
Her mother, Stella, retired 3 years ago, after 30 years as an agent. But someone is sending amateurs to kill her, and she doesn't have any backing from the agency for killing anymore.
Stella desperately wants to explain to her eldest, Kelly, why their family broke up so many years ago, and she hopes they can create some kind of relationship, since her heart still aches at having lost both of her children. She agrees to join Kelly for 2 weeks at the resort run by Ivan, who was introduced in the first book also.
Ivan is unnerved by how familiar Stella looks, but attributes it to Kelly's resemblance to her mother. But he's also surprised by his body's reaction to her. Both Ivan and Stella are mature people in their 50's, with adult responsibilities. Neither of them is looking for a partner. But life sometimes gives you what you want, even when you don't know what that is.