Guilty

Guilty is the second book in The Damaged series by D. Sparks, but can be read as a standalone.

Synopsis

My life was never my own.

An orphan. A runaway. Then I was kidnapped and trafficked. I was sold to the Mafia at seventeen and thrown into a life of crime, sex, and violence. For eight years I was forced to work at a club called Bound, stuck in a life of servitude with no end in sight. I wanted to run, but there's no running when there's nowhere to hide. My only hope came in the form of Lucas Nox, an undercover police officer, who helps me finally gain freedom. Of course, it comes with a price. Now we're both in WITSEC. I should be relieved, but I left behind the one man who ever loved me, and to protect Damon, I had to let him go forever.

Unfortunately, he has other plans. When he shows up out of the blue, I know the mob won’t be too far behind.

With my new identity, and job, I knew starting over again won’t be easy, especially when I’m constantly looking over my shoulder.

I deserve my happily ever after. I won’t feel guilty about destroying the lives of others to get it.

---

Trigger Warnings & Tropes

---

Review

Wow. This story really surprised me. I enjoyed "Insatiable" but I loved "Guilty".

Trix is abducted as a teen where she is sex trafficked until she later finds a relationship with a mafia man who turns out to be a complete monster. She lives through 8 years of being owned, where she suffers through sexual, physical and mental abuse. Trevor is just….completely evil, and not in our favorite morally gray guys kind of way, this guy is the worst. Because of all of this, definitely check the trigger warnings for this story. This book starts the day that the FBI plans to bust this mafia family after Trix agrees to help bring Trevor down. She is immediately moved into witness protection, leaving behind her bodyguard and secret love Damon, and Detective Lucas Nox who she also has grown to care for.

I think, just like "Insatiable", "Guilty", comes into the story where she already has a deep relationship with her men. I would have loved to have seen more of when she was falling in love with Damon and how her and Nox's relationship went from professional to something more. But seeing her and Nox in witness protection and watching them develop even more was beautiful.

"You're beautiful when you're angry, sad, happy or when tears fall down your face. There is never a moment where I am not in awe of just how magnificent you are. But seeing that smile on your face as you saw the snow for the first time will live on in my memory forever. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I am glad I was able to witness it."

Of course Damon is supposed to stay away, but when he finally gets the opportunity to run, he does everything he can to make it back to his girl.

I want to replace all of her bad memories with gentle kisses, strong hugs, and my reassuring presence that she is safe and protected.

Now, Damon and Nox have to do everything they can to keep Trix safe until she can act as a witness against Trevor. I really love how these men work together to keep her safe and give her the life she deserves.

"Because you are my future, and I don't want to live someone else's false, made-up life. I want to live my own life, with you and Damon."