"In a city built on blood, Freya Skye thought she was the one holding the blade. But Malachi Barton doesn't want her crown-he wants her compliance. When the lights go out in Manhattan, the only rule left is his voice."

She's going off to college, majoring in dance. But she's doing a dual degree. Dance and Sports Journalism/ photography. He is the well known football player. Majoring in kinesiology. He is known for getting around. She sees him on the field. Instantly knows he's trouble but is interested in him. He sees her walking to her class one day. He is also interested in her, just not the way people think. It's like he actually sees her. How they meet? How she sees him. After orientation, it's dark. She wonders around trying to find the dance room. She finds it, but he's in there with a girl. She walks away before they see her. But he saw her. Couple days later at a party he stops her and asks if she saw him and that girl. They keep running into each other. On the field, classes, hallways, parties.

The world is watching the show. But they're missing the real performance. To the fans, Malachi Barton has it all: a sold-out tour, a rising career, and the "perfect" relationship with Kylie. They are the golden couple of the industry-documented in every TikTok, every headline, and every front-row seat. But behind the velvet curtains, the script is falling apart. Malachi is playing a part he never auditioned for. He's dating Kylie to drown out the noise of his own heart, trying to convince himself that the girl on his arm is the one he wants-while his eyes are constantly searching for the one girl he can't have. Freya Skye was supposed to just be a co-star, a friend, a tour mate. But every shared glance in the wings and every "accidental" touch during soundcheck makes the lie harder to maintain. She knows Malachi belongs to her best friend's circle, but she also knows the way he looks at her when the cameras stop flashing. Then there's Malia. Kylie's best friend, Malachi's "sister" figure, and the girl who has been keeping her own secrets for years. She's determined to protect Kylie's relationship-mostly because if Malachi isn't with Kylie, she wants him for herself. On this tour, the music is loud, but the whispers are louder. In a world of choreographed dances and staged romances, the truth is the only thing that isn't on the setlist. One stage. Four hearts. A thousand lies. Who will be left standing when the lights go down?

𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘: Freya Skye Jones has one objective this summer: project supermodel. She wants to be undeniably gorgeous by the end of summer for her debut as an upperclassman. Her one obstacle: Malachi Daniel Barton. Her neighbor, and best friend since childhood. Nothing has ever been weird between them, they've always been close, and she sees him like a sibling. That was until this summer. Suddenly he's acting weird, and Freya can't seem to catch her breath around him. Between her epiphany, and his persistence, surviving this summer seems impossible.

Two empires. One throne. No mercy. Freya Skye is the "Ice Queen" of the London underground-a woman who built a kingdom on silence and sharp steel. She doesn't bow, she doesn't break, and she certainly doesn't belong to anyone. But when a high-stakes deal brings her face-to-face with Malachi Barton, the ruthless, silver-tongued heir to the New York Syndicate, the ice begins to crack. Malachi doesn't just want her territory; he wants the woman behind the crown. He's a man used to total submission, and he's decided that Freya will be his greatest prize. He'll strip away her titles until there's nothing left but her breath against his skin. He'll teach her that in his world, she isn't the boss-she's his. Freya thought she was untouchable. Malachi is about to prove her wrong. She can fight it all she wants, but by the end, she'll be the one begging to wear his mark... and calling him "Daddy." "In this game, Freya, you either rule by my side or crumble at my feet. Which will it be?"

Freya has lived in Los Angeles since she was born, next to her mother's best friend Felicia and her family. Freya never got along with their son, Malachi Barton, but they have to work with each other whether they hate each other or not. The thing is they start realizing their hate was never... hate.