Catherine Santoro was born into a powerful mafia family. As the daughter of Cesare Santoro, a ruthless mob boss, her life has always been carefully managed and controlled by her father. But for a fleeting moment, she tasted freedom in the arms of Kieran Karakatsanis, her own bodyguard—a man who promised to protect her from the darkness of their world and who became the first man she ever loved.

Five years ago, everything shattered. Kieran was ambushed by a rival gang and Catherine was told he was dead, a casualty of their world’s brutal games. She mourned him, even as her father forced her deeper into a life she never wanted.

But Kieran didn’t die.

Now known as "The Ghost," Kieran has risen to power as the ruthless leader of the Valente crime family, his heart hardened by years of betrayal and violence. When he storms Catherine's rehearsal dinner and kidnaps her, she’s thrust into a nightmare of his making—a prisoner in his opulent mansion, paraded as both a trophy and a pawn in his war against her father.

As Kieran flaunts his dominance, Catherine is forced to confront the man he has become—a cold, merciless kingpin whose cruelty leaves her reeling. Yet beneath his calculated violence, glimpses of the man she once loved emerge, igniting a dangerous tension neither can ignore.

Catherine fights to escape her captor, but her defiance only fuels Kieran’s twisted obsession. He blames her for his fall, yet she becomes the one thing he cannot destroy. As their shared past collides with their volatile present, they’re drawn into a dark dance of hatred and desire.

Reunited after so many years of lies, betrayals and violence, they’ll have to decide: will they destroy or save each other?


The Mafia’s Captive

*Five years ago…*
The gymnasium sparkled with fairy lights and glittering streamers, a picture-perfect scene plucked straight from a teenage dream. Catherine moved gracefully across the dance floor, her bordeaux-colored gown catching the light as Callum twirled her around. He smiled at her, charmin...

Chapter 1: The Ghost

Chapter 2: Memories

Chapter 3: Did you cry for me?

Chapter 4: The mafia princess

Chapter 5: Monster

Chapter 6: Hairpin

Chapter 7: Slaughterhouse

Chapter 8: What do I have to lose?

Chapter 9: Dinner for two

Chapter 10: Withdrawal

Chapter 11: Two prom dates

Chapter 12: Functionally sedated

Chapter 13: Allegra

Chapter 14: The call

Chapter 15: Errand boy

Chapter 16: Breaking point

Chapter 17: Scars

Chapter 18: Dangerous places

Chapter 19: Promises

Chapter 20: Pearly pink

Chapter 21: What’s their deal?

Chapter 22: Highest bid