PREORDER Bride by Initiation (Paperback)

Welcome to The Underworld!

Even though it's cold outside, Zara's sitting in a chair, her long legs crossed and covered in goose bumps. She taps her pale-pink nails on the table, lost in whatever she's reading on her phone. And she doesn't look happy. She pins her eyebrows together, seeming anxious or maybe even upset.

Against my will, I weave through the handful of people, take off my sports coat, and put it over her shoulders.

She glances up in surprise.

I pull out the chair next to her and plop down. I grin, putting my face beside hers, and ask, "Is your world falling apart?"

She tears her gaze from mine, taking another glance at her screen, then tosses her phone into her purse. She smiles, but it's not as vibrant as before. She replies, "Usual stuff."

"Why don't I buy that?" I question, locking my gaze to hers.

She stays quiet.

My face falls, and my heart beats faster. "Zara, what's going on?"

"Nothing."

I study her closer.

"Really," she insists.

"Something's going on. I've known you forever," I remind her.

She hesitates, opens her mouth, then shuts it. She takes a deep breath and then slowly releases it.

Loud music fills the air, and I glance behind us. The few people outside disappear into the pub, and the song muffles when the door shuts.

I turn back to Zara. "It's just us, and I can keep a secret. Why do you look distressed?"

Tension grows between us, and her silence persists.

I wait her out, knowing I can usually get her to cave, but she doesn't.

Tropes:

• ☠️Dark Romance
• ☠️Secret Society
• ☠️Mafia
• ☠️Childhood Friends to lovers
• ☠️Forbidden
• ☠️First real love
• ☠️Marriage Pact 
• ☠️Daddy Issues
• ☠️Next Generation Mafia Wars 
• ☠️Meddling Families
• ☠️“It’s always been you”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "What a suspenseful, page turning must read! A dark mafia romance with lots of twists and turns! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book over 500 pages in 3 days! I was on the edge of my seat the whole book."-Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  "OMG this book has everything you expect from Maggie Cole and more. The new generation of Mafia wars, The Underworld, will blow your mind. Sean and Zara’s story is spellbinding and has you craving more. Can’t wait for the next book in the series."-Reviewer