Blood Ties

“Marco Ricci knew nothing except lies about his life. Marco, seventeen years old, finds a secret rifle and a mysterious notepad in his father's desk, therefore destroying his cozy suburban life overnight. His father has been arrested, not just absent. The family business is structured crime rather than insurance. And the Ricci family name isn't just a name-it's a dynasty he's now expected to protect. Forced to flee his home with the protection of his father's fearsome lieutenant, Marco's life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Ellie Lia at a gas station in the dead of night. Smart and beautiful, Ellie is not only his chemistry lab partner but also his secret crush. To his shock, she is revealed to be Elena Donato, the daughter of his family's most dangerous enemy. The look they share in that pivotal moment hints that Ellie may be just as trapped in this long-standing blood feud as he is. With both families on the verge of war and his father imprisoned, Marco is faced with an impossible decision: to accept the criminal legacy he has tried to escape or risk losing everyone he holds dear. Some family secrets are written in blood-and some ties can't be broken.”