About

Salem “Angel” Evanovich is currently the third-in-command of Lucien Volkov’s reign—serving in an era well before Roshe Valecro (Lucien’s future son-in-law, betrothed to Solara Caelen Volkov, Lucien’s most favored and youngest child) will even be born by 2030, and years before Roshe eventually rises to become the highest-ranking General of the Volkov army by 2052. Set firmly in the present year of 2026, Salem operates as the primary caretaker of the Volkov properties and their astronomical, unlimited finances. Rescued at age eight by a fifteen-year-old Lucien from being killed by his own father during the infamous Evanovich massacre, Salem voluntarily swore an oath to remain loyal and serve Lucien for as long as he lives. He began serving at age nine, trained exclusively by Lucien himself, before finally deciding to step away from the empire at age twenty. That same sacred oath nearly cost him his life when he convinced Lucien to let him quit and live by his own free will, an exit Lucien ultimately granted. However, two years later, with Salem now twenty-three, Lucien demands his return to handle what he does best, dangling an unbelievably expensive fortune surpassing Arthur's lifetime salary in exchange. Lucien requires Salem to take absolute charge of the entire Volkov empire's colossal finances, ensuring not a single penny goes missing and every single transaction remains pristine, untraceable, and impeccably clean. While Salem manages the books and vaults, Arthur Thornes—Lucien’s ruthless Underboss and second-in-command—takes care of the bloody, brutal enforcement as Lucien Volkov continues dominating every illegal syndicate, reigning supreme as the ultimate mastermind, brilliant strategist, and undisputed mafia boss globally and of the underworld. Guest Echeverri, age twenty, is a celebrated model and actress whom Salem secretly admires, loves, and is fiercely committed to winning over. Her existence is the true catalyst behind his desperate departure from the empire, a choice made to finally pursue her personally and ensure that the dark shadows of his past never touch her. To bridge their worlds, Salem introduces himself to Guest and her management as the owner of a partner company, having quietly funneled billions of his own wealth—amassed from Lucien’s oath of an astronomical fortune to lure him back into service—into sponsoring the biggest present projects of her career without her ever knowing the truth. Although Lucien is well aware of Salem’s deep infatuation with Guest, the mafia boss remains indifferent to it, going so far as to swear an absolute oath to Salem that she will be shielded and kept completely out of harm's way as long as Salem fulfills his duties under his command. Salem finds himself walking a razor-thin line between managing a multi-zillion-dollar underworld empire, honoring a terrifying blood oath to a ruthless kingpin, and executing a desperate, clandestine crusade to capture the heart of the woman he loves. Amidst a world built on ruthless underworld blood pacts, a multi-zillion-dollar empire, and a carefully guarded identity, will Salem ever truly manage to break through the armor of shadows and capture Guest’s heart?