Absolution Road — Rachel Blaufeld

For Jake Wrigley, the future is bleak. Some people are survivors, but he's getting by on his bad-boy looks and charming smile. He owns a gym, gets into bar fights, and wrestles his demons with rough workouts -- both in and out of the bedroom. For Alyson Road, the future is bright. Life can only improve from where she grew up. She graduated at the top of her law class, cares for her ailing mom, and in her job, she defends those who can't afford anyone else. Her work is thankless but honest. Jake's twin brother has been covering his ass for as long as they've been alive, but that all changes when Jake finds himself in front of the fiery public defender, his future in her hands. For the first time ever, he doesn't want to involve his brother, finally realizing he needs to stand alone, be his own man. Even if Jake's never absolved of his past wrongdoings or his heart is never scrubbed of the blackness that resides there, he can do one good deed -- protect the beautiful lawyer who touched his soul -- until helping her nearly becomes his own undoing.