Taber, Chief of Security for the Eurus colony, has a secret, one he is ashamed to tell even his closest friends. One he wants to keep hidden. When he's asked to investigate a series of murders on a pleasure ship, he must come to terms with his past as he tries to fight his attraction to the ship's feisty female bartender.

Fallon doesn't know what to make of the tall, brooding alien who has walked into her bar. She'd like nothing more than to get Taber into her bed until she learns that Briel don't have casual relationships. When a night of passion leads to a confession, Fallon can't help but fall in love with Taber, despite the danger it puts him in.

When the murderer focuses on Fallon, Taber will do anything to protect her. Even sacrifice his life.