An unexpected event, of split second duration, spins lives out of control. A girl and her partner live a nightmare, racing to contain disastrous outcomes from an ill-considered 'spur-of-the-moment' action. Earlier events, lying beyond the girl's control, reach forward to twist and turn matters. Unbeknownst to the girl, she's been swept up in a Mafia-controlled, international criminal conspiracy. How high does the conspiracy rise in the halls of government power?... All the way to the top Can the girl depend on her man? Maybe, but the partnership seems always inches from a disastrous collapse. Does the girl have others to fall back on? Yes, there's a wealthy neighbor lady who takes the girl under her wing; and a young man who bonds strongly with the girl, but is he too young? A diverse cast of characters, both local and national figures, each in their own words, tell this story of avarice, intrigue, and primal passions. The story ranges across regional, national and international backdrops. Action is non-stop. Back story ties together and interrelates all the tales. Careful time lines enhance the reader's immersion, deep into the story.