A Royal Organized Crime Romance: Prologue
If you knew love could kill you, would you still fall?
The moment Brando Piero Fausti appeared in the snow-filled night, he made the blood hum in my veins. With a body worthy of a statue in Italy, he tethered my life to his with an irrevocable bond. He was the most dangerous man I had ever felt. A savage beast lurked just beneath his surface, ready to battle for what he loved the most—me.
Little did I know that he would lure me into a gilded cage with his beautiful words and searing touch. Little did he know, I’d always fight to follow the true alignment of my stars.
Man of Honor is the beginning of an eight-part Royal Organized Crime Romance saga.
** Previously released as The Beautiful Years I **

At St. Monarch’s Academy, you’re either a predator, a pawn, or prey. It’s the only neutral territory where heirs of the wealthiest rival crime families learn underworld skills.

Alliances are made. Loyalty is owned. Love is taken.

As the best protector in training, I will be paired with the top assassin.
Because I’m unbeatable, everyone fears me.
Even her, Winter, Mafia Princess of the Hemsley family.
Every time she looks at me with fear in her eyes, desire burns through my body. When she doesn’t back down it only makes exhilaration rush through my veins.

Training with Winter comes at a price. The more time I spend with her, the more I want to claim her for myself.

When blood is shed, it’s up to me to protect Winter, and it places her at my mercy. Perfect for a predator like me.
But there’s a price to pay for my protection, and the only payment I’ll accept is her body, heart, and soul.

We're a match made in hell, Stefan and I.
He took me to exact his revenge. I went from being a pawn to my father to being a pawn to Stefan. The only difference is I have a ring the size of a boulder on my finger and a husband I don't want.
And the hardest part is I thought he was different. I thought I was falling in love.
I guess my father was right. I'm not a very smart girl.
Stefan is a powerful man. He doesn't play nice, not if you're his enemy. But I've learned one thing about my husband. He takes care of what's his. And I am his.
His enemies have become my enemies, but he'll never let anyone hurt me. He's fiercely protective.
It's the predator inside that scares me.

Gabriela

Stefan Sabbioni showed up in my bedroom on my sixteenth birthday. Uninvited, he stood in the shadows smelling of whiskey and death and wrapped a broken, blood-crusted necklace around my neck.

I thought he’d strangle me with it.

That night, he left a message for my father. He said he’d be back to take something precious.

I never delivered that message, though. I wonder if things would be different if I had because now, two years later, he’s back. And he’s not hiding in any shadows.

He’s come to make good on his promise.
He’s back to take that something precious.
Me.

Stefan

Marchese is the manipulator of my family’s tragedy. I won’t just bring him to his knees. I’ll bury him for what he did.

Taking his daughter is only the beginning. I’ll do it knowing I’m starting a war. I’ll do it knowing my enemies will become his allies. They’ll stop at nothing to destroy me and he’ll stop at nothing to get her back.

I’ve never shied away from war, though. I’m not one to play nice and I don’t share my toys. I’ll demolish you if you touch what’s mine.

And she is most definitely mine.