Scarlett When Cristiano Grigori came for me, he didn’t come alone. He brought his army to kill the soldiers at my door and took me for himself. He put his ring on my finger and marked me as mafia property. His property. My brothers thought they had wiped out the Grigori family, but Cristiano is very much alive. And he has one purpose. Revenge. Cristiano The De La Cruz brothers were pawns to my real enemy. They were nothing but foot soldiers. Killing them was easy enough. Taking their sister, well, that’s another story. And she doesn’t know the half of it. Scarlett is mine. My bride. My pawn. She’s the daughter of a once-powerful Cartel King. And through her I will flush out the rest of the rats who sought to wipe out the Grigori name. Keeping her is just a bonus.

Scarlett Cristiano is my enemy. He’s also the only man with whom I’ve ever felt safe. Protected. But I have to remember that he married me with one purpose in mind. Revenge. I would be the bridge to his real enemies. I can’t let myself forget that he isn’t the hero of this story. His hands are covered in blood. I saw that with my own eyes. Cristiano I thought I knew Scarlett’s past, but I didn’t know anything. I thought I knew the worst of monsters, but I hadn’t seen anything yet. Sometimes you have to lie to yourself to survive. Sometimes it’s those closest to you who will bury their knives in your back. Too many times it’s the innocents who pay for your mistakes. For your refusal to see. I can’t let Scarlett pay for mine. But I may be too late to stop it.

Five years. That’s how long it took me to find her. Five years after my world shattered, leaving me a scarred and broken man. By then, the girl I knew was gone. In her place stood a woman. One who looked like an angel. An impossible, beautiful angel. I killed for her. Soaked my hands in the blood of those who hurt her and rescued her from hell. But hell has a way of following you. Becoming a part of you. Maybe the only part you recognize. I had every intention of bringing her home. Setting her free. I swear I did. But the men who kidnapped her all those years ago weren’t done with her yet. They’d stop at nothing to get her back. And I’d kill any man who tried to take her from me. She calls me her avenging angel. But I know the truth. I’m no angel. Because even as I tell myself I’m protecting her I know one thing for sure. I am a monster, too. No better than them. Because just like them, I’ll never let her go . Author's note: Stolen is Dante Grigori's story and although a standalone, would be better enjoyed after reading With This Ring and I Thee Take.