ODETTE

They call me the baby of the family. Sweet little Odette. The innocent one who needs protecting.

They have no idea.

My mother trained me to be a weapon—nine years of learning poisons, manipulation, and the art of making everyone underestimate me. When my family trades me to the Irish mob in an arranged marriage, everyone pities me. Poor Odette. Sacrificed for an alliance.

But I'm not a sacrifice. I'm a spy.

My mission is simple: marry Cillian O'Brien, learn his secrets, and report back to New Orleans. I've spent my whole life preparing for a moment like this. I can handle one charming mob prince with pretty green eyes and a dangerous smile.

What I can't handle is the way he looks at me. Like he sees through every mask I've ever worn. Like he likes what's underneath.

I was supposed to destroy him. I wasn't supposed to fall for him.

CILLIAN

Everyone thinks I'm the golden boy. Charming. Easy. Harmless.

They're wrong.

I've been running half my family's operations since I was twenty-five, hiding my intelligence behind dimples and a quick smile. When my father arranges my marriage to some Augustine princess, I expect a scared little lamb I'll have to protect.

What I get is Odette.

She plays innocent beautifully—the wide eyes, the nervous smile, the trembling hands. But I see through her act within hours. This woman isn't afraid of anything. She's cataloging exits, reading the room, playing everyone around her like chess pieces.

She's magnificent.

I should be threatened. I should be suspicious. Instead, I'm obsessed. I want to strip away every layer of her mask until I find the real woman underneath. I want to be the one person she doesn't have to pretend with.

She came to spy on my family. She's going to stay because she's mine.

When a traitor threatens to destroy everything they've built, Odette and Cillian must choose: protect their secrets or protect each other.