1 Chapter 1

"Once you sign this contract, there's no turning back."

The tapping of his pen on the table was in sync with my bouncing knee. My palms were as sweaty as the back of my neck. I was beyond ready to seal the deal we'd finally worked out after four hours of negotiations. The distorted life I'd been a puppet in had crumbled beyond repair, and signing my life over was the only hope I had for redemption.

It was the only way I'd get my revenge. "I understand."

The hard blue eyes sitting across the table stared at me intently. They held pity, but like everyone else, Riley knew the demon inside of me. I'd grown up the quiet, mysterious one, hiding behind the monster who wanted to mold me into his successor.

But I never wanted to fit into his cookie cutter mold, and she didn't want that either. She had faith I'd break the chains and become a better man.

A man that might be able to escape the hell hole she selfishly brought me into.

I didn't see it that way, though. Protecting and saving her was my purpose, and I failed miserably. If only she knew how sorry I was. The constant ache deep in my soul was a painful reminder every damn day.

"When the job is done, you'll need to relocate within a twelve-hour time period. Can you manage that?"

Nodding, I placed the tip of the pen to the paper, a tremor shaking through my hand. This wasn't supposed to be a hard decision. They offered me nearly everything I wanted. Erasing my revolting past to give me a second chance.

I wanted the new name.

I needed the new beginning.

Because the miniscule amount of good buried deep inside of me was clawing through the ugliness, desperate for a chance to rise above the pain and suffering I'd kept locked away.

"You can take some time to think about it, but I'm afraid this is going to be your best option."

Closing my eyes, her pale, lifeless face flashed in my memory. Remembering the icy feeling when I touched her cheek, her dark hair stuck to her forehead from the salty water she'd been dumped in when I found her lying on the shore of the ocean. The glassed-over look in her lifeless eyes haunted my dreams, never fading when I woke.

The vision was what I needed to fuel my hatred. He was going to pay for taking her from this world before it was her time. If meeting my maker with blood on my hands was the price to pay, it would be worth it.

I'd avenge every damaged soul my father had stolen for his narcissistic empire.

My trembling hand turned into rage, scribbling my name across the dotted line with force. "I don't need time to think about it."

Riley's jaw tightened as he watched me toss the pen on the table. "Congratulations. Welcome to the good side." Standing, he straightened his sport coat and rebuttoned it, leaving me alone under the single spotlight in the empty room.

The good side.

There was no good side.

At least not yet.