Blood and Redemption

Francesca De Luca thought she'd left the shadows behind—until Adrian Cross emerged from the wreckage of his empire with vengeance in his eyes and a plan to resurrect the shadow council stronger than ever. But this time, the stakes are higher than just power. This time, it's personal. As Francesca and Alex race to dismantle Adrian's operations, they uncover shocking truths about her family's ties to The Architects—a centuries-old cabal manipulating global events from the shadows. Her father's sins, her mother's disappearance, and her own bloodline all point to one undeniable fact: Francesca is more connected to their plans than she ever imagined. Betrayal cuts deep when allies become enemies, and trust becomes a weapon wielded against them. Elena Varga, once a traitor, now walks a razor-thin line between redemption and ruin. And through it all, Francesca must confront the ghosts of her past—both literal and figurative. In the final showdown at a fortified estate high in the Alps, alliances will be tested, sacrifices will be made, and lives will hang in the balance. Will Francesca embrace her legacy—or destroy it entirely? Because in a world where nothing is as it seems, one truth remains certain: The shadows always demand payment—in blood.