His scars run deeper than flesh. Her lie might be the only thing that saves him-or destroys them both.

Haunted by the horrors of his past, Duncan Ross wears his scars like armor and keeps the world at arm's length-including his own family. Wracked by uncontrollable rages and convinced he's unworthy of love, he's resigned himself to a solitary existence. But when a fiery, beautiful woman claims they're courting to manipulate her powerful family, Duncan is thrust into a dangerous game of pretend... one that begins to feel far too real.

Beatrice Macdonald may be the pampered daughter of a laird, but she's no delicate flower. Determined to protect her sister from mistreatment, she's willing to stretch the truth-even if it means dragging the brooding, battle-scarred Duncan Ross into her scheme. Yet the more time she spends with the tormented warrior, the more she questions everything-including her choice of which Ross brother to use for her plan.

As hearts tangle and truths unravel, Duncan must decide: retreat into the shadows that have kept him safe... or risk everything for a love he never believed he deserved.