The Russian Mutt — Stephanie James (1)

What's in a name? Some people believed it was all that you truly owned in this world, but that couldn't be farthest from the truth. For some a name is passed on through generations, demanding a life that one is never truly prepared for; to follow in ones' shoes is a mighty task that many had failed. A name. Something so easily passed on and changed by a simple document. He carried the name. Was blood to two of the most powerful families in their own rights' yet it meant nothing. Everything that he did to honor the name meant nothing to those around him. His name, branded like cattle, struck fear in his enemies, but the impurity of his blood was only valued to those close to him as long as he served his purpose. For 31 years, Jacopo understood his place in the world. He was the protector of his families and would do whatever it took to protect them, but when the one person that secretly held his heart is taken by his blood, his purpose becomes skewed. Love and loyalty always went hand and hand, but when loyalty threatens love, the family protector will be forced to make a decision that could change his life forever.