Falling for the enemy was never part of my plan…
Losing my innocence at thirteen, in the most brutal way, changed me. My kidnapper stole my childhood and tried to break me. The knowledge my father orchestrated the entire situation hardened my heart, and instead of grieving his death, I celebrated it.
One down. Many more to go.
My burning need for revenge has only grown over the years, keeping me focused on my goals and enabling my rise to power.
Made men are weak. A pretty face and the promise of a good time easily distracts them.
Now, I’m in charge.
Men bow before me.
Except for him—the brother of my abductor. Massimo fights me every step of the way, but I’m not about to let the explosive chemistry between us deter me from my chosen path. His family is my enemy. He is my enemy, even if he doesn’t know it yet.
I won’t stop until all those who wronged me are punished.
By the time they realize I’m coming, it will be too late.
They tried to take everything from me.
But where they failed, I will succeed.
Unless he becomes my weakness.
This story is epic in every way. Catarina’s story is heartbreaking and emotional, but that just makes it all the more satisfying as you admire her empire and see her exacting revenge. She’s smart and brave but totally underestimated by the men in this world, dismissed because she’s a woman. That just makes her all the more dangerous because nobody sees her coming. Her reign as Donna Conti in Philadelphia has allowed her to set the framework in place for her plan, but in order to complete it, she needs an in with the five families. Catarina offers herself for an arranged marriage to the youngest Greco brother and future don.
Massimo Greco is a phantom, staying off the radar and out of the public eye to an impressive degree. Catarina isn’t looking forward to another arranged marriage since she’s already been through hell and back with her first one. This time around, it’s especially distasteful because of the childhood horrors she endured as a prisoner at the Greco compound. But when she finally lays eyes on Massimo, she’s shocked to see the sexy stranger who’s been stuck in her head for the last five years.
She insists the marriage is strictly a business arrangement, but Massimo wants it all. He’s been dreaming of having her in his arms again for five whole years and he’s not letting her get away again. Catarina has planned her takeover for years, plotting revenge against everyone who hurt her or turned a blind eye to her suffering. How can she fulfill it though when she starts falling for one of the targets? Her secrets threaten to tear them apart but Massimo has some of his own. Working things out between them will have to take a backseat anyway because when war breaks out, rumors fly and the Commission begins to suspect Catarina killed another don without permission. It wouldn’t be the first time and they can’t just turn a blind eye again.
Catarina is probably the most fantastic badass heroine ever and Massimo is everything she needs. His filthy mouth and utter devotion are just part of what makes him one of my favorites. I can’t say much more without being a spoiler but these two gave me a huge book hangover in the best possible way. It was days before I could look at another book. Their story is steamy and suspenseful, filled with violence and depravity in many ways but sweet and comforting in others. Siobhan Davis is a master storyteller, giving us complex, broken characters steeped in change and redemption. I loved Catarina and Massimo and everything about their story. This is a standalone set in the Mazzone Mafia world so it was great to see Ben, Sierra, Leo and Natalia. They all played important roles in Catarina’s story and especially in her salvation. This is instant favorite and one I’ll surely read again.
