Abbs Valley

When Dad died, he made me the leader of the Italian Mafia. That position was unheard of for a woman—until me. Ryder, Dex, Gage, and Holden are my team, my closest friends. Then Leo waltzes into my life, turning it upside down, along with everyone in it. One lie. One secret. That's all it took to bring it all burning down around me. Jealousy and hidden desires from the four guys I thought only saw me as their friend and boss stoke the flames even higher.

When I was born, my life was set on a path of destruction, greed, enemies, and certain death. None of that mattered until them: Ryder, Gage, Dex, Holden, and Leo. They are my life, my loves, and in the blink of an eye, they were ripped away from me. At twenty-two, I rose to power as the first female Boss of the Italian Mafia, and at twenty-five, I almost died because of it. I didn't take the threat of a deranged stalker seriously, and it could cost me and Zane, a former love, our lives and sanity.

Growing up as an outsider is never easy. I was the product of an affair, and when my father stepped up to raise me, my mother handed me over, no questions asked. I had my brother Luca and my niece Alessa; that's all I needed. When Luca passed away, it thrust Alessa and me into leading the Italian Mafia. I stepped up until she was ready and gladly handed the mantle back to her capable hands after I helped her forge an alliance with the Perez brothers. Now, I have one goal in life: to win back Evander Perez.

In this life, you were taught vulnerability would get you killed. Distractions led to mistakes, and mistakes led to your death. What happened when the one that made you vulnerable was also the distraction? Evie captivated us all from the beginning. All it took was one look from those big brown eyes, and we laid down everything to protect her—including our lives. We finally got the family we wanted, and then Evie discovered our secret. A secret she wanted no part of. If I learned anything from my brother, Luca, it was to fight like hell for the ones you love.

It's life as usual in Abbs Valley, with Alessa still reigning over the Italian Mafia with her husbands by her side. With Christmas just around the corner, they have a surprise in store for Alessa. The question is, what do you get for the woman who has everything?

I spent one amazing night with the twins, Alexey and Dmitri Orlov, heirs to the Russian Mafia throne. We made a deal. One night with no strings attached. Now, they're convinced I'm theirs.