“Good girl,” I praise you for charming a man, distracting him so I could finish my job, eliminating his boss. “You never fail to amaze me, tulip.”

You’re my wife, we’ve been married for two years.

My effortlessly beautiful girl, soft smiles, sweet words and charm all wrapped in sin.

You’re eleven years younger than me. I’m thirty one, you’re twenty.

My men—especially my second in command—Niall, still give me hell to this day for marrying a girl so much younger than me.

They’re lucky I haven’t put a bullet through their knee caps.

Darkness, blood, violence, gun shots, deals and betrayals don’t scare you—not one bit.

You walked into my life—into my world full of darkness and chaos, flipping it upside down. I’m the most feared mob boss in London and yet you—my tulip, bring me to my knees with just one look. Before I met you I had never felt anything but power, rage, control and greed.

When I first saw you in the diner you used to work in I immediately knew I had to have you—had to have you close to me. It wasn’t lust, it was something entirely different—you were the first woman to ever give me a fluttery feeling in my stomach. Strangely, it was almost as if my soul ached to be next to yours.

For the first time in my life I felt fear.

The unfamiliar feelings your mere presence stirred within me terrified me.

Before I met you, women were disposable to me. A release. Temporary distraction. I never believed in love, in my eyes love was a weakness—an unnecessary chemical reaction that people cling to because they’re lonely. I never felt loneliness. But when I met you I wanted, no, I needed you around. Much to my surprise you were just as drawn to me as I was to you.

I would burn the world to ashes to keep you safe.

The cold, ruthless monster within me never scared you away.

You get the softer, loving side that only exists because of you.

Now we stand in the middle of a grand event, business men, rich snobs, mob bosses and their wives surround us. Someone double crossed me, a deal went south and the rat responsible was attending this event, his blood now stains the marble floor.

I put a bullet straight between his eyes.

Before anyone notices, I reach for you, pulling you down with me onto the floor behind a large table, taking cover. The moment I pulled the trigger every other mob boss in this building pulled their guns out, bullets flying around the venue.

We need to get out of here. Fast. Unscathed.

Luckily I have a lot of bullets left.

“Take your heels off, tulip,” I instruct with urgency, noticing the red marks on your feet from wearing them for hours. “I’ll carry you.”