On his 24th birthday, Tyson receives an ultimatum: he has one year to find a wife, or his father will refuse to pass down the family legacy. Tradition demands a married heir, but settling down is the last thing Tyson wants—until a chance encounter with a captivating stranger leaves him haunted by the memory of her touch.

Tess believed her life was perfectly on track. Freshly graduated and engaged to a member of one of her town’s most prominent families, she was ready to embrace her future. But everything shatters when she walks in on her fiancé and best friend in a betrayal she never saw coming. Heartbroken, she flees without a plan—only to collide headfirst into a complication she never expected.

Tess's POV

I stood in front of a mirror looking at myself and the transformation that the team had done on me was amazing. I had always envisioned my wedding day and that I would be Cinderella and that is exactly how I felt right now. I had this big, beautiful ball gown wedding dress that sparkled under lights, and it cost more than my car and my hair was done up beautifully and my makeup was flawless. I felt like the perfect bride, and I had the perfect fiancé.

Jack and I went to the same high school growing up but we didn't start dating until our junior year of college. He was getting his business degree, and I got my nursing degree. He had always been a caring; attentive boyfriend and I had fallen so in love with him. He came from old money and was set to inherit his family's company at twenty-six. That was still three years away, but he would spend the next three years learning everything he needed from his father, Jack Sr.

The door to my suite opened and my mom walked in, and I could see the tears instantly fill her eyes. "Oh sweetie, you are the most beautiful bride I've ever seen."

"Mom, you have to say that."

"I do but I didn't have to mean it, and I do mean it. You look absolutely stunning."

"Thank you."

"I'm so proud of you. You have grown to be a wonderful person, you got your degree and now you are marrying a man that you love so much, and I know that he loves you. You seem to have beaten all the odds."

My mom was a teen mom, with parents who didn't support her decisions to keep the baby and a baby daddy who split before I was born. She worked two jobs most of my life and sometimes three. She took care of me and made sure I never lacked for anything. Her biggest wish for me was to grow up and get an education and if you think she is being emotional now you should have seen her when I graduated.

"Have you seen Sloan?"

Sloan was my best friend since college. We were roommates during our freshman year, and it was like an instant friendship. We clicked and have been friends ever since. She knows everything about me, and I love her like a sister. I don't know that Jack and I would have ever gotten together if it wasn't for her. She may have facilitated a date for us and after that it was all magic between him and I.

"No, I haven't seen her in a while." Weird I thought. She said she was just going to check on something and be back in ten minutes and now it's been thirty.

"Mom, I'm so nervous, I need you to tell me that I'm doing the right thing."

"Of course, you are doing the right thing but if you have any doubts you don't have to do this. We can get you out of that gown and walk out with no one noticing. I'm sure that it is pre-wedding jitters. Completely normal."

"No, I want to marry Jack, but my gut is just in knots. I'm sure you're right and its pre-wedding jitters."

"Just nerves darling." She said and kissed my cheek. "Ok, I'm going to go downstairs and greet guests."

She brushed out of my room and left me confused because she didn't know anyone. We were each other's family. We had no one else.

As the minutes ticked down and Sloan still wasn't in here, I decided to go and find her. It was almost time, and we were supposed to walk down there together. I opened the door of my suite and poked my head out of the door and made sure that Jack wasn't down here for some reason. He wasn't and so I slipped out the door and started walking down the long hallway.

I stopped at each door opening them. Not sure why she would be in any of these rooms, but I had no clue where she was, and I also had no clue where my phone was to call her. I wasn't able to find her on this floor and so I headed to the stairs and again made sure that Jack was nowhere to be seen and ran down to the next floor and started going through each room. This place was huge. I don't even know how Jack's parents were able to secure it, but it was like a giant castle.

When I came to the last door in the hallway, I could hear noise, but I wasn't sure what it was. That feeling I felt earlier that my mom said was nerves, got worse. I wanted to vomit right now but I grabbed a hold of the doorknob and twisted and pushed the door open.

They didn't even hear the door being opened and I stood there in complete shock watching.

"Fuck you feel so good." Jack moaned.

"Better than your fiancé?" Sloan asked.

"The prude would never let me do this."

I was torn on what to do. They had their backs to me and Sloans dress was pushed up over her hips and Jack's pants were around his ankles. Did I say something and then leave or do I just leave? Let's be real, I'm going to explode.

"What the fuck are you two doing?" I yelled and they stopped, and both slowly turned to look at me.

I was so mad that I could feel my face turning red and the tears were burning my eyes, but I wanted to kill both of them. I wanted to grab a knife and cut off Jack's gentiles and toss them at Sloan. This was the ultimate betrayal. I stood there for a second longer as both of them just stood there staring at me.

"Fuck both of you," I yelled and stormed out of there. I ran back to the stairs and right back up to my suit.

"Tess wait," I heard Sloan yell but I sure as shit wasn't going to wait around. I ran back to my suit and grabbed my bag and my phone and ran back out.

"Tess, please," Sloan said as soon as I saw her in the hallway.

"Get the hell away from me."

"No. I need to explain."

People were starting to gather around the bottom of the stairs, and they were starting to mummer. I ignored them.

"You want to explain that you've been fucking my fiancé behind my back. You've been my best friend for four years or were you just using me."

"Tess, that is enough," Jack's voice boomed and I was far from over with him.

"Get your cheating lying nasty hands off me. I'm sure they have been shoved up the slut's twat." I yelled and made sure that it was loud enough that everyone that was downstairs could hear and they got louder with their whispers.

Jack pulled on my arm and jerked my arm out of his grasp and the fact that he was trying to defend her was sickening to me and I saw red as I pulled my arm back as far as I could and let it fly making contact with his nose and hearing that crunch of the bones in his nose was a little satisfying.

"You know what, you two can have each other but watch out she has herpes."

I took a step towards the stairs when my head was jerked back by my hair and turned to see Sloan angry ready to fight but it wasn't worth it. I pulled the ring off my finger and tossed it at her. "Neither of you are worth it. I hope that you have a happy life together."

I ran down the stairs where my mom was waiting for me and her keys in her hand. Everyone was still whispering but I didn't care because I wasn't going to wait around for anything. I ran straight to the car and jumped into the front seat and my mom jumped in the driver's seat and she took off like a woman possessed.

"Tessalynn, I'm so sorry that he did that and even more sorry that Sloan did this to you, but I'm so damn proud of you for punching the cheating asshole in the face, just wish you would have done the same thing to Sloan."

I had to laugh because if I didn't, I would start crying. I also needed to get out of my dress. I reached behind me and pulled the zipper down and started to work my dress down as my mom got onto the interstate. I got the dress down and grabbed my shirt and pulled it over my head and then worked the rest of the big ass ball gown off of me.

The second my mom pulled into her driveway I jumped out of the car and jerked the dress out and headed out back. "Mom grab me the lighter fluid and a lighter." I yelled.

I dropped the dress into the fire pit in the backyard and waited for my mom and she came a few minutes later with what I wanted and a smile on her face. She approved of this. His parents had paid for everything, including this dress and now it was going to ash, just like our relationship.

I dumped half the bottle of the lighter fluid on it and then lit it on fire, and instantly a ball of fire went up, and the dress burned to nothing in just a few minutes, leaving the jewels and wires in it.

I sat on the grass on the grass and watched as the jewels started to melt and my mom sat down beside me. "What now, Tess?"

"I don't know mom. I was supposed to be saying my vows right now."

"You can move back in with me."

"I'm going to have to for a bit until I can figure things out. I'm supposed to start my job in two weeks. Maybe I can see if I can start earlier."

"Tess, we need to talk." Jack's voice boomed through the backyard.

I stood up and marched over to him ready to kick him in the balls but this time he stepped back as I got closer. "Leave me alone. I'm not doing this. You cheated and that is the end of our relationship."

"It didn't mean anything. She was an easy lay."

"Obliviously, but Jack, I don't forgive you and I won't. Leave me alone you no good lying sack of shit."

"Tess, come on, how did you not know? This is just how things go in our world. I do the nasty things to other women and then I come home and treat you like a queen. It's what my dad does, and my mom is perfectly fine with it."

"Well good for your mom and I'm not OK with it. Fuck off with your whore Jack and leave me alone. I will get my stuff tomorrow from the apartment, preferably with you gone."

"Screw you Tess, you weren't good in bed anyways, why do you think I went looking."

He walked away and I prayed that was the last time I saw him because if I saw him again, I might murder him or in the least punch him in the dick.

"Sweetie, let's go in and I will make you some food and then you can get some sleep, and we'll figure things out in the morning."

My mom really was the best ever. Always there for me but the plan going through my head was going to kill her. I couldn't stay here. I can't chance running into either of them. I was going to run; I just had to figure out where I would go.

Tyson's POV

I walked into my father's office. I knew what he wanted and I didn't want to hear it. It was a stupid rule that I didn't want to follow but I knew in order for me to take over the familia it had to be done.

"Tyson, son, sit down," he ordered as soon as I stepped through the door. You didn't not listen to him. He ran our lives with an iron fist. He had to in order to keep his position. He wasn't abusive but he could be an asshole to us kids. He demanded respect and he always got it.

"Dad, I already know what you want and I don't want to. The rule is outdated, and I don't understand why I need a wife."

The door opened and my mother walked in. She looked the part at every second of the day. I can't remember a time in my life when she was done completely up and dressed to the nines. She had a part to play as well, and she did it flawlessly. She was the perfect trophy wife, the perfect mob wife. She never questioned anything and made sure us boys stayed in line.

"A wife softens your image and makes you more likeable. Believe it or not, you are like your father in so many ways. You need a good Italian woman. You will need a heir to take over one day when you are ready to retire. It's also been tradition in our family for as long as I know. Now if you do not want to date, we can arrange something for you." She said sweetly but I knew that undertone. It was do what they say or reap the consequences. Which would be lose your spot as the leader and if that happened it would go to my brother Luca, and I know for a fact he doesn't want all the responsibility. Sure, he wants to be involved but he doesn't want all decisions to fall to him.

"I get that but why does there have to be timeline on things. I don't want to be a husband and I for sure don't want kids anytime soon."

"We don't stray from tradition," my father said in his stop arguing voice.

I stood up and just nodded at them and walked out of the room.

"I will set you up with some dates," my mom yelled as I shut the door to his office.

I left their house speeding away in my car. I was so frustrated with them. I didn't want to get married and sure as shit didn't want to be set up with dates. I could get my own dates. My phone started ringing and I hit the button my steering wheel to answer it.

"What," I growled into the phone.

"I take your meeting didn't go well." Luca my brother said.

"What the fuck do you think?"

"I'm guessing the whole marriage thing came up again."

"Ya, and mom is trying to set up dates for me this time."

"God, that makes you look desperate."

"Did you actually want something, or did you just want to gloat that you don't have to find a fucking wife."

"Ya, we're going out tonight. Be ready at nine."

"Where are we going?"

"Alex picked up a fight tonight."

"When is he going to stop that shit?"

"He's not. I'll pick you up."

I hung up with him went back to penthouse apartment. I had bought it when I was twenty and it was my safe place. It had four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The kitchen was top of the line everything, even though I don't use it. It was done in blacks and greys matching my mood most of the time. I was set to be the next Don, I had to have a level of moodiness, and I had to be a leader, and I couldn't back down from a fight.

I had my own parking garage at my apartment, one of the many other perks of this apartment complex. I had three other vehicles parked in here. I had my blacked-out SUV and a bike and a Bugatti Divo plus the car I was driving today. I didn't drive my Bugatti very often, but I did love it.

I walked into my apartment and went straight to my kitchen and grabbed a beer from the fridge and downed half of it in one drink. I should skip the drink and hit the gym before we went out but I was pissed at my parents right now.

Three hours later Luca was sitting on my couch yelling at me to hurry the fuck up. I got sidetracked working after I downed my beer and so now, I was late getting ready. I had thrown on a black t-shirt and my favorite pair of dark jeans and hurried up and laced up my boots. I grabbed my leather jacket and favorite watch and headed down the stairs as I put my watch on.

"OK, let's get out of here."

"Great, we're taking our bikes tonight."

I didn't argue with him over it. I had planned on drinking tonight, but I would have to limit it if I was riding my bike. I grabbed my keys, and we both headed to my garage. My brothers all had the code to get in here so they could park easily.

We weaved in and out of traffic headed to the shed. It was an old packing shed that they had turned into an underground world. If you wanted to gamble, fight, race, find hookers, or anything else this is where you went. You could find drugs in ample supply and anything else you could want. They've paid the cops off, so they never come out here. In fact, it's not uncommon to find cops in full uniform walking around drinking and gambling or looking for a woman for the night.

The Slate family ran it and while they weren't part of the same world as we were they were royalty in their own right. They had taken what their father had left them which was this piece of property and turned it into a million. Mason was the oldest and also mean as fuck and didn't put up with anyone's shit. I've watched him shoot someone for lying to him and then there is Gey who is the middle child and he kept things running smoothly, making sure everywhere was staffed and people were happy and then there was Sam AKA Samantha and while she was drop dead gorgeous and slutty she was also incredible smart and a lot of the different areas of the place had been her idea. She makes sure that business is booming and is always coming up with ideas.

We pulled in and parked our bikes in the back where the Slate family parked. We knew they would be safe here and we went inside through the back door. The security guard just nodded at us, and we headed straight towards the fighting area. I never could understand why Alex had this need to fight. He has always been this way. Him and Asher were twins and while the two were incredibly close, like almost sickly so from the rumors I've heard but Alex was always looking to bash someone face in and Ash was more reserved and liked to sit back and watch people. Don't underestimate him though because he could hold his own with Alex and would whip anyone in a fight.

As soon as we stepped through the door to the arena where the fights were held the music assaulted my ears and the lights were flashing around. I squinted with the lights and pushed my way through the crowd of people, making our way to the locker rooms they had here.

"Hey, you guys came," Alex said as Asher wrapped his hands up.

"Ya and you better not disappoint us." I said joking and he just grunted at me.

We kind of just stood around and watched as Asher pumped him up for his fight, not that he needed it. He seemed to have some built up rage inside of him. He was born that way.

"Alex, you're next," someone yelled through the doorway. He jumped up and down a few times and then ripped his shirt over his head and headed towards the door. Ash followed right behind him while Luca and I were behind him.

As soon as he opened the door the noise rang in my ears as people screamed and the music blared. Alex walked to the entry way and started bouncing on his feet as he waited for the announcer.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have the Great Alex in the house tonight. You know him as the enforcer." he yelled and music started to play, and the crowd went even crazier.

He walked out waving his hands in the air and pound on his chest and held the cocky arrogant attitude that he was known for. He fed into the crowd that was cheering him on. As the music cut the announcer introduced the man, he was fighting the crowd booed and I know that made his ego go through the roof.

"Dancing time boys," he said before Asher popped his mouthpiece in and he hopped into the ring.

There were no rules in these fights, beside don't kill each other but if someone died it wouldn't be first time that happened. I watched as Alex jumped around the ring egging on his opponent. It worked and he struck first and that is all that it took because then Alex laid into him and landed punch after punch while the guy got maybe in two in before he went down and was out cold.

The crowd got even louder as Alex danced around taking his victory like ego driven fool he was. I turned to Luca, "let's get a drink while we wait for this fool to come down from his egotistical high."

"We might die of alcohol poisoning before that happens."

We both laughed and pushed our way back through the swarm of people and headed to the closest bar. We both got a beer and when I went to turn around to find a quieter spot I ran straight into Sam. Her hand ran up my stomach and landed on my chest.

"Hey handsome, haven't seen you in a while." she purred.

"Alex had a fight tonight."

"I know I watched. I think I'm going to have to change betting on him. Not who will win but how many punches can the other guy get in on him before he knocks them out."

I threw my head back laughing because she wasn't wrong. He hadn't lost a fight yet and I'm sure that she was losing money and that was something that they didn't like.

"Why don't we leave here and go somewhere quiet."

"No thanks. I'm here with my brothers tonight."

She looked over to Luca and back to me with a devilish smile on her face and I knew what was going through her head. "He can come too."

"Ya, I don't do that shit and if I wanted you," I said grabbing her hand and pulling it off of me, "I would be the one inviting you."

"You're no fun. Your other brothers are way more fun, and I promise they would take me up on the offer." She said as if trying to make me jealous because that would make me want to go with her.

"So go find them."

I stepped around her and left her there and wiped my hand on my pants. The girl truly was slutty, but I didn't need rumors about my brother confirmed.

"Come on, I'm sure we can find you a nice Italian girl here," Luca said and I punched him in the shoulder and glared at him. Any woman I met here is not something I would ever take home.

Tess's POV

The next morning, I got up early and went to the apartment complex that Jack and I lived at. I didn't see his car in our assigned spots. I told him I was coming here today, and I was praying that he wasn't going to be here. I just wanted my clothes and a few other things.

When I walked into our apartment it finally hit me. I had been so angry about everything that I hadn't broken down and cried, until now. Seeing our engagement photos hanging on the walls and how in love I am with this man. Grabbing one of the photos off the wall to anyone looking at it, we looked like we were in love but when I studied Jack's face, I could see it. He might be looking at me and smiling but his eyes gave it away. He wasn't in love. I was an obligation he had to his parents. They expected him to get married and take over the company and I was easy to convince, and I was dumb enough that I didn't figure it out.

I threw the picture on the floor, shattering the glass and wiped my face and went to our bedroom. I grabbed my suitcase and started piling my clothes in it. It didn't take long to fill up. I wouldn't be taking everything with me because tomorrow I was out of this god forsaken state.

I had filled three suitcases with stuff and dragged them down to my car. I went back up once last time to make sure that I had everything I wanted and what was left Jack could deal with.

When I got back out to my car, the spot next to mine had a car parked in it. I groaned because it was one of three people and when the person stepped out, I groaned again not wanting to deal with her.

"Tessalynn, what are you doing?" She snapped at me.

"I'm leaving Mrs. Wellington."

"Jack is at my house just sick about this." She said and I just had to shake my head because I am sure he isn't. I'm sure he's somewhere nursing a hangover in some girl's bed or probably Sloans bed.

"I don't owe you anything. I sure as shit don't owe him anything. He wasted four years of my life, I'm just thankful that I found out what lying piece of shit he is before I actually married him."

"Watch it, that is my son, and you embarrassed my family enough yesterday."

"No Judy, your son did that," I yelled at her. I had never called her by her first name. I wouldn't be the proper southern belle if I did that. Well, I'm fucking done being the good girl they think that I am.

"If you refuse to make this right, this is for you."

She handed me an envelope, and she stood there with the perfect posture, and her perfect hair and makeup and it was only seven in the morning. I ripped the envelope open and pulled out a bill for fifty thousand dollars.

"What the hell is this?"

"You're half of the wedding."

"I'm not paying for shit." I said and shoved the bill into her chest, but she didn't take it from me, and it fell to the ground.

"If you don't pay, I will go after your mother for it."

"Leave her alone and you are the one that wanted that shit. You booked everything and your son ruined it. I'm not paying for it."

I got in my car and sped off. I watched her in my rearview mirror as her driver got out and opened the door for her. It honestly made me sick that I thought I wanted to be a part of that family.

When I pulled back up to my mother's house I went inside, and she was up sitting on the couch drinking coffee. I hadn't told her I was leaving yet but I guess now was better than ever because after my run in with his mom, I knew it was just going to keep happening.

I went and sat down on the couch and rested my head on her shoulder. "It's going to be alright sweetie. I know it feels like the world is ending, but it's going to be alright."

"I know and mom I don't know how to tell you this because you've been my everything. You are the best mom in the entire world but," I hesitated as my mouth went dry and it was hard to tell her this.

"I know honey, you are leaving and I have something for you."

She made it so much easier for me, and I didn't have to actually tell her. She knew, like she always did. I swear this woman was a mind reader or something.

She reached over to the table and handed me an old coffee can. I opened it up and it was full of cash. I instantly handed it back.

"Mom, I don't need this."

"Yes, you do. Take and get the hell out of this town."

"I really don't need this. We had been saving money for a down payment on a house. He didn't want to use his parent's money for things like that. Said we had to prove to the world we deserved to have everything, and I respected that and I still do, but we had savings account together and we had our separate accounts. I may have went last night and taken half of that savings account."

She started laughing and I had to join her. It wasn't really that funny, but I think the whole situation was just so much that all we could do is laugh.

"I'm leaving today," I finally said after our laughter calmed down.

"Ok, well let's get your stuff packed and get you ready." she said with a confidence that I wish I could feel. I was scared and I was leaving not knowing where I was going but I wanted someone far away from here and I wanted the beach, so I was thinking California.

Three days later I pulled up to the first beach in California that I found. I wasn't sure which town I was in honestly and I really didn't care. It was warm and had a beach and for the first time in three days I felt at peace. Things felt right and I felt like this is where I was supposed to be. I got out of my car and walked down to the shoreline and kicked off my shoes and pulled my pants up and put my feet in the water. The warm water lapped around my feet, and I relaxed just a little.

I snapped a picture of my feet in the water and sent it to my mom. Her reply was instant, with a smiley face emoji.

I spent several hours before I left and found a cheap hotel and got a shower and ordered some food. I grabbed my laptop while I waited for food. I had to find a place to live and a job.

I found several different places to apply for a job. I had my nursing licenses and so I started there at hospitals and then moved onto restaurants. I knew that they would be faster and I needed income coming in. Then I moved onto apartments, and they were spendy in this area. Everything was to be honest with you, but I would figure it out.

It only took me two days to find a job waiting tables at a high-end place. It was always packed, which was good because I made great tips and I had first round interviews set up at a hospital in town. They had several openings.

I walked into work, and my apron was thrown at me instantly. "Tess, can you handle the back room tonight?" my manager asked.

"I think so."

"Good because Sofie called out and I need you back there."

I just nodded at him and started getting everything I needed. "Go, they are important clients. I need you to turn on that southern charm."

I took a deep breath and headed to the back room. I could hear multiple deep voices back there when I got close but the one right before I entered made my legs a little weak. It was deep and so authoritative. He was commanding the whole room. Everyone was listening to him. I smoothed back my ponytail and made sure my shirt was tucked in and pulled the curtain back and walked inside the room like I owned it.

Ten men's heads all turned to me and God they were all hot. I wish I knew who these men were. They were all large and packed with muscles and tattoos. All of them had them in various locations.

My face blushed and a few men chuckled and I had to shake my head to clear the dirty thoughts out of my head, because right now I was thinking about being the main course and good god I never had thought about being with more than one man at a time. In fact, I had only been with two men my entire life but right now, if one of them suggested for me to lay on the table I would in a heartbeat.

"I'm Tess and I'll be your waitress tonight. Can I get you started with anything to drink?"

One guy there had a small black eye, and he looked at one of the guys who looked identical to him. "Where you from, beautiful?"

"I just moved here from Georgia."

"That accent is pretty."

"Thank you."

"How about a round of you?" he asked and my face heated to that of an overripe tomato.

"Alex, knock your shit off," the man at the head of the table scolded him and God it was the man talking before I entered with the voice. He commanded the room, and he was the one in charge but looking at all the men several of them had to be related because they looked so much alike.

"Give us a bottle on your top shelf whiskey."

"Yes, sir," I said and the man shifted in his chair from my formality.

"You can leave now," he scolded and I quickly turned on my heel and ran out of the room and went and put their order in.

As soon as I pulled the curtain shut, they all started laughing but the man at the head of the table growled at them to shut up.

I moved away as fast as I could and went straight to the bar and ordered their whiskey and then went and got glasses and wasn't sure if they wanted ice or not. I went without since they wanted the whiskey. I grabbed enough glasses for them and headed back into the room.

The room went silent as soon as I walked in and I felt like an intruder. All eyes were on me, and I slowly walked around the room and placed a glass in front of all of them.

"Are you gentlemen ready to order, or would you like some more time?" I asked, looking at the man at the head of the table. His eyes were so dark and daring and there was something about him. I wanted to know his name. I wanted to know what it felt like to scream it while he was between my legs.

"We're ready," the man that was hot as sin said. God, I needed to know his name and a picture would be even better.

They all took their turns ordering and I wrote things down as quickly as possible and prayed that I didn't get this wrong.

"Will this be one check or separate checks?" I asked before I went to put their order in. It was easier if I could do it now.

"One," the man at the head of the table growled at me again and I wanted to see if I could get under his skin again.

"Yes, sir. I will get this put in right now."

It worked and he shifted in his seat and his face flushed just slightly. I gave him a small smile and winked at him letting him know I could see what that was doing. I had a feeling I was playing a dangerous game but God he was hot and totally worth it.

I walked out of the room and took a deep breath because right now I don’t know what has come over me. I’ve never had thoughts like I was right now, and I’ve never flirted like this before. I was more reserved and polite. Maybe this was the change I needed, maybe this could be the new me.