Aiden
The mark of the tainted ruined my life.
I didn't ask for it. I didn't have a say in what happened, and yet I'm marked forever because of it.
One little inverted cross burned into the back of my neck and my whole life goes to shit. My parents don't want me, I can't keep a job, and I'll never find anyone brave enough to marry me now.
The only person who still cares about me at all is my step-brother Maverick, and if he's not careful... I'll be dragging him down with me, too.

Maverick
Everything about Aiden is off-limits. He's tainted, he's my step-brother, and he's not the one I'm currently betrothed to.
I never should've let him move in with me when our parents kicked him out, but I did, and something tells me I'm going to pay for it.
Maybe that's what I've wanted all along.