Hazel spent years invisible and hidden behind glasses, freckles, and a wall of shyness. Best friends with Sasha Roman since the third grade, she's spent countless nights at the Roman estate, watching Sasha's father, Alexander Roman, command a room with nothing more than a glance. Leader of The Empire—the most ruthless gang in the city—Alexander is ruthless. Men fear him. Women desire him. But to Hazel, he's always been someone she couldn't have but wanted desperately.When Sasha gives Hazel a makeover before college, she transforms into someone unrecognizable—popular, confident, seen. But no amount of attention from other men can erase the feelings she's carried for years. In one night of chaos and blood, Hazel does the impossible: she saves Alexander's life. And in his eyes, she transforms from his daughter's shy friend into something far more dangerous—a woman who belongs to him. But as his world crumbles and enemies try to infiltrate his organization. Hazel must make the ultimate sacrifice. And one question is on both their minds is love really worth it?

When a brutal snowstorm destroys Jemma St. John's holiday getaway, she expects inconvenience—not to be stranded in a remote mountain lodge with a brooding single father and the little girl who instantly claims her as family. Shaun Blade never wanted guests. He barely tolerates Christmas, barely tolerates people, and absolutely does not tolerate the way Jemma makes his carefully barricaded world feel suddenly… breakable. He’s spent years hiding from the truth of his past—and the town that gossips about it. A stranger is the last thing he needs. Yet as the storm traps them together, Jemma finds warmth in the glow of twinkle lights and Sage’s cheerful chaos… and in the quiet moments where Alexander’s guard slips, revealing the man beneath the shadows. The man she should run from but can’t stay away from. But Alexander’s past isn’t finished with him—and falling for him might be the most dangerous thing Jemma has ever done. When whispers turn to threats, the truth claws free and a secret that could tear their worlds apart, Jemma has to decide if she should risk everything for the man and the small girl who tore through her carefully guarded heart.