Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
When love and vengeance collide…
Raven Bellamy is a survivor. She stared down cancer and won, emerging stronger and more determined to savor every moment of the life she nearly lost. Whether it’s inhaling the scent of every rose or basking in each sunrise on her family’s ranch, Raven is living on her own terms.
Vincent Gallo, Jr. spent seventeen years running from a past drenched in blood. Now he’s back with a singular purpose—to destroy his mafia family from within. He’s prepared for the darkness ahead, ready to sacrifice anything and everything to fulfill his mission.
Until he meets Raven Bellamy. Her resilience, her beauty, her spirit—despite the scars of her battle—ignite a passion in him that he thought was long dead. She haunts his thoughts, turning his carefully laid plans upside down. Vinnie knows he can’t drag her into his deadly world, but he also can’t stay away.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
PROLOGUE
VINNIE
The ballroom is buzzing with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of champagne glasses. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting sparkles over the elegantly dressed attendees. I stand near the entrance, greeting guests and keeping a watchful eye on the room. This event is crucial for the family’s public image—and for my own plans.
I scan the crowd, pausing here and there on familiar faces. Politicians, businessmen, socialites—all here to support a good cause. The Raven’s Wings Foundation is a noble effort, dedicated to funding blood cancer research and treatment. It’s a legitimate cause, which makes my presence here all the more important.
Then I see her.
Raven Bellamy. The founder of the foundation, my sister’s sister-in-law, and the woman who’s captured my attention—my love—more than I can allow myself to admit. She’s standing near the stage, talking to a small group of admirers. Her short dark hair, barely grown out after her battle with cancer, catches the light and frames her face in a way that’s both striking and delicate.
She’s beautiful. Not in the conventional, long-haired, magazine-cover way, but in a way that speaks of strength and resilience. Her dark eyes shine with a light that’s hard to ignore, her smile genuine as she speaks to her supporters. There’s something about her, something raw and real, that pulls me in.
Has pulled me in since the first time I laid eyes on her over a month ago, when her head was covered in dark peach fuzz. My heart beats faster in her presence, and my groin tightens. I can hardly breathe as images of devouring those full pink lips invade my mind. They were the softest and sweetest lips I’ve ever kissed.
I draw in a breath and walk toward her, the need to be close to her nearly overwhelming me.
I should stay away. I promised to stay away.
But damn…
I weave through the crowd and nod at people I mostly don’t recognize. After all, I’ve only been back in this country a couple months. When I reach her, she’s just finished her conversation and turns to face me.
“Vinnie,” she says, her voice warm and inviting, as if what transpired between us never happened. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“Raven.” God, her lips. They glisten with a silvery effervescence. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Congratulations on the event.”
“Thank you,” she says, her gaze locking onto mine. “It means a lot to have your support.”
For a moment, we stand there, the noise of the ballroom fading into the background. I’m struck by the depth in her eyes, the unspoken stories they hold. She’s been through hell and back—part of it due to me—yet she stands here, a pillar of strength.
Does she remember what we shared?
What we said to each other?
Is her heart breaking like mine is in this moment—this moment when we must pretend to be mere acquaintances?
“I have to admit,” I say, leaning in slightly, “I’m impressed by what you’ve accomplished. The foundation, your journey… It’s inspiring.”
Her smile widens, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “That means a lot coming from you.”
Does it?
Or is this part of the show?
Before I can respond, an amplified voice interrupts us.
“May I have your attention please.”
I look toward the front of the ballroom where a man stands at the podium. Raven’s father, Austin Bellamy, dressed like the Texas rancher he is. At first glance, his black tuxedo and crisp white shirt seem like normal cocktail attire, but the bolo tie with the turquoise gemstone slide shows his roots.
“Thank you all for coming this evening to our gala in support of my daughter’s new foundation, Raven’s Wings. We won’t take up a lot of your time, but it’s only proper that the founder herself say a few words. Come on up here, sweetheart.”
Raven waves to me and makes her way through the crowd to step up to the microphone. The room falls silent, all eyes on her.
“Good evening, everyone,” she begins, her voice clear and strong. “Thank you all for being here tonight and for supporting the Raven’s Wings Foundation for the research and treatment of blood cancers. This foundation is incredibly personal to me, and I’d like to share a bit of my story with you.” She pauses and scans the room. “A few years ago, I was diagnosed with leukemia. It was the most terrifying moment of my life. The uncertainty, the pain, the endless treatments—it was a battle I wasn’t sure I could win. At first, I was overwhelmed by fear and despair. The thought of losing my life, of leaving my loved ones behind, haunted me day and night.”
The audience is silent, hanging on her every word.
“I remember the nights spent in the hospital, staring at the ceiling, wondering if I would ever see another sunrise. Each day was a struggle, not just physically but emotionally and mentally. The treatments were brutal. There were days I couldn’t get out of bed, days I wanted to give up. But through it all, I found strength in the love and support of my family. They were my rock, my reason to keep fighting.”