Book excerpt: With Daniel gone, new threats creep into my life. My former associates are hungry for revenge, and I can feel their eyes watching me from the shadows. As the feds close in, I know I have to eliminate anyone tied to Daniel before they expose me and everything I’ve built. Carmen is right in the middle of this chaos, and it tears me apart. She’s caught between her growing feelings for me and the violent world I’m dragging her into. I can see the fear in her eyes, but I also see the fire. She’s drawn to me, and it makes the danger even more intense. The hunt begins. I will stop at nothing to protect my empire and keep Carmen safe. Every decision is a fight for survival, and I know the darkness is closing in. I’m ready to face whatever comes my way, but I can’t shake the feeling that the shadows might consume us both.