He’s not a hero. He’s not a villain. He’s just a man trying to survive a world built to break him.

Toby Dunbar returns in the explosive second installment of the gritty urban series that captured readers with its raw emotion, street wisdom, and unforgettable characters. But this time, survival isn’t enough. The past won’t stay buried, and neither will the people Toby thought he left behind. When Mavis Monroe resurfaces, broken and beautiful, asking for help to save her brother Henry from a drug charge that could destroy him, Toby finds himself caught between old wounds and new dangers. Mavis brings back memories of love, betrayal, and everything Toby swore he had walked away from. But he can’t ignore the pain in her voice, or the shadows in her eyes.

Helping Henry means dealing with Lou Money, a street legend who doesn’t just sell drugs, he collects souls. And where Lou Money is, Derrick isn’t far behind. Loud, bitter, and dangerous, Derrick is more than just a rival from Toby’s past, he’s a man whose jealousy knows no limits, and whose hatred burns deeper than Toby ever realized. As Toby tries to navigate the truth behind Henry’s arrest, he begins to question everyone, including Mavis. Is she trying to make things right, or is this another trap? Because nothing is what it seems... and everyone has something to hide. Alongside him, Milton, the loyal friend who always has his back, and Trap, a young man seeking redemption in a world stacked against him, remind Toby that loyalty still exists, even in the darkest corners. In a world where trust is a weapon, love is a liability, and survival comes at a price, Toby Dunbar must decide who he is, and how far he's willing to go to protect what's left of his soul. Fans of The Coldest Winter Ever, Donald Goines, and The Wire will find themselves hooked on this deeply human story of pain, power, and redemption.

Toby Dunbar is back. But this time, there may be no way out.