She runs the city. He wants to save it from her.

Celeste Evans is brilliant, poised, and utterly unshakable-or so she wants everyone to believe. As Chief of Staff to the mayor of Langston Heights, she's built her reputation on strategy, control, and perfectly timed wins. But her biggest political victory came at the cost of her own convictions, and the cracks are starting to show-especially with Malachi Owens back in town.

Once Wall Street's golden boy, Malachi walked away when it became clear his integrity had no place among power brokers. Now he's returned home, determined to protect the city he loves from the very forces that broke him-and from the woman who seems to embody them all.

Celeste and Malachi are constant combatants in the public arena: sharp words, sharp stares, and no shortage of tension. The chemistry between them simmers beneath every confrontation-but desire isn't enough when the stakes are this high and trust is in short supply.

For a moment, the war between them threatens to collapse into something neither of them is ready to name.

But secrets, shifting alliances, and new entanglements redraw the battle lines.

Because Malachi might be drawn to her.

But he didn't come back to lose.

And Celeste? She's not sure what scares her more-falling for the one man who challenges her...

or realizing he might be right.