SANCTIFIED SIN

He was sent to kill my father. I was supposed to hate him. Instead, I chose him over everything.

I knew what Dante was the moment he walked into my life.

A killer. Cold. Beautiful. Deadly.

He smiled at my father's table. Shook hands like he belonged. Looked at me like he could see straight through to my bones.

Three years ago, he left me bleeding on a warehouse floor. Left me choking on my own blood while he walked away without looking back.

Now he's back. And this time, he needs me.

The job is simple: get close to my father. Learn his weaknesses. Then put a bullet in his head.

I should turn him in. Should tell my father everything. Should watch him die for what he did to me.

Instead, I'm hiding him. Lying for him. Falling for him all over again.

Because Dante isn't just a monster. He's my monster. And I'd burn the whole world down before I let anyone take him from me.

DANTE

I don't do feelings. Don't do attachments. Don't do anything except the job.

Kill the target. Get paid. Move on.

Simple. Clean. Perfect.

Until Mikhail.

He's the son of the man I'm supposed to kill. He's my way in. My cover. My tool.

He's also the only person who's ever looked at me like I'm human.

Three years ago, I hurt him to save him. Cut his throat to keep him alive. Left him behind because staying would've gotten us both killed.

Now I'm back. And he's standing between me and my mission. Between me and everything I was trained to be.

I should complete the job. Walk away. Let him hate me.

But when he touches me, I remember what it feels like to be alive. When he looks at me, I forget I'm supposed to be empty.

And when he says he loves me, I start to believe redemption might be possible.

Even for a monster like me.

THE CHOICE

Love or loyalty. Mission or family. Survival or sacrifice.

We can't have both. We can't save everyone.

But maybe-just maybe-we can save each other.

Even if it costs us everything.