Jake Marlow is a soldier of fortune, a gambler and a loner. He's never gotten close to anyone, or made friends, but that all changes one night when he is shanghaied. Jake promises a dying man, Charlie Reams, that he will save his daughter, Lori, and her ranch.

Bob Crates is a hard man driven by greed, who has plans to establish an outlaw kingdom. He's already wiped out one ranch under the pretense of a cattle war. Crates is a handsome man, gifted with a silver tongue. The townspeople like him and those who don't, fear him. There's one ranch he needs to make him a wealthy man; the L-C, Lori Reams ranch. He also wants the gold that is hidden on it, but there is one person standing in his way; Jake Marlow.

Now Crates wants something more than the gold. Crates wants Jake dead.