Book picks similar to
Behind the Mask by Abbi Cook
dark
mafia
dnf
dark-romance
His
Penelope Bloom - 2016
Everyone in the city knows who I am: Vincent Citrione, top capo of the most powerful crime family in the city. If you’ve got two brain cells to rub together, you’re scared sh*tless of me. If you’re a beautiful woman, I may have given you the hardest, dirtiest f*ck of your life before showing you the door. Commitments? F*ck ‘em. At least, that was my motto until I caught her snooping in the wrong place at the wrong time. I wanted her to be like all the rest. I wanted to forget her. But she’s not like the others. She thinks she can say no to me and get away with it. She thinks she can walk away after what she’s seen. But one taste and I know she’s going to be mine. I don’t care what it takes. Even if I have to kill to keep her safe. I get what I want. And I want her.
Illicit Temptations
Janine Infante Bosco - 2015
That's all I was before New York's most notorious gangster recruited me.Now here I am, following in my father's footsteps and breaking my mother's heart. And I'm torn between the only life I've ever known and the possibility of something else. Because the only beacon of light in this dark world is the one woman I can't have. The Boss's daughter. The nightclub king's girl. Her irresistible spirit struggling to be respected for who she is, and not just who she belongs to. I see her. All of her.She's the sweetest temptation I've ever known.And the most illicit. Publisher's Note: Illicit Temptations is volume one in The Tempted Series but it may be read and enjoyed as a standalone mafia romance. This book has been revised and edited as of January 2021.
Deviant
Jaimie Roberts - 2014
This is not a fairy tale. He is not her Prince Charming about to whisk her away into the sunset. This is a story about betrayal, lust, desire and, ultimately, revenge...And revenge can only lead to one thing. TylerHe was my stranger, my visitor, my shadow in the corner of my room. He stalked me, watched me, knew everything about me. But all I could do was sit and wait. I waited for him to visit me night after night. He was becoming my addiction, my craving, my obsession. He knew every inch of me, but I knew nothing about him. His calls himself Lotus and, as crazy as it sounds, I think I’m falling in love. DeanI wanted to take her, possess her, dominate her, and ruin her. I wanted to ravish her, please her, and consume her until I couldn’t take much more of her.She will want me to kiss her. She will want me to hold her all night so that she feels a connection with me. I would make it so that she would seek me out in the dark. The one that satisfies her ultimate fantasy. A stranger who sneaks into her room. Someone who gives her the ultimate pleasure, but also seeks to give her ultimate pain. Pain she has never had to endure. Pain that will eat away at her until there is nothing left.She was my nemesis, I was her lotus. And payback was a bitch.
Savage Vow
Zoe Blake - 2021
She was far too young and naïve to be betrothed to a monster like me. I would bring only pain and darkness into her sheltered world. That’s why she ran.I should’ve just let her go… She never asked to marry into a powerful Russian mafia family. None of this was her choice. Unfortunately for her, I don’t care. I own her… and after three years of searching… I’ve found her. My runaway bride was about to learn disobedience has consequences… punishing ones. Having her in my arms and under my control had become an obsession. Nothing was going to keep me from claiming her before the eyes of God and man. She’s finally mine now… and I’m never letting her go. Special Preorder price of $.99c only available for a limited time.
Under Her Skin
Adriana Anders - 2017
Beneath her drab clothing, she hides a terrible secret—proof of her abuse, tattooed onto her skin in a lurid reminder of everything she’s survived.Caught between a brutal past and an uncertain future, Uma’s reluctant to bare herself to anyone…much less a rough ex-con whose rage drives him in ways she will never understand. But beneath his frightening exterior, Ivan is gentle. Warm. Compassionate. And just as determined to heal Uma’s broken heart as he is to destroy the monster who left his mark scrawled across the delicate tapestry of her skin.
The Bastard's Betrayal
Katee Robert - 2021
Violently over-protective parents. A giant extended family, all ready to kill anyone who looks at her wrong. Learning to run a business that isn’t exactly on the right side of the law. So, naturally, when she meets a nice guy who isn’t in the life, she falls hard… Right up until the she discovers her new boyfriend isn’t a civilian at all.But he betrayed her.When Dante Verducci was sent on an undercover mission to evaluate the Romanov family for weakness, he never expected to have an instant connection with their unlikely heir. There’s something fierce and feral about Rose that calls to him. They’re alike, even if they’re both lying to each other during the months they date. Before he could figure out a new plan, Rose finds out who he really is, dumps him, and immediately enters an engagement with the heir of a rival family. Yeah, no, that’s not going to work for Dante.Now he’ll do anything to reclaim her. Even go to war.Author's Note: For all tropes, tag, and CWs, please check the author's website.
The Vigilante's Lover
Annie Winters - 2015
Seduction. Bondage ropes. Descriptions of things Mia has never experienced or known. The man’s words are desperately passionate. He longs for a woman who must have given him a fake address. Mia’s address. She plans to send the letter back. He’s a convicted felon. But his words gnaw at her. She’s never done anything dangerous. And no man has ever talked to her like this. So Mia writes him, pretending to be the woman he desires. It's her one dark thrill in her dull, solitary small-town life. The man is in prison for another fifteen years. It's harmless. She is safe enough. Until he escapes.
Beware
Shanora Williams - 2014
Very bad. After losing my brother, I know I should stay away. So why can’t I? He’s irresistible. He’s confident. He’s amazing… but he’s dangerous. He was there the night my brother was murdered. He watched it all go down. I should stay away. The things I saw weren’t acceptable. I should want Ace as far away from me as possible—I should consider him a monster and a threat—but when my life is at stake I know I no longer have a choice of the matter. He's the only one that can protect me. He's done what he can to keep me out of danger, but it's not enough. I need answers. I need the truth. He refuses to give it to me, and because of that I don't trust him. He refuses to tell me what really happened and to just forget about it but I refuse. I won’t back down until I get answers. But there’s one thing wrong with getting too many answers. It leads to lies. It leads to trouble. It leads to danger. But worst of all, it leads to me falling deeply and madly in love with him. I’ve gotta be out of my mind. London Stallone hasn’t always had the perfect life, but she did have the perfect older brother. He did everything for her. He took care of her when no one else would. He’s always been the shoulder she could lean on, but when he ends up murdered, things turn for the worst. London soon demands answers, and the first person she runs to is her brother’s co-worker and good friend, Donovan “Ace” Crow. Ace isn’t the ordinary guy. He doesn’t come equipped with flowers and chocolate. He doesn’t hand out smiles and hugs to every female he meets. He’s strict and only about business, and London believes he’s a part of the reason her brother was murdered. Soon, after finding out life-threatening news, it leads to something Ace never thought he’d have to do for anyone. Protect her. Although he doesn't want her to get hurt, it doesn't stop him from being selfish or bitter. He's promised to protect her, but has he done enough ? Has he sacrificed everything in order to keep London out of harms way? Sometimes love can get in the way of your priorities. And sometimes love can easily become your enemy—your worst nightmare. It can destroy you. This is a story full of dishonesty. Disloyalty. Broken hearts. Pain. Suffering. Lies. Destruction. This isn’t a fairytale love story. This is real. And it just might break you. You’ve been warned… BEWARE. *91K words*
Asher Black
Parker S. Huntington - 2017
Huntington comes a steamy, slow-burn love story full of unexpected love and banter.It started with my bladder.I didn't mean to witness a shady deal in the restroom hallway.I didn't think twice when I called the cops.And I certainly didn't know who the club belonged to.Asher Black.Former mafia hitman.Billionaire CEO.New York's most eligible bachelor.When he shows up at my college, looking for the girl who called the cops on his business, I know I'm as good as dead.What I don't expect is his offer--he'll pay my tuition and set me up with a cushy job after I graduate.All I have to do is... be his fake fiancée.Asher Black is a 90,000-word standalone novel in The Five Syndicates mafia romance series.
Soldier: A Mafia Romance
Liliana Rhodes - 2014
Until I met him. Dante is mysterious, rough, and makes me think things a good girl like me shouldn't. Loving him could cost me my family, leaving him would cost me my life. He's a killer, a mafia hit man, and my protector.DanteGia awakened emotions in me I didn't know I was capable of having. Protecting her was like breathing, I didn't have a choice. But the one act that will finally make her safe, is what will push her away. I must kill her brother.Librarian's Note: This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN: B00IPR1Z2M (less)
The Broken
Ker Dukey - 2013
She was meant for Sammy but circumstance and black mail forced her into a relationship with Danny, a troubled, abusive partner. Leaving the only boy she ever loved to flee. Now four years later he has returned. When her feelings and missing parts of herself that left with him return also, loyalty, restraint and love will be tested. Can she find a way to leave the threatening clutches of Danny, to finally be saved by her childhood love? Or will Danny’s hold on her tighten when more life shattering events consume their already troubled lives? When Sammy returns home, after four years of being away from the girl that broke his heart, he’s not prepared for all his old feelings to force their way straight back into his heart. Questions that were left unasked when he left begin to plague him, when the sudden relationship between River and Danny all those years ago seems all the more confusing now. Secrets, mistrust and Danny’s possessive behaviour sends up red flags and Sammy begins doubting himself for leaving in the first place.When the spark between Sammy and River finally ignites it will leave explosive consequences for everyone.
Victor: Her Ruthless Crush
Theodora Taylor - 2021
Totally mysterious. He doesn't talk. He's insanely hot. And now...I'm supposed to be spending every Thursday with him???When my dad asked me to tutor the son of an important business associate, I thought I was agreeing to teach a little kid.Victor's definitely not a kid. In fact, it's hard to believe we're even the same age. He's way more powerful than any boy I've ever met.Also, way more intense. He stares at me in this weird way. It almost feels like obsession.But there's no way he could be attracted to me like I'm attracted to him. I'm just an overweight nerd with secret dreams I've never dared to tell anyone.Until him.I tell him all of my secrets.But will I be able to handle it when I find out all of his?
Pretty Killer
Michelle Brown - 2018
This is Rosalina's story Rosalina Maria has death in her blood. The only child left in her family, she's heir to the head of the Mexican Mafia, and has spent her entire life training to take over. Studying self-defense, the ways of her father's empire, and the intricacies of their business - she's the perfect person to step in when her father passes away.But what happens when the princess tries to become the Queen, without a King?Anthony De Los Santos is a major member of the Cuban mafia. Hot, dangerous, and possibly as crazy as Rosalina - he has an agenda that he won't back down from.But what happens when tensions run high and emotions interfere with their best laid plans? Will Anthony turn on her? Will Rosalina choose to lead alone?Or will they risk it all for each other?Warning: this book will contain triggers and is intended for a mature audience 18+
Red.
London Miller - 2016
Seven years ago, Niklaus "Red" Volkov was offered an opportunity, one that would give him the ability to even the score with the Albanian mobsters that had tortured him for days and took the life of the only girl he'd loved. But that gift came with strings... Molded into the perfect soldier, Niklaus joined an elite group of mercenaries, loyal to a mysterious man known only as The Kingmaker. He willingly paid the price for means to fulfill the vendetta that plagued him each day. Vengeance was all he knew... And death was all he lived for... Until it wasn't... Until her...
Torrent
Gemma James - 2014
Now, eight years later, he's returning the favor...I've been obsessed with Rafe Mason since I was thirteen. The twisted part of this story is that I still want him even now that he's holding me captive on an island.Rafe has his reasons for doing what he's doing, and if I'm honest, I can't blame him. I'm the girl who sent him to prison for a heinous crime he didn't commit.But now he's free and the tables have turned...now he's the one driven by obsession.NOTE TO READERS: Torrent is a dark romance with kidnapping and other disturbing themes. Intended for mature readers. Not for the faint of heart. You've been warned. Part 1 in the Condemned series.