Prologue

PROLOGUE

VINNIE

T he ballroom is buzzing with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of champagne glasses. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting sparkles over the elegantly dressed attendees. I stand near the entrance, greeting guests and keeping a watchful eye on the room. This event is crucial for the family's public image—and for my own plans.

I scan the crowd, pausing here and there on familiar faces. Politicians, businessmen, socialites—all here to support a good cause. The Raven's Wings Foundation is a noble effort, dedicated to funding blood cancer research and treatment. It's a legitimate cause, which makes my presence here all the more important.

Then I see her.

Raven Bellamy. The founder of the foundation, my sister's sister-in-law, and the woman who's captured my attention—my love—more than I can allow myself to admit. She's standing near the stage, talking to a small group of admirers. Her short dark hair, barely grown out after her battle with cancer, catches the light and frames her face in a way that's both striking and delicate.

She's beautiful. Not in the conventional, long-haired, magazine-cover way, but in a way that speaks of strength and resilience. Her dark eyes shine with a light that's hard to ignore, her smile genuine as she speaks to her supporters. There's something about her, something raw and real, that pulls me in.

Has pulled me in since the first time I laid eyes on her over a month ago, when her head was covered in dark peach fuzz. My heart beats faster in her presence, and my groin tightens. I can hardly breathe as images of devouring those full pink lips invade my mind. They were the softest and sweetest lips I've ever kissed.

I draw in a breath and walk toward her, the need to be close to her nearly overwhelming me.

I should stay away. I promised to stay away.

But damn…

I weave through the crowd and nod at people I mostly don't recognize. After all, I've only been back in this country a couple months. When I reach her, she's just finished her conversation and turns to face me.

"Vinnie," she says, her voice warm and inviting, as if what transpired between us never happened. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Raven." God, her lips. They glisten with a silvery effervescence. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Congratulations on the event."

"Thank you," she says, her gaze locking onto mine. "It means a lot to have your support."

For a moment, we stand there, the noise of the ballroom fading into the background. I'm struck by the depth in her eyes, the unspoken stories they hold. She's been through hell and back—part of it due to me—yet she stands here, a pillar of strength.

Does she remember what we shared?

What we said to each other?

Is her heart breaking like mine is in this moment—this moment when we must pretend to be mere acquaintances?

"I have to admit," I say, leaning in slightly, "I'm impressed by what you've accomplished. The foundation, your journey… It's inspiring."

Her smile widens, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "That means a lot coming from you."

Does it?

Or is this part of the show?

Before I can respond, an amplified voice interrupts us.

"May I have your attention please."

I look toward the front of the ballroom where a man stands at the podium. Raven's father, Austin Bellamy, dressed like the Texas rancher he is. At first glance, his black tuxedo and crisp white shirt seem like normal cocktail attire, but the bolo tie with the turquoise gemstone slide shows his roots.

"Thank you all for coming this evening to our gala in support of my daughter's new foundation, Raven's Wings. We won't take up a lot of your time, but it's only proper that the founder herself say a few words. Come on up here, sweetheart."

Raven waves to me and makes her way through the crowd to step up to the microphone. The room falls silent, all eyes on her.

"Good evening, everyone," she begins, her voice clear and strong. "Thank you all for being here tonight and for supporting the Raven's Wings Foundation for the research and treatment of blood cancers. This foundation is incredibly personal to me, and I'd like to share a bit of my story with you." She pauses and scans the room. "A few years ago, I was diagnosed with leukemia. It was the most terrifying moment of my life. The uncertainty, the pain, the endless treatments—it was a battle I wasn't sure I could win. At first, I was overwhelmed by fear and despair. The thought of losing my life, of leaving my loved ones behind, haunted me day and night."

The audience is silent, hanging on her every word.

"I remember the nights spent in the hospital, staring at the ceiling, wondering if I would ever see another sunrise. Each day was a struggle, not just physically but emotionally and mentally. The treatments were brutal. There were days I couldn't get out of bed, days I wanted to give up. But through it all, I found strength in the love and support of my family. They were my rock, my reason to keep fighting."

She takes a deep breath, her eyes glistening with emotion.

"My brother Falcon was my greatest support. When the doctors said the traditional treatments for my type of leukemia had failed and that I needed a bone marrow transplant, he was the only match out of three brothers and a twin sister. Without a second thought, he stepped up and gave me the ultimate gift."

Without a second thought? Raven's need got him an early release from prison, though I understand why Raven isn't mentioning that fact. Everyone here knows anyway.

"His bone marrow saved my life. His selfless act cured me, and I stand here today, cancer-free, because of him. Falcon, thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Across the room, I see Falcon Bellamy stand up and nod at his sister. He looks good in a tux, but it's so odd seeing him in anything other than ranch wear. My own sister, Savannah, is beaming next to him in a midnight-blue gown.

The audience applauds, some wiping away tears.

"But our journey didn't end there," she continues, her voice gaining strength. "Surviving cancer gave me a new purpose. I knew I had to give back, to help others facing the same battle. That's why I founded the Raven's Wings Foundation. Our mission is to fund research and provide treatment for blood cancers, to give hope to those who need it most."

She pauses, looking around the room, her gaze firm and determined.

"I want to share a moment that changed my perspective during my treatment. The night after the transplant, I should have been ecstatic, but I was feeling particularly low. I was tired of the pain, the uncertainty. I felt like I was losing myself. My brother Falcon sat beside me, held my hand, and told me that it was okay to be scared, that it was okay to feel weak. He reminded me that being strong doesn't mean never feeling fear or pain—it means pushing through despite those feelings. It was in that moment that I realized strength isn't about never falling. It's about getting back up every time you do."

I can almost hear the words in Falcon's voice. He was speaking about his time behind bars. According to Savannah—now Falcon's fiancée—he learned that survival on the inside depended on internal as well as external strength.

The room is silent. I look around at the awed faces. Everyone seems captivated by Raven's words.

"This foundation is not just about finding a cure. It's about supporting patients and their families, about providing hope and strength to those in the darkest moments of their lives. Tonight, your generosity will help us continue this vital work. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can give hope to those who need it most."

She steps back from the microphone and the room erupts in applause. As she makes her way down from the stage, she catches my eye and smiles.

As the applause dies down, I know two things for certain.

One—I've given up Raven Bellamy for her own good, but I'll never love another.

And two?—

I will kill a man tonight to protect her.