I was meant to be just a note. A lovely little pawn in my father's warped revenge plot. Rather, I turned into his prisoner. Rafael Costa—the callous heir to the Costa Mafia Empire—took me as payment for a debt I never owed. Cold, cunning, and alarmingly gorgeous, he trapped me in his world of blood and power. He claims I now belong to him. That I shall be his queen in this perilous underworld, his possession, his wife. But I am not the delicate little blossom he believes I am. Every time we argue, the fire between us burns hotter. Hatred and desire mix into something neither of us can govern. Yet in the shadows of his past life secrets—secrets that might destroy all. Finding the largest one of all helps me to see that the true foe was never Rafael. I'm caught now between the past that won't stay buried and the guy I vowed to despise. Love is a battle in our society. The issue is—who will win the fight?

"The night I married his wife, I felt as though I was entering into a covenant with the devil." Alessandro DeLuca ruled my fate, not only owning the underworld but also being cold, calculated, and dangerously irresistible. My father's wounded desperation sealed our planned marriage, not a union of love. I was hardly more than collateral. Rather, I considered it. However, Alessandro's denial on our wedding night transcended any physical injury. He wanted a queen able to conquer the gloom in his spirit, not a delicate, sheltered child like me. I sprinted, determined never to turn around. Five years later, I rebuilt my life in Paris, distant from the shadow of his enterprise. I am stronger now; even now, I am unrecognizable. But the fire I thought had gone out bursts back to life when Alessandro finds me seeking a second chance. He now desires me as his wife, not just a partner. He is after my heart and allegiance. my pardon. I'm uncertain about my ability to trust him again. But more frightening to me is what? The side of me is still longing.

I stayed because I could not leave him, despite his assurances that he would protect me. Saying no to the offer of protection from a ruthless billionaire like Cole Westbrook is not easy, especially when your life is in danger. Rising star in the fashion industry, I have drawn the interest of more than just consumers and reviewers. Cole is the only one able to protect me from the approaching danger; someone else wants me gone. His strength is unmatched. He is extremely picky. When he insisted that I live in his penthouse, I had no choice but to comply. Nonetheless, the longer I remain in his company, the more challenging it becomes to even remain safe. A taste of his authority and caress would be so comforting. Being both lethal and sedative, he is an acquired taste. A measure that is initially intended to provide protection ends up providing more. The man who controls everything is holding my attention and will not let go. Not like me. But I know that as the danger grows and my enemies draw near, my heart—even with his protection—could be the most fragile thing in the world.