They say a princess always gets what she wants.

But Valencia Garvano was never given a choice.

At eighteen, she should've been worrying about graduation, prom, lipstick shades.

Not about the ring waiting on her finger, not from the man she wanted, but the man her father chose.

A man twice her age.

Twice as ruthless.

And ten times more dangerous.

Valencia wasn't blind to the blood her family waded in.

She just didn't expect to drown in it.

Blake Caruso was hired to protect her, shadow her every move, guard her from threats she couldn't see.

But no one warned him that she would be the real danger.

The way she laughed too loud. Smiled like she hadn't inherited the darkness in her blood.

Lived recklessly, like she knew it would all burn down anyway.

He should've walked away the moment he started looking at her like more than a job.

Because falling for the mafia princess wasn't just forbidden.

It was a death sentence.

She was promised to another.

And he...

He would rather die than watch her become someone else's bride.

But in their world, love doesn't save you.

It marks you for destruction.

And their story?

It was never meant to end in a kiss,

Only in blood.

I rather die than let you marry someone else.

~Blake

I rather marry someone else than risk your life.

~Valencia