Chapter 1

The day Damian Cross came home, lights burned the whole length of the drive at Vale House.

I stood beneath the portico, my gaze settled on the gril behind him.

She wore a white dress and peered around his shoulder like a frightened deer.

Damian stopped in front of me. His voice was rough when he said, "Vivi."

He was thinner, darker, and several new scars crossed his face.

I managed a smile and stepped forward to embrace him.

He shifted aside and drew the girl forward.

"This is Lila Hart," he said. "She saved my life down south."

My smile froze.

At the welcome-home dinner, my father sat at the head of the long table and watched Damian with open satisfaction. Marcus Vale didn't hand out approval often.

"You did well," he said. "Name your reward."

Damian set down his glass, left his chair, and led Lila into the center of the room. They knelt together in front of my father.

Damian didn't look at me. His eyes stayed on the man he called Boss.

"I don't want a reward. I have only one request. Let me give Lila my name."

The room went silent.

Every guest turned toward me, their eyes moving with cruel fascination between Damian, Lila, and me.

I was Vivian Vale, heir to one of the most feared families in the city. Everyone in our world knew I was unhinged, and everyone knew that three years ago Damian had been a nameless foot soldier until I picked him over every objection in the room.

Now the dog I'd raised had bitten the hand that fed him.

My father's expression turned thunderous. One of his men brought forward the Vale family's black-and-gold punishment whip and put it in my hands. A silver serpent coiled around the handle, and the braided leather had tasted the blood of more than one traitor.

My father's voice held no warmth.

"You know our rule. When a dog proves disloyal, you deal with it yourself."

Lila began to tremble. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

"This isn't Damian's fault. It's mine! Miss Vale, please punish me instead."

Damian moved in front of her, straightened his back, and closed his eyes as though he were offering himself for execution.

"Vivi, I owe her. You can take my life whenever you want, but I must give her the status she deserves."

He believed I'd lose control the way I once had for him. That I would go mad for him and make rivers of blood flow in his name.

I carried the whip toward him one measured step at a time.

At the instant he expected the lash to fall, I opened my hand.

The whip struck the floor.

I lifted my left hand and slowly worked off the diamond ring he had bought with his first real payday. Our initials were still engraved inside the band.

I tossed it at his knees.

"Congratulations, Damian."

Then I turned away from the stunned room, took out my phone, and called a number I'd saved long ago and never used.

The man picked up almost immediately. His amused, lazy voice rolled through the receiver.

"Vivian Vale? This is a rare honor. What made you think of me?"

Damian's eyes flew open. Disbelief spread across his scarred face.

I met his stare and said it slowly, so he'd catch every word.

"Adrian. That proposal you made me. Does it still stand?"

There was one beat of silence. Then Adrian's low laughter filled my ear.

"It would be my honor."

I ended the call and faced Damian's bloodshot eyes.

He lunged toward me and reached for my wrist.

"Vivian, have you lost your mind?"

Before his hand could touch me, someone stepped between us.