Crimson Fate

His father is dead. His family is watching. And the only woman he can't stop thinking about is the one he was never supposed to want.

Vincent King wanted the empire. His father made no secret of the fact that he didn't think his son was ready for it. But with his father's blood still fresh and rivals circling like wolves, Vincent has no room for weakness.

The strategic match with Gia Casaletto makes sense. She's the daughter of one of the family's most loyal captains - a union that would fortify his position, quiet the doubters, and prove he's the leader they need. It's not about love. It never is in their world.

It's not about Eva Martinez either.

Eva has been Amelia's best friend since they were girls. She's been a fixture in Vincent's life for years - always there, always off-limits, always the one person he never let himself look at twice. She's family. She's untouchable. She's exactly the kind of complication a man in his position cannot afford.

But grief changes a man. Power changes a man. And watching Eva help keep him together - knowing he's about to pledge himself to someone else - breaks something open in Vincent he can't close again.

Now Vincent is caught between the marriage that will secure his throne and the woman who makes him want to burn it all down. Every moment he spends with Eva is a betrayal of his duty. Every moment he spends away from her is a lie he tells himself.

In the King family, you don't get to choose who you love. You choose what you can live with.

Vincent is about to find out if those are the same thing.