Boston’s most lethal underworld king had made an unbelievable vow: whoever could help his four-year-old son speak again would receive half of his criminal empire—and become his wife.

The reception was held at the estate, a massive, opulent party that lasted deep into the night.

I danced with Leo, twirling him around the dance floor until he was dizzy with laughter. I danced with Marcus, who grunted his congratulations but smiled warmly.

Then, Julian pulled me onto the balcony, away from the prying eyes of the syndicate.

The night air was cool, the stars shining brightly over the estate.

“We survived,” Julian said, wrapping his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

“We did more than survive, Julian,” I leaned back against his solid chest, looking out at the grounds. “We built something beautiful.”

A few months ago, I was a broken, desperate woman hiding from debt collectors in an alley. Now, I was the wife of the most powerful man in Boston, a mother to a beautiful boy, and a queen in a dangerous, thrilling world.

The path had been soaked in blood and terror, but it had led me to the one place I was always meant to be.

Julian turned me around in his arms, his dark eyes filled with absolute, unyielding love.