When Marianna Santino's roommate is killed, Detective Ethan O'Hara can't fathom the motive.

Then he realizes the deaf teacher was the intended target. Marianna must have something the murderer desperately wants. But what? Digging for the truth, the guarded cop tries to learn everything he can about Marianna. Her world. Her family. Her beauty, faith and fierce independence.

In spite of himself, Ethan finds that he can't keep his feelings at bay. Soon, he's willing to risk everything-including his heart-to lay the silent terror stalking Marianna to rest.