A troubled present . . .

A Nor'easter is predicted in Coldwater Cove and storm chaser Emma Ross is desperate to improve warning times with her research so no one has to live through what she did. Armed with her equipment, she sets out to capture the storm, but captures a group of men and girls crossing the frozen ice instead. When she tries to help, they shoot at her.

Navy SEAL Gunner Nash is on leave, choosing the cove for its lack of tourists in the harsh winter months as his destination. After three tours of duty, surviving conditions that would kill most, witnessing unspeakable acts, and being betrayed by his comrade, he prefers to be alone. While ice fishing, he hears the shot and discovers a wounded Emma.

They make it to town, but the storm has hit so the investigation is put on ice until the weather clears. Looking through the pictures she snapped, Emma recognizes a missing teen. They discover a secret that could ruin Coldwater Cove for good. The clock is ticking, but Emma only trusts Gunner. She knows storms, and he knows survival. Something about her is breaking down his walls. He can't let her go alone, so he follows her on her rescue mission only to realize she lied to him and now they're the ones being hunted.