The Clans Series by Elizabeth Knox, Iris Sweetwater

Salvatore My best friend asked me to marry his sister...so I did everything I could to ensure it. I've been after Aria Funar for years, wanting her by my side, craving that woman and her spirit. Over the years I had watched her grow up and turn into the woman she's become. After a traumatic event happened to Aria, her father branded her as damaged, irrelevant, she was deemed useless to him... moreSalvatore My best friend asked me to marry his sister...so I did everything I could to ensure it. I've been after Aria Funar for years, wanting her by my side, craving that woman and her spirit. Over the years I had watched her grow up and turn into the woman she's become. After a traumatic event happened to Aria, her father branded her as damaged, irrelevant, she was deemed useless to him. Now, and only now am I worthy of marrying his daughter - because the tragic things that have happened to her ultimately brought her down to my level in her father's eyes. She isn't this broken little thing, and seeing the demons she battles every day destroys me. I made a promise to Aria, that I wouldn't allow anything to ever harm her again. I'm not a good man, in fact I'm the exact opposite. I'm a monster, but I'm her monster. less

Rhys I owed Mariana so much. I’d betrayed not only her, but The Clans—my country, my people; my own flesh and blood. With so much lost because of me, when Mariana gave me a chance at redemption I was quick to take it. I was needed in the Ukraine, and so I went. But now a vicious woman named Vera is throwing me off my game, and, despite all my preparations and all of my research, I knew nothing of this woman. She was a ghost—a nightmare—appearing from thin air to complicate things... moreRhys I owed Mariana so much. I’d betrayed not only her, but The Clans—my country, my people; my own flesh and blood. With so much lost because of me, when Mariana gave me a chance at redemption I was quick to take it. I was needed in the Ukraine, and so I went. But now a vicious woman named Vera is throwing me off my game, and, despite all my preparations and all of my research, I knew nothing of this woman. She was a ghost—a nightmare—appearing from thin air to complicate things. Over time, however, I began to know her for what she was: a thug, a woman lost in her own mind, nothing but a street rat. How on earth could I be expected to work with such a woman; what happens when you have to barter with someone like that? I owed Mariana so much, and, though I knew nothing of her, she knew enough about me to make that impossible. She knew that I would sooner die than go back on my word. All too quickly I’m being taught a valuable lesson by Vera: “love is war.” less

Bethany I changed every part of myself for him. At first, I thought it was because I loved him. Eventually, I realized that what he did to me was the most disgusting form of emotional abuse. He made me feel as if the authentic parts of me were wrong - that I was ugly. One night, after I had been through hell I ran to my best friend Natasha's house. I wanted the comfort of my best friend, to hold me and tell me everything would be okay... moreBethany I changed every part of myself for him. At first, I thought it was because I loved him. Eventually, I realized that what he did to me was the most disgusting form of emotional abuse. He made me feel as if the authentic parts of me were wrong - that I was ugly. One night, after I had been through hell I ran to my best friend Natasha's house. I wanted the comfort of my best friend, to hold me and tell me everything would be okay. What I got was something else entirely, and his name is Leon Gabor. I just didn't know I'd be hearing his name for the rest of my life. less

Isabella I've never been the type to get on the wrong side of the law until the day I did. I was given two options, to either go to jail for a very long time or become an agent for the CIA. I'm unlike any other agent, though. Most of my colleagues don't have families like I do. You see, I'm Romanian and the purest of blood flows through my veins. Since time has passed I believe I was targeted because of who I know... moreIsabella I've never been the type to get on the wrong side of the law until the day I did. I was given two options, to either go to jail for a very long time or become an agent for the CIA. I'm unlike any other agent, though. Most of my colleagues don't have families like I do. You see, I'm Romanian and the purest of blood flows through my veins. Since time has passed I believe I was targeted because of who I know. Otherwise I wouldn't have been sent on this mission, to take down Franco Falcone of the New York Crime Family. There's just one problem, my mission requires me to act like I'm interested in him. If my heart didn't belong to another this could be easy, but it isn't because my heart belongs to Marcellus Baptiste. less