goes to the bar to find someone to erase her memory. Only that goes to hell when he lays eyes on Rylan again, while he’s in a compromising position.

A chase ends up revealing the secret behind why Rylan left, never called, and never returned, yet is in Hunters Creek a year later. Each revelation makes Maverick curse himself for being so prideful. He’s determined to prove to Rylan that he’s the man for her and she can rely on him for anything, especially eradicating the evil stalking her.

Rylan tries not to fall for Maverick, but she can’t resist. After one perfect night together, she knows she needs to talk with Maverick, except Fate has other ideas. A supposed quick trip out of town turns into a nightmare year. The nightmare that still haunts her won’t let her go. She returned to Hunters Creek in desperation. She needs breathing space to think and plan her next move. She doesn’t intend to see Maverick, knowing it will be too painful, but again, fate has a different plan. What she sees when she accidentally sees him tears out her heart, and she runs.

Fortunately, Maverick catches her before she can escape. One of her secrets is revealed, forcing her to confess why she left him and never returned. As much as she doesn’t want to admit it to herself, her love for Maverick hasn’t died. She’ll never love a man like she does him. But can he love her, knowing what he now knows? And even if he can, will she ever be free to love and have a life with him?

What she’s about to learn is that Maverick’s Kitten is home for good, no matter how bloody Maverick’s hands have to get.