The Things We Hide

She has grown up knowing only fear, poverty, and instability after her mother's death and her brother's disappearance. Life has never been gentle with her-only something to endure. Meanwhile, he was born into privilege: wealth, power, a loving family, and loyal friends. But even his life is not free. He is trapped by the expectations of a dangerous mafia legacy he never chose.

Melanie Montgomery has spent her entire life surviving an abusive home, keeping her head down, working tirelessly, and dreaming of one thing-escape.

That escape finally comes when she earns a scholarship to the prestigious Silverbay Academy, an elite private school reserved for the wealthy and powerful. It is a world that was never meant for someone like her.

There, she meets Hunter D'Angelo.

Hunter seems to have it all. He is the captain of the soccer team, admired by everyone, surrounded by loyal friends, and part of a powerful family that would do anything for him. He is golden on the outside-untouchable, perfect.

But perfection is only an illusion.

Beneath his carefully controlled life lies a dangerous truth: his father is one of the most powerful mafia bosses in the country, and Hunter is expected to inherit a world built on blood, fear, and control.

Everything changes when Hunter meets Melanie.

For the first time, he wants something that doesn't belong to his world. He wants her. And more than that-he wants to protect her, even if it means defying everything he was raised to become.

As their worlds collide, Melanie and Hunter are drawn into a love that is as intoxicating as it is dangerous. Because in their world, love isn't safe-it's a risk. A weakness. A weapon.

And sometimes, the most dangerous thing you can do... is fall in love.