**Contains Some Triggers - See Below** After enduring the tragic loss of her mother, Alexis's world crumbled. Love became a distant memory as she was subjected to mistreatment and sold to Blackthorn, a notorious criminal organization, by the man she once called her father. Crime and violence became a daily occurence and love, simply a tool of pleasure that men used over women. Swallowed by the shadows, Alexis locked her heart away, only allowing herself to feel a sense of belonging with the men of Backthorn, who had each played a role in her survival and growth. But everything changes when her suitor, Dillion, reveals his genuine feelings for her at the tender age of seventeen. Caught off guard, Alexis struggles to accept his love, feeling more comfortable with the allure of lust than the vulnerability of emotional connection. Doubts consume her as she questions whether Dillion can prove himself and remain faithful to her amidst the chaos that surrounds them. And to further complicate matters, Alexis becomes entangled in the mysterious allure of a new masked figure, a rival to the gangs that rule the area. **Although I do not go into any detail regarding the abuse that the main character has gone through, there are mentions of it as well as mentions of murder, some commited by the young girl.**