Book excerpt: From mistrust to love: can two wounded hearts find healing in each other? Evan Landry has always kept his past buried beneath a façade of calm, avoiding close relationships ever since a storm claimed his parents. The loss left him wary, and though he longs for his own family, he's cautious—especially after his brother's PowerBall windfall, which seemed to invite more trouble than joy. Channeling his wealth into helping others, Evan finds solace in supporting older women until his path crosses with Renee Ward. Renee has long been disillusioned with love, seeing it as a necessary evil rather than a source of happiness. After her mother and father’s string of failed relationships, she’s learned to avoid men and doesn’t believe in happily ever after. She views love as a fleeting illusion rather than a source of fulfillment, resigning herself to a life devoid of lasting connection. But when she crosses paths with a dangerous drug dealer and is forced to seek refuge at her grandmother’s home, Renee is acutely aware that her safety is only temporary. When Evan and Renee’s worlds collide, their mutual disdain is palpable, yet their undeniable chemistry is equally powerful. Can these two opposites confront their fears and resolve their differences to embrace a love neither of them believed possible? Fans of Elise Silver, Lori Wilde, Natalie Dean and Rhonda Lee Carver will enjoy the Billionaire Cowboy Brothers.