The Beautiful People — E.J. Fechenda

Natalie Ross has always gone to her brother for help. Grant's been her rock throughout their turbulent childhood. Knowing she's struggling financially, he gets her a job at Crimson, one of the hottest nightclubs in Philadelphia where he works as head of security. Natalie promises Grant she won't get sucked into the party scene or involved with any of her co-workers because she's focused on finishing her last semester of college. Her promise doesn't last 24-hours once she meets Dominic. From the first night as a Crimson employee she falls for the handsome bartender, despite her brother's protests and warnings about the guy. With a cool job, a hot man and more than enough money to pay her bills, life is looking up for Natalie. Things drastically change when she witnesses her brother kill three men and discovers he's an enforcer for the Philly Mob. Dominic is too. In fact, his family is the mafia. Suddenly Natalie is a liability and she's given an ultimatum: keep quiet or die. Initially, Natalie is enamored with the money and power associated with the lifestyle. The mafia also offers the close-knit family she's craved her entire life. She soon learns that this family's values are more than skewed. A series of violent events leaves Natalie feeling trapped, vulnerable and questioning whether she made the right choice.