Jace Marino has mastered control. By day, he’s the brilliant, untouchable criminal law professor at Brooklyn Law. By night, he’s the eldest son of New York’s most powerful crime family — a man whose word still commands the streets, even if he claims to have left that life behind.

Julian Pole never wanted law school. Sensitive and artistic, he’s far more comfortable with a sketchpad than statutes. But with a detective father and a nurse mother pushing him, quitting isn’t an option — even as his grades begin to slip.

When Jace calls on him unexpectedly in class, Julian’s stammered answer and shy, uncertain eyes spark something Jace doesn’t want to name. He should look away. Instead, he finds himself watching.

As rivals close in on Marino territory, Jace’s two worlds are on a collision course — and the quiet, blue-eyed student might be the one thing he can’t protect from the fallout.

"Calm down, lil man," he said, sitting back casually as if he hadn't just detonated a bomb in my head. "It's not a bad thing. It's going to Veridian Hall."


"Veridian Hall," he repeated, like it was the most normal thing in the world.


"Ain't that… like, private? Only famous painters get to display their art there."


"They saw your art and fell in love with it," he went on, "and now they want it."


"I've never done this before," I said quickly, nerves bubbling in my throat. "How am I supposed to even put this together right?"


"You have me," he said, like that solved everything. He reached into his sleek black briefcase and pulled out a folder, sliding it across the table. "I've already booked your hotel. Here."


I frowned, picking it up. "What's this?"


"Your art exhibitor card and guest passes."


Chapter 17 - The Weekend 1.5