Inaya has spent her entire life chasing perfection to bury the guilt of a truth that cost her father his freedom. Every achievement, every milestone, was meant to prove that his sacrifice was not in vain. Love was never part of her plan. Stability was. Control was. That is, until desire blindsided her in the one place she never expected: her workplace.
Falling for her boss was not just forbidden. It was reckless. Yet Anthony Smith gave Inaya everything she never knew she was missing: passion, protection, and a future that finally felt safe. For the first time in her life, Inaya believed she had it all.
Anthony Smith came to Philadelphia from California for a career-changing promotion. Getting involved with Inaya broke every rule, yet walking away from her was impossible. So he does what he does best and creates an illusion. A perfect relationship hidden from their employer. A flawless future built on half-truths. And a life in California that Inaya knows nothing about. Because if she ever uncovers the truth, the fantasy they have built will shatter beyond repair.
Knox Henderson knows betrayal all too well. A known member of Philadelphia's most notorious gang, GMM, Knox learned the hard way that loyalty has limits. Betrayed by the people he trusted most, he served eight years in prison and came home colder, sharper, and determined to never give his heart away again. All he wants now is peace, money, and distance from his past. Love is not on his radar, until Inaya walks into his world and changes everything.
