Once Burned by Sam Mariano

Adrian Palmetto.

Mine is a name known by every lowlife in Chicago. Mateo Morelli’s right hand man: problem-solver, hit man, chief strategist, confidante—whatever he needs, I’m his guy. Kinda funny, since I hate the bastard. At least, that’s what I’ve told myself over the last five years, serving a man I consider despicable—a man I once considered my closest friend. It’s what I had to do, if I wanted Elise. And I wanted Elise more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my godforsaken life.

Thing is, I’m free now. I don’t have to be Mateo’s guy anymore. I paid the price for Elise’s freedom and now I can start building a life with her. Only it’s not that simple. Nothing ever is in this damned family. Elise carries emotional baggage from her own time served, and Mateo’s in deep shit without me.

You’d think I would’ve learned my lesson about the evils of Mateo’s family at 8, when they ruined my life, or maybe even at 28, when they stole it. Now here I am, 33, faced with one final choice: do I escape this family once and for all, or do I dive back into the flames to save Mateo’s ass one last time?

**Recommended for readers 18+ due to violence.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a standalone. None of these are standalones. Start with Accidental Witness or suffer the consequences! (The consequence is that you’ll be really confused. No one will murder you or anything. But I don’t advise it.)**

*** It’s also strongly recommended that you read Irreparable Damage and Irreparable Lives prior to this one. This book has ALL the spoilers from that duet, so if you ever wanted to read it, you’ll want to do that before this book. ***