Book 1 in the Sacred Bonds series. In Texas, land is bought with money... or blood. Azad Martinez spent twenty years building a fortune on a single, cold purpose: to annihilate the uncle who stole his family's ranch and kidnapped his brother. His plan is ruthless, perfect, and leaves no room for weakness-especially not a wife. But when his cousin threatens an innocent woman, Azad makes an impulsive, strategic move. He marries her. Yasmin Garcia is a veterinarian who traded her freedom to save her family's land. She expected a gilded cage and a cold husband. She didn't expect a man whose silence speaks of old wounds, whose touch is a brand, and whose enemies are deadly. As a cartel-backed war ignites around them, Yasmin realizes her new husband isn't just a businessman; he's a king reclaiming his throne by any means necessary. As Malik Martinez and his cartel allies strike back, the battle for the Martinez legacy becomes a war for survival. Yasmin must decide if she is merely a pawn in Azad's game or the one person who can reach the wounded man behind the legend. And Azad must confront the terrifying truth: to win his war, he might have to surrender the fortress around his heart, making the woman he married the greatest target of all. A darkly romantic tale of revenge, resilience, and the ruthless fight for a place to call home.