The Clans Series by Iris Sweetwater, Elizabeth Knox

Mariana My life changed eight years ago when my captor slaughtered my family in front of my eyes and took me as his own personal trophy. I thought they would find me – that the clans would come looking for the last remaining Vasile. They didn’t. Instead, they abandoned me like I was nothing. After being here for years, I’d learned to accept my fate – to accept the hell I was living... moreMariana My life changed eight years ago when my captor slaughtered my family in front of my eyes and took me as his own personal trophy. I thought they would find me – that the clans would come looking for the last remaining Vasile. They didn’t. Instead, they abandoned me like I was nothing. After being here for years, I’d learned to accept my fate – to accept the hell I was living. Until one day it all went to shit, my daughter was ripped from my arms, I was shot, and the man who saved me was the one I was promised to all those years ago – Ion Petran. But saving me wasn’t enough now that my parents are gone. He will have to win me over if he still wishes to be king of the clans.   Ion She’s the key to all of my success, promised to me when I was a child. She’s been missing for years, and when I find her, I’ll have everything I’ve ever wanted. I found her. Eight years of searching and I found the woman who would change my life. I expected a lot of things from her, stupidly of me, I didn’t expect to get more than I bargained for. The day she turned twenty-one she was supposed to be in my home – her captor stole that from us. He stole her from me, and he’ll pay. No one crosses me, ever. less

Anton When I was assigned the job to find out who exactly orchestrated the hit on Mariana Petran, I jumped at the opportunity. To attack the queen of the clans is an attack against us all. I was to find the man who ordered it – and I did. I also found myself a feisty redhead; something I considered a cherry on top of the sundae as I headed to her hometown to destroy the man responsible for it all... moreAnton When I was assigned the job to find out who exactly orchestrated the hit on Mariana Petran, I jumped at the opportunity. To attack the queen of the clans is an attack against us all. I was to find the man who ordered it – and I did. I also found myself a feisty redhead; something I considered a cherry on top of the sundae as I headed to her hometown to destroy the man responsible for it all. So, there I was, delivering a bloody and violent end to the scum that betrayed us when the door opens, and in walks my feisty redhead; Natasha. Natasha I came home from a wild night out with the girls and found my uncle bloodied and bruised, with a gun held to the back of his head. The man holding the gun – my boyfriend, Anton. I never thought that I would be begging for his life – doing anything that I could to save him. But he’s my family. He’s the only link I have left to my mother. Anton didn’t tell me he was in the Romanian Mob – but I never confessed I was the niece of a head clan member, or anything about my father, but we’ll get to that later. Anton named his price. I didn’t understand why, what he could possibly find valuable with taking the niece of Clan Constantin – especially when he already had me. I accepted the terms, the trade. I’d do anything to save my uncle, even if that meant sacrificing myself. Anton promised me that he wouldn’t kill my uncle, like a dumb girl I assumed that meant my uncle would live. Anton may not have pulled the trigger, but make no mistake – he killed my uncle. The loving man I’d learned to care about over the past few weeks turned into something feral – I didn’t even know the man I was falling in love with. I waited for my father, and prayed he would come for me. They didn’t even know the girl they were taking. They were clueless. less

DuncanShe was supposed to just be a job; a means to an end, but I can't help but be attracted to her...Willow Kim Adame. I was assigned to protect her—“with any means necessary”—and, at first, it seemed like a simple enough job. But she tries to disobey me at ever step, seems outright intent on making not only my job but my life as difficult as possible.And that’s not even the worst part…I was never supposed to like her, and I certainly wasn’t supposed to fall for her.But, here we are... moreDuncanShe was supposed to just be a job; a means to an end, but I can't help but be attracted to her...Willow Kim Adame. I was assigned to protect her—“with any means necessary”—and, at first, it seemed like a simple enough job. But she tries to disobey me at ever step, seems outright intent on making not only my job but my life as difficult as possible.And that’s not even the worst part…I was never supposed to like her, and I certainly wasn’t supposed to fall for her.But, here we are.WillowI never wanted anything to do with my father or his lifestyle, but he had other plans...When I lost both my mother and my boyfriend, I saw no reason to stick around; I left England as soon as I could.Running from that life, I put as much distance as I possibly could between myself and all of that. I built a life. It was a simple life, but—dammit!—it was my simple life!Until the day it stopped being quite so simple…Until the day the business space next door was rented out by a man who made my knees weak and my mind cloudy with desire. less

Elena I've learned many lessons throughout my life, but one is more important than the rest: my life is not my own. I understand this more every single day with the more actions my family commit. They've arranged for me to marry a clan leader. There's only one problem, I won't be marrying him. I'll be murdering him.

BlankaThroughout my entire life I’ve made choice after choice to land me where I am today. Nothing is perfect, and the same views can be said about life.We all struggle and wish things could be different but it simply isn’t the case. If you want anything, whether it be as simple as happiness, you must work for it.At the end of the day, that’s what landed me in this job, doing the things I do, one day hopeful it will bring me a better life.I can only hope that day comes soon... moreBlankaThroughout my entire life I’ve made choice after choice to land me where I am today. Nothing is perfect, and the same views can be said about life.We all struggle and wish things could be different but it simply isn’t the case. If you want anything, whether it be as simple as happiness, you must work for it.At the end of the day, that’s what landed me in this job, doing the things I do, one day hopeful it will bring me a better life.I can only hope that day comes soon.DavideI’m the type of man who adores women. Any chance I get, I choose to revel in their flesh against mine. Although, I’m not the type of man to ever settle down - even if the Clan demands it of me.Never have I envisioned life with a woman by my side and a baby on her hip. It’s simply never been in the cards. I prefer to go to the brothels around Europe, enjoying the company of the most exquisite, prestigious women. They may not be from prominent families, but these aren’t whores you find on the street. They’re smart, witty and gorgeous.I’d been seeing another woman at this Venice brothel, however, she went and got pregnant . . . so I’m about to meet a new woman. One of the Madame’s favorite girls, one who she tells me will change my life.I suppose we’ll see if she does. less

MikelI'm old enough to be her father, but it doesn't matter -- she'll be mine.Melody is the newest member of The Clans charity program. She's supposed to be my voice for certain issues I don't feel comfortable speaking about. After all, she's been doing this for years. Being a spokesperson is somewhat new to me, so I don't mind having a professional alongside me.She doesn't know anything about what we really do, and keeping it all a secret is becoming more difficult every day... moreMikelI'm old enough to be her father, but it doesn't matter -- she'll be mine.Melody is the newest member of The Clans charity program. She's supposed to be my voice for certain issues I don't feel comfortable speaking about. After all, she's been doing this for years. Being a spokesperson is somewhat new to me, so I don't mind having a professional alongside me.She doesn't know anything about what we really do, and keeping it all a secret is becoming more difficult every day. She's constantly around me, always listening, always needing to bring an idea to me. Typically in a shirt that hugs her tits a little too tight and her ass just to my liking.Melody doesn't know I'm lying about who I am, or rather, what I am.She thinks I'm an angel. In all actuality, I'm the exact opposite. She doesn't know it yet, but she will. Whether it be by my real job, or by my presence in the bedroom. less

BiancaI'm the princess of the Romanian Clans, the woman who will one day inherit it all. The amount of pressure on my shoulders is terrifying. There was a time when I used to care about it all. It was when I was supposed to be the perfect daughter and friend.There came a time when I realized my parents would love me no matter what. It never meant they agreed with my choices, but alas, their love would always be here for me... moreBiancaI'm the princess of the Romanian Clans, the woman who will one day inherit it all. The amount of pressure on my shoulders is terrifying. There was a time when I used to care about it all. It was when I was supposed to be the perfect daughter and friend.There came a time when I realized my parents would love me no matter what. It never meant they agreed with my choices, but alas, their love would always be here for me.I'm not your typical mafia princess-- I have tattoos, piercings, and my hair has been every color of the rainbow. I wear ripped denim jeans with fishnets underneath and tight band t-shirts. There's nothing normal about me.My fate is inevitable, one day I will inherit the Clans.My father has been trying to push a Romanian man on me for years, but I've never been keen on the idea --until now. The moment fresh blood flows through this dry desert.Now I only wonder if he'll be my demise. But, I think I already know the answer. less