For most of Lacy Waldrip's life, she and her mother, Brenda have suffered abuse at the hands of the man who is supposed to love them, cherish them, and protect them. To make matters worse, their abuser wears a badge and uses it to keep his deputies from interfering in his 'right' to discipline his women. Each woman accepts her fate, each is determined to stay in the relationship to help the other. Then one day, the sheriff goes too far and Lacy and Brenda end up in the hospital where they meet Dr. Allen Petoro. Together with a determined social worker, Angela Martin, Dr. Petoro vows to help the two victims break free of their abuser. Sheriff Peter Waldrip doesn't like the good doctor's interference and isn't going to let his family go that easily.