Luc d'Artois is ready to die. He has nothing to live for. All he has left is his name.But his name proves more valuable than he realizes when he is approached by amysterious woman who offers a temporary reprieve from the gallows in exchange for his name. His contract with Gabrielle Giraud, however, turns out to be much more than he bargained for. She could be his every dream come true or the start of a nightmare from which he will never awaken.Caught in a web of deceit and betrayal, degradation, and brutality, they are trapped in a secret and living a lie...his lie, the lie Luc demanded Gabrielle live with. But will the lie intended to afford Luc time to redeem himself rob him of the life he intends to live with Gabrielle?