She calls me Hudson... But they know me as Pete. A simple man with a common name They see the warm smile of their neighbor, Not the cold eyes of a man who kills for the thrill of it and sleeps like a baby afterward Until Starling My son’s girlfriend and my new obsession She falls into my lap like a wounded bird with broken wings Branding me with her touch, making me an addict after just one taste She thinks I’ll give her up once she gives in But she’s never met a man like me before And Forbidden Fruit was always my favorite. He calls me Birdie... But they know me as Starling. A strange girl with a pretty name I’m the orphan everyone pities A perpetual victim who has spent more time on her knees than most Until Hudson He's a monster of his own making One who crosses all my lines and pushes every limit He doesn’t want to free me; he wants to cage me And if I resist, he’ll destroy the only boy I’ve ever loved. After all, monsters don’t win hearts They steal them. Author note: There are no heroes in this story, no sweet declarations of love or hard-earned redemption arcs. But then, some girls don’t need a hero to save them; they need a villain willing to burn right along with them. **This book plays with the darker side of love, such as obsession, infatuation, and the power plays made to obtain it.** It goes without saying that this book contains dark elements that some readers will find uncomfortable. A list of potential trigger warnings can be found inside this book. Readers must be aged eighteen or over because therapy is expensive.