The space between them disappeared. She arched into him, tilting her head as his lips traced a slow path down her jaw, then lower.

Goodness, she wanted more.

***

Valentina De Luca was never meant to be a Caruso bride. That was her sister's role—until Alecia ran off with her fiancé, leaving behind a family drowning in debt and a deal that couldn’t be undone. Now, Valentina is the one offered up as collateral, forced into marriage with Naples’ most dangerous man.

Luca Caruso has no use for a woman who wasn’t part of the original bargain. To him, Valentina is nothing more than a replacement, a means to reclaim what was promised to him. But she isn’t as fragile as she seems. And the more their lives tangle, the harder she is to ignore.

Everything begins to go well for her, well, until her sister returns. And with her, the kind of trouble that could ruin them all.

The Mafia's Substitute Bride

Alecia woke to the soft chime of temple bells ringing somewhere nearby, their sound drifting faint but certain through the paper walls. Sunlight slipped across the tatami floor in a clean, golden line. She didn’t rush. The air held that quiet stillness unique to morning. She rose slowly, wrapping he...

Satoshi