Fresh Blood
by @sinsariftThe Don’s favor reshaped Carter into Isabella, a woman built for the marriage bed of his nephew—until that nephew gets whacked, and Isabella is remanded to the family brothel. Now she’s just another whore beneath the chandeliers, servicing wise guys to survive. Her only way out is a buyer wealthy enough to own her, and she’ll take every one of them until one does.
MEET THE CHARACTERS
Isabella
A 24-year-old with a body that stops conversations—generous curves poured into designer lingerie, honey-blond hair tumbling over bare shoulders, eyes the color of aged whiskey that have learned to watch every hand in the room. The transformation stripped away Carter's angular frame and left this soft, impossibly feminine form, but the wary intelligence behind those eyes still remembers being a man. She moves with the careful grace of prey learning to be a predator, her voice a husky alto that's still finding its register.
Don Vincenzo 'Vinny' Moretti
A 60-year-old Don who's aged into a wolf's patience—silver hair slicked back, dark eyes that weigh everyone like meat on a hook, hands that have signed more death warrants than contracts. He wears tailored black suits that do nothing to soften the predatory stillness of his frame. He orchestrated Carter's transformation as a favor to an old ally, and he watches Isabella now with the satisfaction of a craftsman admiring his work.
Riccardo 'Ricky' Moretti
The Don's nephew and former Capo, a 35-year-old bull of a man with a thick neck, broad shoulders, and a shaved head that gleams under the brothel's chandeliers. He was supposed to marry Isabella, but a rival family's hitman got to him first—now his ghost haunts every conversation about her future. In life, he was a brute with a taste for expensive whiskey and rougher pleasures.
Mama Rosa
The 58-year-old madam of the Moretti family's brothel, a former working girl who earned her way into management with a smile that never reaches her eyes. She's plump, with henna-red hair pinned in a loose bun, gold hoop earrings, and a housecoat that hides the scars on her forearms. She runs the house with a mix of maternal warmth and iron discipline, and she's taken a particular interest in breaking Isabella in gently.
Salvatore 'Sal' Greco
A 40-year-old underboss with slicked black hair, a thin mustache, and the dead-eyed calm of a man who's killed with his bare hands. He's the Don's right hand, and he's been eyeing Isabella since the moment she arrived—not with lust, but with the cold calculation of a man cataloging an asset. He runs the brothel's security and decides which clients get access to which girls.
Luca Bianchi
A 42-year-old art dealer from Milan, with salt-and-pepper hair, a sharp jawline, and the soft hands of a man who's never worked a day in his life. He's a regular at the brothel, but he's different from the other clients—he tips generously, treats the girls like people, and has a habit of sketching them in a leather notebook. He's the first man Isabella thinks might be her ticket out.
Tommy
Friend of the Don and regular client; used Isabella and warned her never to ask about the Don's plans; may return.
Dmitri Volkov
Deputy minister in Russia, 58, seeks a surrogate for his barren wife; Luca's planned client for Isabella; no contact with Isabella yet.
Elena
Luca's housekeeper for twelve years; cooks and will care for Isabella when Luca is absent; assessed Isabella silently and seemed to approve.
Irina Volkov
Dimitri Volkov's maybe forty, maybe fifty, it was hard to tell. Her hair was dark, streaked with silver, pulled back in a severe bun that showed off the sharp angles of her face. She wore a simple black dress, high-necked, long-sleeved, and a gold collar sat at her throat, just like mine.
Dr. Petrova
New female doctor, discreet, serves Dmitri's household, confirms Isabella carries identical twins with strong heartbeats.
Father Alexei
Family priest for 20 years; will lead OCIA sessions starting tomorrow; welcomes Isabella without judgment; knows Dmitri's history and Isabella's past.
Monica
Convert with a difficult past; coming to the house this afternoon to meet Isabella and help her navigate her faith and shame.
Courier
Dmitri's trusted man, thin and sharp-faced, took Isabella's letters for Mama Rosa and Don Vincenzo; Irina warns his deliveries are read by Dmitri's people.
Yuri
Neighbor of the blue-rosary man; grieving widower who brought his late wife's rosary to Isabella's corner prayer, will attend her baptism on Saturday.
Bishop Kirill
Bishop Kirill met Nadezhda at the reception, praised her street-corner prayer gatherings, and requested a longer interview once she is settled; Irina deflected until after the honeymoon.
Aleksander Luka
Firstborn twin son of Nadezhda and Dmitri, named for Dmitri and Luca; dedicated to God with the hundredth rosary; healthy and nursing.
Mikhail Foma
Second twin son, smaller but fierce; named for the archangel and doubting saint; dedicated to God with the hundredth rosary; healthy and nursing.
EXPLORE CHAPTERS
The First Client
The bedroom door clicks shut behind me, and the wise guy's hand is already on my hip, pulling me toward the bed. He smells of whiskey and cheap cologne, and his voice is a low growl as he tells me to
Three for One
Mama Rosa's hand lands on my shoulder, her nails pressing in as she nods toward the three soldiers waiting by the stairs—young, cocky, already loosening their ties. 'They saved up for you, sweetheart.
The Gilded Canvas
Luca's hands guide me to the chaise, his eyes already hungry with intent, and he undresses me slowly, kissing every inch of skin he reveals. 'I want to know you like this,' he murmurs, 'every curve, e
The Gilded Cage
I grip the leather armrest as the jet levels off, Luca's hand already sliding up my thigh, his voice low in my ear: 'You asked what I want—I want you to know you're mine, at thirty thousand feet.' He
The First Lesson
We sit on the stone bench by the fountain, the roses heavy with scent, and Luca opens his leather notebook to a fresh page. 'First word,' he says, and writes a single Cyrillic letter. 'Slushat'. It me