Caresse "Cari" Collins, grew up in a home of on-going (daily) domestic violence. She spent her early years hiding from her father and protecting her younger sister. Her entire career has been spent working for Child Welfare in Willow Glen, OK. Lincoln "Linc" Maitland is the empathic twin brother of Lyssa Bradley. Every time Lyssa is beaten by her husband Linc feels the pain. He and Lyssa, though they are fraternal twins, have had an empathic bond all their lives.

Linc feels he must get his sister and his niece out of the abusive situation. When he discovers his sister in such a deep coma he believes her dead he grabs Aimee and runs with her. They learn he is wanted for murder and he can't understand why anyone would think he'd kill his twin sister. When they learn the person who is dead is Blake, and his sister is in a deep coma in the hospital, Linc and Cari go back to Willow Glen so he can face the charges.