Elaine Jeff grew up knowing she would always come second.Overshadowed by her older sister and neglected by her parents, Elaine learned early not to expect love, attention, or fairness from her family. But when her father steals from the powerful Salvi family—a mafia empire feared throughout the city—Elaine suddenly becomes useful for the first time in her life.To save themselves, her parents force her into a five-year contract marriage with Antonio Salvi, the heir to the Salvi empire. The agreement is simple: remain married, produce an heir, and play the role of the perfect wife until Antonio can officially inherit leadership of the family.But life inside the Salvi household is far from simple.Antonio already has someone he loves and wants nothing to do with the arranged marriage. Elaine, unwilling to become another disposable pawn, keeps her distance while trying to survive the dangerous world she has been thrown into. Yet as rival mafia families close in, internal betrayals grow, and power struggles threaten the Salvis from within, the distance between them slowly begins to disappear.Behind Antonio’s cold exterior, Elaine discovers a man burdened by responsibility and expectations. And behind Elaine’s quiet personality lies intelligence, resilience, and a strength that begins to earn the respect of the very family that once saw her as nothing more than a sacrifice.But everything changes when Antonio’s secret lover is revealed to be Tracy—Elaine’s older sister.With betrayal coming from every direction and enemies hiding behind familiar faces, Elaine must decide whether to protect her fragile heart… or fight for a place in a family that was never supposed to become her home.

Cole lost everything the day he confessed to Gina—the idol of West Shore High.Accused of something he didn’t do, stripped of his captaincy, and forced to transfer schools, Cole’s perfect life shattered overnight. Ever since then, he’s never been able to trust love again.Years later, fate brings Gina back into his life.But the girl he once loved is no longer the untouchable queen of West Shore High. Broken, bruised, and trapped in the world of gangs and abuse, Gina has become someone completely different… and she doesn’t even recognize him.Cole should stay away from her.Instead, he finds himself falling for her all over again.As old wounds reopen and dangerous secrets begin to surface, Cole must decide if love is worth risking his heart a second time—or if some people are meant to destroy each other forever.