Monsters are real.

When I was five years old, I watched my mother take her last breath—a breath three monsters stole from her.

I never chose this life. My father says it's my birthright, but all I see is a curse. It's because of the Kelly name my mum was slain by the Doyles—our enemies in Dublin, the fellas livin' on borrowed time.

All of Belfast fears my family, especially me. I'm Puck Kelly, otherwise known as Punky; the lad ye don't want to double cross. I don't do feelings or emotions. I never have . . . until she walks into my world.

Babydoll is a liar and a thief, but I can't stay away. We both thrive in the darkness because that's where our demons can play.

No word af a lie, sixteen years later, those monsters still haunt my dreams. But every monster is scared of somethin' . . . and that somethin' is me. No more hiding in the shadows because I'm huntin' youse. Run, wee monsters, run.

Contains mature themes.