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I was raised with the criminal underground’s most notorious crew turned government-sanctioned mercenaries in Texas and Colorado, known as the Death Kings. My uncle is one of them known as the Gator King. Now I walk in his footsteps, leading a crew of my own with his backing. To my family, my nickname is Seraphim, but in my kingdom, I’m the Viper King. Now the boys who left me, who swore they would stay by my side to protect me, are back in town. They are attempting to become like C.H.A.O.S. who run Palomino Bay, Texas. That will not happen because Grêle, Louisiana, is my stronghold. The person they need to protect is themselves because it isn’t me. …They don’t know my secret, but I know theirs…

Blurb "Sign the papers, Celeste." I wiped the blood from my nose, my hands trembling as I handed my husband the contract I had worked tirelessly to finalize for him. But instead of gratitude, he shoved divorce papers in my face. And beside him, smirking in triumph, was the woman he had replaced me with—the daughter of his boss. Five years of sacrifice, of love, of loyalty… all reduced to nothing. Ethan Carter had used me, discarded me, and now he was climbing higher on the back of another woman. I thought that was the end of my story. Until he appeared. Damien Sinclair—the youngest billionaire in the country, ruthless in business, feared by his enemies, and a man who never gave without taking something in return. And he wanted me. Overnight, I went from the forgotten ex-wife to the envy of high society, the woman draped in luxury, held in the arms of a man who commanded the world. But Damien’s interest in me wasn’t coincidence. He knew my past. He knew my pain. And when he whispered my childhood nickname in his sleep, I realized… he knew me. Now, I must uncover the truth before I lose myself in the passion, the power, and the dangerous game I never saw coming. Because in Damien’s world, love is just another negotiation—and I might be the one paying the ultimate price.

She froze, breath caught, facing the storm in his delinquent brown eyes. He leaned over her, hands gripping the rail, boxing her in. The air was thick, too heavy to breathe. Her gaze locked on his—unwilling, yet unable, to look away. The closer he leaned, the harder her heart pounded. She bit her lip, nerves twitching. No matter how far she ran, he always found her. “Why do you keep chasing me?” she asked, barely above a whisper. Her voice trembled, as if volume might shatter her. He didn’t answer. Silence roared between them. His stare—cold, unreadable—never left her face. “Do you like me?” she pressed, ignoring the disinterest in his eyes. She needed something. He gave a soft tut, then brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, twirling it lazily. The touch was light, but his closeness made her pulse race. “‘Like’ is a bit heavy, Tinkerbell,” he murmured, voice low and indifferent. The nickname slipped out like smoke—mocking, yet oddly tender. He leaned in, close enough for her to feel his heat. Close enough to unravel her. But his eyes stayed dark. Empty. She swallowed hard, unsure what hid behind them. “It’s strange,” he added, voice softer now. “But you’re the first woman I’ve ever aknowledged as a lady, Snow White.” — She was the good girl. Quiet. Overlooked. Her life, a shadow. No warmth. No safety. For a moment, she thought she’d found love—someone who saw her. Someone worth clinging to. But he broke her. When he left, he took her love—and her self-worth. She hated herself after that. Then she started to rebuild. And that’s when Zachary Gonzalez appeared. Mysterious. Magnetic. Dangerous. Everything she shouldn’t want.