Valentina Moretti was raised to be seen, not heard-a beautiful ornament in her father's empire, useful only for the alliance her marriage would bring. But when the Moretti family faces annihilation from rival families circling like wolves, Valentina does the unthinkable on her wedding night: she seizes power in the only way a woman in la famiglia can. By making sure the groom has no choice but to say "I do." Leati Joseph Anoaʻi-The Tribal Chief-didn't build his empire by trusting beautiful women with blood on their hands. As head of the Anoaʻi family, he carries the weight of Samoan tradition, where fa'amatai leadership means he is responsible for every soul under his protection. His word is law. His family is sacred. And his new bride just murdered her way into his life. The marriage contract is signed in blood and binding for one year. Leati gets the Moretti territories, resources, and political connections. Valentina gets protection, a seat at the table, and a husband who watches her like she's a loaded gun. They are not allies. They are not friends. And they are definitely not falling in love. But in a world where blood debt is currency and betrayal is a family tradition, Leati and Valentina discover something more dangerous than their enemies: the possibility that the person sleeping beside you-the one you're supposed to destroy-might be the only one who truly sees you. He believes in tautua-service to family above all. She believes in survival at any cost. Together, they'll either rule an empire... or burn it to ashes.
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