Arcadia Burns

The original novel was published in 2010.

Following the brutal deaths of her sister and aunt, Rosa Alcantara has become what she never thought possible: the very powerful head of the Alcantara clan. Saddled with this immense responsibility, Rosa must now conduct all business matters — legitimate and not — while negotiating between the greedy, bloodthirsty members of her own family. Not to mention convince them that her relationship with enemy Alessandro Carnevare won’t put the family business in danger.

But loving Alessandro comes at a high price. As Rosa continues to fall for him, she discovers the dark secrets of his family’s dealings and how they intersect with her own painful past. She wants to believe she can trust Alessandro, but they’re so different: Alcantara and Carnevare, snake and panther. How can she love someone whose family wants her dead?

When Rosa and Alessandro uncover an ancient conspiracy intent on destroying both clans, they’ll do anything to stop it. Racing to put the pieces together, evading their relatives’ murderous feud, and learning what it means to control the most influential families in Sicily — the two teens must risk everything to love each other... and to survive.