Smoke & Blood
Danielle James

I only understood darkness, murder, and loyalty.
Death over dishonor was my mantra.
After spending five years in prison for a murder I didn’t commit,
the only thing on my mind was getting out and helping my
brother run drugs through his nightclub while I worked on my
dreams.
I never expected to be blindsided by Cressida Erickson.
I hadn’t seen her since before I got locked up.
She was the same golden burst of light she’d been since middle
school.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her even though everything had
changed.
I was a monster steeped in death and chaos.
She was my brother’s wife and the mother of his only son.
I knew if I got too close to her, everything would change…
My relationship with my brother would fall apart
and I would learn quickly that blood doesn’t always make you
family.