Some monsters wear masks.Some wear smiles.And some grow flowers.Ren has spent thirteen years living in the aftermath of the worst day of her life.A childhood mass shooting took her mother, stole her voice, and left her trapped inside a world that feels too loud, too crowded, and far too dangerous. Now nineteen, Ren communicates through pen and paper, clings to her white lilies, and finds her only real comfort in her cat, Cinnamon.Then she finds The Glass & Evergreen.Quiet. Beautiful. Safe.And its owner, Talon, seems to understand her in a way no one else ever has.He gives her space when she needs it. Learns her signs. Notices the smallest changes in her expression. Somehow, around him, the world doesn’t feel quite so terrifying.What Ren doesn’t know is that Talon has known her for years.He’s watched from the shadows. Learned her routines. Built a sanctuary around the things she loves. And when someone threatens the fragile safety she’s spent years rebuilding, Talon doesn’t call the police.He handles it himself.Because Talon has always believed there are two kinds of people in this world:Those who hurt her—and those who make sure they never get the chance to do it again.But as Ren begins to trust the man behind the flowers, the line between protection and possession starts to disappear.And eventually, she’ll have to ask herself the one question Talon has spent years avoiding:What happens when the person who makes you feel safest…is the most dangerous person you’ve ever met?

Hallie Dunn did everything right. Straight A’s, perfect friends, amazing at sports, and even landed an amazing internship at one of the top-labeled magazines in the country. She knew not to post where she was until after she left, knew to keep a stun gun on her at all times and to check her vehicle for any lingering or suspicious people before entering. Until she met him. Tall, glorious, and one hell of a smile, she felt safe, until it all started unraveling. TW: includes murder, suicide, substance abuse, stalking, kidnapping and sexual abuse