"Breathe." He dipped his head down so that his lips were right at my ear, his strong arm wrapped securely around my waist, molding my body into his. "If you're going to fall apart,." He starts, teeth gritted. "Now's the time. I'll be here to put you back together when it's over." I squeezed my eyes shut again, and I did just that. I fell apart. ******* Secrets. Lies. Deception. Murder. I'd seen and done it all. And not willingly. So I left. I sacrificed my freedom to save myself, and the only way to ensure my own safety was to start over. Clean slate. New people. New me. But the last thing I expected when I arrived at Manonwell Prep Academy was to be bombarded by a boy-no, a man who held some unknown vendetta against me. Call it obsession, infatuation, hatred. To me it was all one in the same. He was everywhere I turned, like a shadow. Watching me. Taunting me. Haunting me. And it was all because of something I did to him a long time ago. It was something so bad that he couldn't stand me, that he wanted me dead, and the idea of making my life a living hell was something that he took pride in. But I didn't remember. I had no clue what I could've done to him in the past, but he was hellbent on pushing me until I did. My plans on starting over were shattered the minute I stepped inside that school. He was the type of person that demanded your attention without having to speak. He was untamed and wild and unhinged. But what he didn't know was that the Winter Travers that he knew in past, the one I didn't remember, was no longer alive. I was different. She was gone and I was here. And he was everything I should've been afraid of. Sinister, quiet, manipulative, but I knew it would be a cold day in hell before I let him win. Ronan was like gasoline waiting to be doused on the fire that inside me, and if he was ready to burn, then so was I.

Book #1 (Tainted Scars Series) How far would you go for the life you want? And what happens when the man who owns your body wants your soul, too? Athena Vintalli is the little sister of Roman Vintalli-a mafia leaders in New York City. Sheltered, protected, and expected to follow the family's path, Athena harbors a secret dream far from blood and bullets: to become a professional dancer. Between school and rehearsals with her dance crew, she lives for the stage-not the streets. But when she makes a deal with the devil to fund her dream, everything changes. Vain Grey is dangerous, irresistible, and Roman's sworn enemy. Known for breaking hearts and rules alike, he sets his sights on Athena-and doesn't take no for an answer. Desperate to buy her own dance studio, Athena signs a contract with Vain, believing she can handle the price of ambition. What begins as a calculated exchange soon spirals into obsession, control, and a twisted game of power. Vain won't let her go. And Athena has to hide the truth from her brother before everything-her dreams, her freedom, and her life-comes crashing down. Now published on paperback, hardcover and kindle !!! I DONT OWN ANY OF THE PHOTOS USED. Highest rank #1 in tainted 12/23/2020 Highest rank #8 In innocent 12/19/2020. Highest Rank #1 in blackmail 08/04/2021 Highest Rank #1 in adult-language 05/02/2021 Highest Rank #19 in sex scenes 12/24/2020 Highest Rank #6 in brother 01/08/2021 Highest Rank #2 In enemy 06/01/2021 Highest Rank #2 in adult-content 08/18/2021 Highest Rank #5 in violence 11/8/2021 Highest Rank #7 in dance 07/26/22