"Survival is always the most important thing."

You don't get far in Oak Creek, Wyoming, home Linear Tactical and its gruff and rugged heroes, without hearing that motto.

Free-spirited Joy Davis-opposite of gruff and rugged-heard the slogan her whole life and generally met it with a roll of her eyes.

Until the night she was attacked and left for dead.

He's always been her anchor. But now, she's his reason to fight.

Bear Bollinger, Oak Creek's rough-hewn mechanic, has been Joy's protector and confidant for years, waiting for the right time to make his move.

Watching her struggle in the aftermath of the attack breaks something inside him. Determined to see her smile again, he steps in to help her rebuild her shattered confidence.

But Oak Creek has danger closing in.

When a new threat begins to stalk the town, Bear must protect the woman who means everything to him, even as Joy fights to reclaim her life and face a danger unlike anything she's ever known.