22-Year-old Lexi Martin's life hasn't always been so good. Her life seemed perfect on the outside, wealthy parents, a smart older brother, and a big house. The reality is, her parents live across the country, her brother is never home, and being left alone in her house is her biggest fear.
Luckily, growing up, her best friend Lydia Tonelli and her big Italian family were always there for her. Lydia's six overprotective brothers became Lexi's makeshift family.
At 13, Lexi's fears become reality when a string of local robberies hits too close to home. Terrified and alone, she reaches out to Melvin, Lydia's older brother, and the only person who she knows will answer.
Melvin always held a special place in Lexi's heart. A protector, a friend, and someone she adores deeply. The lines of their relationship blur, filled with jealousy, possessiveness, and protectiveness, especially, after the robbery. Melvin spent almost every night with Lexi to make sure she was safe.
When they were 16, Lydia found out about the relationship between her best friend and her brother, creating a rift in their friendship. At 18 Lexi's only friend went away for college, and went no contact with her and the entire family. It felt like Lexi's sense of self went with her.
Lexi realizes that all these years she's been reliant on Melvin for safety, guidance, and to tell her who she is. She decides to take her life into her own hands, finding her independence, and thus herself. She breaks things off with Melvin, goes to nursing school, makes new friends, and has new experiences.
Lexi is drawn back into the Tonelli world when Lydia returns home, hoping to rekindle their friendship. Just as things seem to be mending, Lexi finds herself caught in the middle of a blood feud.
The Tonelli 'family business' has reared its ugly head, and she and Lydia are the collateral damage. But Lexi won't accept that. Will Melvin come to her rescue? Or will she find the strength to save herself?
I felt the tears rise and I looked down for a minute, gathering all of my resolve. I looked up again and stared him right in the eye.
"You know what? I trusted you!" I jabbed my finger in his chest and he recoiled.
"I trusted you and you broke my trust. I trusted you to keep the secret. I trusted you enough to tell you everything. I trusted you to keep my trust. I trusted you." I told him and he flinched as my voice broke in the end. I looked away from him and at everyone else in the room.
"And you wonder why I never trust. You know what? I can't do this. I'm done." I scoffed and shoved past Aiden but paused at the door, not looking back.
"Oh, and if you are still curious? Go ahead and hack into the file. Don't say that I didn't warn you."
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Alexis and Aiden are siblings with Aiden being 11 months older than her. With a neglectful mother and an abusing step dad, these two face the world on their own with no one to help them out. When they get a chance at a new life, they jump at it. What happens when Alexis bumps into a boy in the new school she is set to attend? Especially when the boy she bumps into looks exactly like her.
[Like I mention in every book, my descriptions are horrible so please read the book before judging anything.]