She was the girl everyone tried to avoid.
He was the out-of-towner who knew nothing about her.

Matteo didn’t look at Marie the way others did… like she was a dirty little tart.

She didn’t know much about him, not even the kind of business he was in.
But someone like him didn’t belong in her world — she knew that much.
He belonged in glossy magazines, TV, and movies.
He belonged in her dreams.

Yet somehow, he noticed her.

To her, he was a bright light in her miserable life.
Because of him, she now knew that she could be happy.

But what if he found out the truth?
What everyone in town says about her, about her mother…
Good things never really happen to someone like her, do they?

She’s finally free… or so she thinks.

Her mother is dead.
Marie was a good daughter, even if her mother never said it.
But now, she’s finally free from Ruby’s hatred and abuse.
Part of her thinks she should be dancing and singing: “Ding dong the bitch is dead!”
Instead, all she feels is the intensity of the silence in her empty house.
She needs comfort, kindness, and a little love…
And the only person she might get that from is Matteo.

She learned young that she couldn’t rely on anyone. Ever.
She thought she could make an exception for him, though.
But a strange and sudden departure sow the seeds of doubt.
She hopes her mother wasn’t right about all men.
They can’t all be lying, deceitful cheaters.
Not Matteo — her Matteo.
He isn’t only after one thing… is he?

His life for hers.

Who would want to harm a Mafia boss’s wife?
A lot of people… but who would dare?
When Matteo married her, he thought all of Marie’s suffering would be over.
He thought that would protect her.
He thought he could protect her.

But he was wrong.
Maybe someone hates her that much, they want her dead?
Or maybe someone’s trying to kill her to get to him?
Either way, he’s going to get to the bottom of it.
He’ll make sure she’s safe if it’s the last thing he’ll do.
He won’t let history repeat itself.