Jennifer Gonzalez

I’ve never had a life. I’m not talking about the freedom money can buy because I have that in spades. I’m talking about the freedom a girl gets from growing up with four overprotective Del Rossa men…which is zero. Zero freedom to have a social life. Zero freedom to date. Men in this city know better than to look my way. I’m Dark Sovereign property, and everyone knows you don’t touch what belongs to the Del Rossas. To the brothers, I’m the little sister they never had. Except for Nicoli.

I would say Dr. Cruz Costello is my archenemy. But that would require acknowledging one another, which we haven’t done in more than a decade. He’s the town’s golden child. The beloved quarterback-turned-physician. I’m the girl who got knocked up at 16 and now works at a diner. He is Fairhope royalty. I get my monarch dose from tabloid gossip. He’s well-off. I’m...well, off. When our siblings get engaged, Cruz’s parents invite both families to a pre-wedding cruise. Except Cruz and I find ourselves stuck on a different ship from everyone else.

Muse told the world how she felt about me. Instead of feeling joy, I felt terror. This isn't what I want. This isn't how our relationship is supposed to be. I end things because I have no other choice. But I struggle to cope with my misery, to sleep in an empty bed without her beside me.