In the heart of Cleveland's tech scene, two brilliant minds are about to collide - two rivals, one conspiracy, zero margin for error.
Kennedy Wyatt's cybersecurity firm is her life's work, built from the ground up to protect minority-owned businesses from digital threats. But when a mysterious wave of attacks begins targeting companies like hers, she discovers a conspiracy that runs deeper than mere code. Enter Isaiah Binutu, a charismatic rival CEO whose innovative software seems suspiciously similar to Kennedy's latest project. As their professional rivalry heats up at Cleveland's prestigious TechCLE conference, a series of escalating threats forces them to consider the unthinkable: working together. With their lives under attack, their companies at risk, and a shadowy corporation pulling strings, Kennedy and Isaiah must navigate a maze of betrayal, corporate espionage, and their own complicated feelings for each other. The stakes? Their companies' futures-and their lives. From the bustling West Side Market to the serene shores of Lake Erie, this romantic suspense races through Cleveland's landmarks as two competitors-turned-allies fight to expose a conspiracy that threatens everything they've built. But in a world where digital footprints can be erased, identities stolen, and time is running out to separate friend from foe. Can they really believe in each other?
In a digital battlefield, trust is the ultimate hack.
Tropes:
Strong Female Protagonist (FMC)
Forced Proximity
Only One Bed
Rivals to Lovers
Corporate Espionage
Protective Hero/Heroine
Slow Burn Romance
Underdog
Second Chances
Emotional Healing
If you love forced proximity, cybercrime mysteries, and powerful Black leads, this is your next obsession.
CONTENT WARNING: Stalking. Explicit sex.
Revealing secrets. Igniting passion. One page at a time.Barbara Howard is a mystery, romantic suspense, and contemporary romance author based in Northeast Ohio with a passion for creating stories that delve into complex relationships and hidden truths. Her works often explore themes of love, trust, and the past's influence on the present. With extensive experience as a Department of Defense/Pentagon Project Manager, KPMG Eastern Region Project Leader, and Corporate Sales Representative for Borders Books & Music, Ms. Howard brings a unique perspective to her writing. Now back in her hometown, she spends her days treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing veggies, and plotting whodunits.Board President, Great Lakes Fiction WritersMemberships/Affiliations: Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Sisters in Crime (SinC), Great Lakes Fiction Writers (GLFW), Crime Writers of Color (CWoC), Authors Guild (AG)
