The Ascendant Shadow

At just 18, Valentina Casillas navigates two worlds: the elite halls of an academy she attends with her siblings and the dangerous criminal underworld connected to her family's secrets. While Valentina appears to be the sophisticated daughter of a wealthy businessman, her past as an ally to Rogelio, a powerful gang leader, casts a long shadow over her life at home. Living under with her family and attending the academy, she tries to keep her family unaware of the dark deeds she once carried out.

Her attempts to escape her criminal ties are complicated when she meets Xander, Ron, Jason, and Chris, members of the ruthless Black Blood Mafia. Drawn to Valentina's intelligence and the fierce independence that sets her apart from her innocent siblings, each of the four men becomes entangled in her life, their attraction to her growing. Despite her young age, Valentina carries the weight of dangerous knowledge that could destroy her family's empire.

Caught between the pressures of school, family, and the mafia, Valentina's loyalty is tested as old enemies resurface and the lines between love and survival blur. As the stakes rise, Valentina must figure out how to protect her family while keeping control of her heart, and whether the men who stand beside her are allies or threats in disguise.