Although is not strictly necessary, I recommend that before reading this book you read “in the crossfire”, there you can get to know the characters in this book better.
Dominic Corsino after his father’s death want to leave his father’s business behind, but without losing the power he has in the city. The other families think he is weakened, but soon he will prove them wrong. To begin with, he transforms his father’s casino into an arena where fights will take place. Years ago Dominic fought on the Dark Side, the illegal fighting circuit( mentioned in the Gloves Off series), so now he wants to start this business, but the fights will have rules and will not be to death. But after the death of his father and the detention of his uncles, his numbers are low, so he asks for help from the husband of his sister Layla, Bryce Chandler( assassin, FBI agent and member of the COJ). Bryce calls Connor, Micah and his brother Reed to help him( all these characters appear in other books by this author).
Faith, Layla’s best friend faces her divorce after catching her husband fucking on his desk the new lawyer on their firm, lawyer that she herself hired. Her husband wins the house and the firm after he made her sign some papers months before without telling her what they were for. Without money and homeless Layla and Dominic offer her a room in Dominic’s hotel, meanwhile Layla and her husband will investigate how to return everything she has lost. Dominic has always been attracted to her but has never taken things further bc he didn’t want to involve her in the gangster life that he led when his father lived. But now he is not going to wait any longer and as soon as he can he makes his intentions clear to Faith.
Dominic will have as his main enemies the Cartwright ( the same family that tried to harm his sister in the past) who will do whatever it takes to take everything from him, including Faith. He will have to shed his own blood to defend the honor of his family and protect the love of his life.
“Hiring you as an assistant was just to get close to you.” Her grin faded and a look of uncertainty filled her eyes. “Why?” Tension filled the air and it felt like an electric spark had just ignited between us. I stepped toward her, my body right up against hers. “For the past ten years you’ve been untouchable for me. My sister didn’t want you to be a part of our world. Not that I can blame her, but things are different now. I’m trying to do things right.” It was a lie, but I had her in my grasp … and I wanted her. I lifted a hand to her cheek and she sucked in a breath. “I’ve always wanted you, Faith. Now that you’re free I see it as a chance.” She opened her mouth to speak, but I clasped her face in my hands and kissed her.
“I take it you and Dominic are together now?” he asked, his eyes searching mine. I blew out a sigh. “We are. Does it bother you?” His jaw clenched, but he shook his head and smiled. “I knew it was bound to happen. Has he said anything about me?” Sheepishly, I nodded. “Maybe a little. Just do me a favor and don’t piss him off. I really need you to stay, Reed. It may be selfish of me, but I want you here.” He twirled me around the dance floor, and it made me laugh. Reed sighed. “As long as he keeps it that way, I’ll be fine. The second Corsino steps out of line, I’m coming straight to you. I don’t want you getting caught up.”
“I don’t have to know it all. But what I do know is that I love you. Behind that hardcore mafia boss exterior, you’re kind, respectful, and gentle with me. It’s hard to find that these days.” Her lips pulled back into a smile. “Although I do have to say that I’ve seen a side of you the past couple of days that I’ve never seen before.”She was smart, funny, adventurous, and extremely tough for a female. The only thing about loving hard was falling hard when you lost it. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked quietly. I cupped her cheeks. “Because you’re everything I’ve always wanted, and now that I have you, I’m so afraid of losing you.” She placed her hands over mine. “You won’t. I’m not afraid of your world, Dominic.” Lifting up on her toes, she kissed me. “We’re in this together.”
“I challenge the Corsino family to a fight. Winner takes all.” “All of what?” I growled. Cadoc stood and spread his arms wide. “Everything. I want the power, the money, the hotel … you name it. It’s time for the Cartwrights to take over.”Our pride, our name, and our legacy were what made the Corsinos lethal. I wasn’t about to let the Cartwrights take it away. We were going to win. One way or another, I’d make sure that happened.