Anario Anderson is a professional poker player who thrives on taking risks—except when it comes to love. After a messy breakup with his daughter's mother two years ago, he's embraced the bachelor lifestyle and left serious relationships off the table. But everything changes when he meets China Armani, his daughter's intelligent, beautiful, and cautious teacher, at a school open house.

Devin "Smoke" Dillinger lives by a simple code—protect what's his at all costs. As the third oldest Dillinger and owner of a successful weapons distribution business, Smoke has a reputation that precedes him. He's a man of few attachments who prides himself on control, discipline, and keeping people at arm's length... until an unexpected visitor walks through his door.

Romi Mitchell is fighting battles on all sides. Seven months pregnant with her second child, she's desperately seeking protection from threats she can no longer handle alone.

Halani Henley experienced a shocking and devastating loss. At six months pregnant, she loses the child she is carrying, and it turns her entire world upside down. To make matters worse, she feels she is the only one taking her miscarriage as seriously as it is. Her boyfriend of three years, Onyx Sawyer, is moving through life as though he hasn't just lost a child as well. When a secret comes out, Halani is faced with the fact that she may not have known her man as well as she thought she did.

Thaddeus Patrick Lourie saw her, wanted her, and declared that he would have her. No person, thing, or beast would stop him from having his rightful mate. As the next in line for the top, there were expectations set. What happens when the set expectations go against his destiny of having her? Will he stick to the expectations or show his teeth and move toward his destiny?

After being in a relationship for three years, Noelle Frost is faced with the reality that she was definitely the better half. Her friends, ecstatic she's dropped the dead weight of a cheating boyfriend, urge her to get away for the holiday and take some time for herself. Not sure if that'll fix anything, but willing to try, she books a last-minute trip to the world-renowned Mistletoe Mountain Resort. Noelle boards the plane with the promise of peace and relaxation on the horizon.

Detavio Decebal was never meant to be good. He was raised in the shadows of a man who believed kindness was weakness, which later made him feel like love was nothing more than a leash meant to be snapped. He was raised by force and taught only to survive. By the time he became an adult, he had taught himself how to dominate those around him until he met Angel. A woman he set out to ruin and break since she was a threat to the Decebal name.

Salima Navarro, a driven young woman with dreams larger than her current circumstances, takes a job at the upscale Aura nightclub to support herself and her recovering mother. This decision unexpectedly propels her into an unfamiliar world. Deuce Dillinger, the commanding heir to a powerful family empire, is accustomed to control in all aspects of his life. Upon seeing Salima, he resolves to make her his, despite her initial resistance to his domineering personality and lifestyle.

Jawaan Young is a man who can make a joke out of any situation. Yet, beneath the surface of his humor is a mask splintering on every side. Suffering from abandonment and rejection, why would he consider showcasing his scars? Yet, one spontaneous decision causes him to question whether he’s willing to accept certain risks.

Kora Caselli is the second oldest of the Caselli siblings. Right along with her brother, she’s had to grow up quicker than she wanted to. Sacrificing the life, she thought she would have to be there for her youngest siblings and step into a role that was always chosen for her. As a federal judge, Kora Caselli, or Judge Case, has built her career on being fair—sometimes, tough—and about business within her courtroom. At 34, she’s one of the youngest and most feared judges in the system, known mostly for the high-profile cases she has tried.

Quamir "Soul" Kelly comes through like a thief in the night, wiping out those who cause friction in the organization. His profession stems from the mistreatment as a child, and now, he's the one soulless person you don't want to encounter. He is thorough and accurate each and every time, even when it comes to things that are unexpected.

Life has been a relentless storm for Kavalli, each tragedy crashing over her like a wave, leaving her battered and bruised. Just when it seems like the sun might finally peek through the clouds, the unthinkable happens, and her world is shattered once again. Years later, she's learned to make peace with the wreckage of her dreams. Her life may not be what she once imagined, but she clings to the hope that those who've wronged her will one day face the consequences of their actions.

Meet Trent Bailey, who is fighting for the right to continue his stellar professional football career after enduring striking legal woes in the recent past. Trent cannot and will not blow his second chance for anyone; after all, this is the blessing he's been praying for. After receiving confirmation that staying focused is all he needs, it's what he aims to do. No distractions. That's until he bumps into two unexpected overnight guests.

One random encounter. One electrifying conversation. One night of passion. Is that all it takes for two strangers to fall in love?

Losing her father to the 9/11 terrorist attack at the tender age of three, has Genesis Farris longing for what she feels is missing. Being that her mother never remarried or even introduced another man into their lives, it made her that much more curious about what it was like to be loved by one. She’s always wanted to know and experience what was so special or significant about a man’s love, but she was far from the point of desperation. Just from the stories she’d heard about her father, she knew that he wanted what was best for her, so she refused to settle for less than that.

After the untimely death of his father, Rosier "Zoo" Boudreaux rightfully inherits Boudreaux Enterprises. Although he anticipated being in charge his entire life, he could have never prepared for the dark secrets, dirty money, and unethical practices that lived after his father's demise. Though thrown for a loop, he wastes no time claiming his seat at the head of the table and demanding the respect of his constituents. After all, Zoo was trained for it.