Kira Logan has agreed to paint four portraits for two couples. One family, the Thorntons, have many marital problems. He is a wife abuser and more. His wife is desperately searching for a way to leave him. The other family, the Barlows, are very happily married but have a son who, risking his job and the company he works for, wants to help Mrs. Thornton.

This book centers on Kira's problems with her various models and her difficulties with the Thorntons as they try to work out their differences. When Mr. Thornton is killed in an auto accident the police find a host of people who are happy to know he's dead.

Kira suddenly learns that working with an abused woman and suspicious men can lead her into dangerous situations.