Alina Darrow has lived her life wrapped in luxury, privilege, and lies. The daughter of a powerful senator, she’s been protected from the world’s darkest corners—until she uncovers a secret her father would kill to keep buried.

Cassian Vale was sent to silence her. The underboss of a feared crime syndicate, he’s known for turning disobedience into dust. But something about Alina—her fire, her fearlessness—makes him do the one thing he’s never done: disobey.

He locks her away, not to kill her—but to keep her.

As her world narrows to the walls of his hidden estate, hatred turns to obsession, and fear bleeds into desire. But in this game of secrets and power, love is the most dangerous weapon of all—and the most binding.

Because silk may feel soft on the skin, but it hides blood just the same.

Role: Daughter of a powerful senator, the one who uncovers the truth


Intelligent, sarcastic, emotionally guarded


Privately rebellious, but taught to smile in public


Never truly free – but no one sees the cage


Alina was raised in a political family where appearances were everything. Her mother died when she was young – officially from illness, but rumors hinted otherwise. After that, her father turned colder, more powerful, and more controlling.


She was homeschooled by handpicked tutors, attended high-society galas, and was constantly watched. Despite her luxurious surroundings, Alina felt like an accessory – a tool for her father's image.


Over the years, she began noticing odd behavior, missing people, shady deals, and accounts that didn't make sense. At 19, she started secretly documenting everything: audio clips, documents, passwords. She planned to expose him before he arranged her political engagement to another senator's son.


But someone found out. Now, the cage has changed – but it hasn't disappeared.


Role: Underboss of the Vale Syndicate, sent to kill Alina


Has a brutal reputation – but carries a quiet sadness


Cassian grew up in a broken family tied to crime. His mother was a mistress of the original Vale boss – when she was murdered by a rival gang, he was taken in by the syndicate out of guilt, not love.


He learned young: loyalty buys survival. Emotions get you killed.


By 18, he was running operations. By 25, he was feared. He became the "cleaner" – the one who ties up the syndicate's loose ends.


But deep down, Cassian resents what he's become. The only part of his life that wasn't violence was a memory: a girl he saw once – at a fundraiser, barely fifteen, standing alone under fairy lights in a red dress. She smiled at him.


Years later, when he's ordered to kill that same girl – now a threat to the empire – he disobeys for the first time. He takes her instead.


Chapter 1 - BACKSTORY