Shaylin lost her husband, their pets, and their home in a violent earthquake in Sacramento. Dr. Stacey Winters, the psychologist Shaylin sought help from for PTSD, cared enough to take her in. A bond of sorts formed between them, although it was more emotional than physical.

Barely a year later, tragedy struck again when Shaylin and Stacey were in a terrible car accident, leaving Stacey dead.

Marcy, Stacey’s sister, who was a pediatrician, declined to take Shaylin in because she was too “weird.”

Benette (Bennie), Stacey’s other sister, who worked at home, secretly resented Shaylin for being the one to survive.

Lisa, Stacey’s youngest sister, who was a detective in San Francisco, was a whole different story. She was much obliged to take the quirky, artistic, rat-loving writer to her beachside condo.

Shaylin knew the middle-aged detective was attracted to her. She had sensed this the few times she had visited before her sister’s death. Shaylin couldn’t deny that the feeling was mutual. Stacey had been rather plain in comparison to the tough yet sexy-looking detective.

Having nothing to lose, Shaylin accepted Lisa’s hasty proposal so that she could have medical benefits, and the relationship quickly turned intimate.

Just when Shaylin thought she might get to experience real happiness and security in her life after her double loss, Lisa became bossy, demanding, and even abusive.

When the abuse escalated to full-scale violence, Shaylin was left with no choice but to take her rat, Burke, and run.

The only problem is that she’s trying to escape from someone who made a living by finding those who didn’t want to be found.