Book picks similar to
Dirty Look by Jane Henry
mafia
bodyguard
dark
mafia-romance
Salvatore
Natasha Knight - 2016
While my father sat silent, a man defeated, giving his daughter to the Benedetti monsters.I obeyed. I played my part. I signed my name and gave away my life. I became their living, breathing trophy, a constant symbol of their power over us.That was five years ago.Then came the time for him to claim me. For Salvatore Benedetti to own me.I had vowed vengeance. I had learned hate. And yet, nothing could have prepared me for the man who now ruled my life.I expected a monster, one I would destroy. But nothing is ever black or white. No one is either good or evil. For all his darkness, I saw his light. For all his evil, I saw his good. As much as he made me hate him, a passion hotter than the fires of hell burned inside me.I was his, and he was mine. My very own monster.SalvatoreI owned the DeMarco Mafia Princess. She belonged to me now. We had won, and they had lost. And what better way to teach a lesson than to take from them that which is most precious? Most beloved?I was the boy who would be king. Next in line to rule the Benedetti Family. Lucia DeMarco was the spoils of war. Mine to do with as I pleased.It was my duty to break her. To make her life a living hell. My soul was dark, I was hell bound. And there was no way out, not for either of us. Because the Benedetti family never lost, and in our wake, we left destruction. It’s how it had always been. How I believed it would always be.Until Lucia.Author’s Note: Salvatore and Lucia’s story is a steamy standalone romance. No cliffhanger and no cheating. It is intended for mature readers.
Monster
Jessica Gadziala - 2015
And all was going to plan until one night, a huge mammoth of a man breaks into her apartment and kidnaps her,holding her hostage for the very man she was bent on bringing down.Breaker has one rule: he doesn't deal in women. But when he's conned into a job for the city's most ruthlesscrime lord, he finds himself in charge of a fiery-temperedhacker who he can't seem to keep his hands off of. When passions ignite and feelings emerge, will Breaker beable to reconcile his loyalties before it is too late or will their shaky foundation of trust start crumbling beneaththeir feet?This is a stand alone with a HEA.* For possible triggers, go here: http://www.jessicagadziala.com/trigge... *
Empires and Kings
A.C. Bextor - 2017
The grueling punishment for his crime was a reminder to all others who dared threaten the Russian's reign.I was the young girl left behind. A living piece of the traitorous puzzle the Russian leader tried so diligently to ignore.Until I grew up. No longer could he deny how much my existence had always been intertwined with his. And in order to survive the life I was thrown into, I was forced to learn my place inside of it.Vlad Zalesky was a tyrant to the lost.I hated him.He was a terror of mass destruction.I was afraid of him.He was a tormentor of the weak.I only wanted to hide from him.But not far beneath the venomous man's outward indifference was something else.Vlad Zalesky carried secrets of unrestrained burden. I wanted to know those secrets.And because of the decisions I made, someone in our family had to pay.Authors Note: This is a dark romance. Due to content, this book should be read only by those over the age of 18.
Taken by the Mob: An Obsessed Alpha Male Romance (Rossi Brothers #2)
Autumn Reign - 2020
He was my definition of sexy with his wide shoulders and built body that wasn't hidden even underneath the dark, tailored suit that he wore.NicoAnother knock drew my attention to the door and I froze. In the doorway stood a curvy blonde with bright blue eyes. She smiled with soft lips and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The top she wore strained over a pair of luscious breasts that peeked out of the top. Everything about her was perfect.I didn't have a lot of rules in my life. Growing up, I'd never been given a ton except be loyal to the family and keep the business going. There was one rule I had developed for myself though. Never sleep with an employee and definitely don't date them.I guess that’s about to change.This is steamy, insta love, alpha male, HEA short story intended for audiences over 18.
Zander's Firecracker
Ember Flint - 2020
34-year-old, strait-laced, straight-faced Zander Markos is a lawyer who never cracks a smile if he can help it. As one of the heirs to the ubiquitous and all-powerful Markos Inc’s empire, no one could argue with him if he’d say he has no time to even think of having fun, let alone actually do such a mundane thing. In light of all of this, it remains a mystery why his brother thought it would be a good idea to put him —a no-nonsense, micromanaging, security freak— in charge of overseeing the preparations for the company’s July 4th retreat and beach party at their estate on Lake Tahoe. And yet here he is, neck-deep in organizing funny family-friendly activities within an inch of their lives, until there’s no fun left whatsoever in them.Of course, any Independence Day party worth its name’s got to have a firework display and the Markos must have only the absolute best. And therein lies the problem, because ‘the absolute best’ this time is not what Zander expected.24-year-old Alexandra ‘Alexa’ Tinley may be short compared to most kids, let alone adults, but she’s a tough spitfire through and through. She’s been ‘one of the boys’ all of her life and still has the mouth and scrapping abilities to prove it. She could not tidy a room if her life depended on it because she’s in constant motion and wherever she goes, disorder rules, but when it comes to her art no one could say she’s not the absolute best. A man and a woman can’t get any more different than these two: he’s order, she’s chaos, he’s ice, she’s fire, he’s Scotch neat and she’s… nitroglycerine, and yet they can’t look away. The explosion is inevitable.This little voluptuous nuclear firecracker might have ‘handle-with-care’ written all over her, but she’s still the spark he was missing and he’s the tether she didn’t know she needed. Dear Reader: Man, these two are gonna butt head!But don’t worry: it won’t last much since Zander and Alexa are only safe from each other if they stay away from each other, which they don’t, because… duh: this is one of my books so that’s never gonna happen!This is a quick, fun, steamy novella.Here’s what you get is:NO-cheating NO OW/OM drama A passion that’s gonna set the summer sky on fire with a white-hot display you won’t forget.As always, your sugary shot of guaranteed Happily-Ever-After is included in the kit, but do bring your own safety-goggles! *Please note that ‘Zander’s Firecracker is part of ‘The Holiday Firecrackers’collection of standalone books brought to you by some of your favorite insta-love romance authors out there.
Love on the Clock: The Complete Short Office Romance Series
Nichole Rose - 2021
Waiting for my Queen
Georgia Cates - 2020
I was foolish enough to try to change the rules… and I lost.Luca—She was promised to me years ago.And he dared to take her from me.Dared to touch what was mine.I put an end to that.I hope he’s enjoying the view from his dirt room.Emilia—My beloved’s killer placed a ruby ring on my finger and called me his queen. But that red gem symbolizes something different for me. It represents the blood shed by those I love most.Hell was empty the day we wed.Because the devil was standing before me and said “I do.”Luca—I saw her as a possession.A shiny toy I didn’t want other boys to play with.But she’s so much more.Beautiful and brave and strong and broken all at once.She tastes like everything I’ve ever wanted.Emilia—Hidden and patient.I wait for the perfect time to seek my revenge.But slowly, I feel him possessing me.His heart is full of darkness… and I still want every inch of him.Hard as I try, I can’t escape loving this beautiful monster.Luca—I’m waiting patiently because I already know that she’s mine.Mine in a way that no one will ever understand.Even if she hasn’t yet realized it.For love, I’d do anything. For her, I’d do everything.
Machiavellian
Bella Di Corte - 2020
I hungered to be seen. There were three things I knew about Capo Macchiavello: He was gorgeous. He was reclusive. He was considered one of New York’s most savage animals. And he wanted me as his wife. A simple arrangement – you do for me, I do for you. Nothing owed, no expectations. Except for one: never leave. Life was never that simple, though. By the age of twenty-one, I was parentless, jobless, and homeless, and I had come to learn the hard way that nothing was ever free. Even kindness comes with strings. Capo might’ve been the only man to ever see me, but I had made a vow to myself: I would never owe anyone anything. Most of all, the man I called boss. I killed to stay hidden. Mariposa Flores thought she owed nothing to no one, but she owed everything…to me, the ghost the world had once called The Machiavellian Prince of New York.
The Goddess's Curse
Cara Bristol - 2015
Now that a massive earthquake has left his people with precious little water, he has the perfect excuse to exact revenge by driving the Sharona from their homeland and taking what the Lahon need.When he encounters Reena on the mating journey he takes her hostage to force the Sharona to capitulate to his demands, but finds himself drawn to her instead. As his desire rises, lust for revenge wanes.But after what he’s done, can he convince her of the evil that lives in the palace in time to save her life?
Coerce
Candice M. Wright - 2021
After witnessing its devastation, I’ve shied away from it,Until Atlas.I never thought I’d ignore the red flags and wave a white one.Surrendering to Atlas in the most delectable way,I didn’t realize he’d been playing me all alongUntil I found myself at his mercy.They say love can heal all wounds,But what about the scars left behind?AtlasI don’t know what love is. I’ve never been touched by its light or fallen into its depths,Until Ivy.When I see something I want, I take it.And right now, all I want is her.Each move I make is calculated and methodical,Until I have her exactly where I want her.By the time she realizes it’s a trap, it will be too late.She’ll never forgive me, and I’ll never set her free.But I feel no guilt, nor remorse.Not when I’ll own every inch of her; body, heart, and soul.And not even Ivy herself will stop me.Author note: If you’re looking for a White Knight, you might want to look elsewhere. Atlas is an Antihero in every sense of the word.This book plays with the darker side of love such as obsession, infatuation, and the power plays made to obtain it.*Coerce is a complete standalone novel*Triggers: It goes without saying that this book contains dark elements that some readers may find uncomfortable including offensive language, graphic violence, and sexual situations. All readers should be over 18 so I don’t have to answer any awkward emails from your parents or dodge pitchforks when I’m doing my weekly shopping.
Sweet Captivity
Julia Sykes
I’m the hacker-geek-goddess of the FBI. When I’m hiding behind my screen, I’m a safe distance from everyone; isolated, powerful. No man has ever touched me, but when I’m captured by Colombian drug lord Andrés Moreno, I no longer have the right to refuse. He’s scarred and scary, and his cruel brother Cristian has tasked him with breaking me. I try to fight, but I can’t escape his strong arms and harsh discipline. He demands that I accept his touch, and my virgin body can’t help but respond to his masterful manipulations.The longer I remain trapped with him, the more I come to suspect that I’m not the only captive in his brother’s home. Andrés’ scars go deeper than the wicked furrows carved into his flesh, his pain reflected in the dark demands he imposes upon me. His obsession is twisted and wrong, but maybe I’m twisted, too.Do I want to be rescued from him? Or is he the one who truly needs saving?
Tough Love: Mandy's Take-Charge Daddy
Maddie Taylor - 2019
Between work and play, life is pretty intense for them both. As Aiden introduces Amanda to the lifestyle, things promise to get even hotter. But when Aiden senses his bride is hesitant to surrender herself fully to him, he'll stop at nothing, even resorting to tough love to earn her complete trust. Can a long, steamy weekend where Aiden is in total control convince Mandy that her groom can also be her forever Daddy? Publisher's note: Tough Love is a steamy Daddy Dom romance that includes mature themes such as BDSM and spanking. If this material is offensive, you'll probably want to keep shopping.
His Virgin Queen
Mink - 2020
Even so, I still held onto the hope of living free of the families. But when I’m given to Antonio Tuscani, I realize my thin dreams of escaping this life were just that -- dreams. Giving up -- I accept my fate … Until a fierce-eyed boss, Nick DaVinci, shows up on my wedding day to exact lethal vengeance. NickI came for Tuscani blood, and I took it.The doe-eyed bride in her white dress and veil of innocence doesn’t bat an eyelash when I do what I was born to do. I’m the head of the most powerful mafia family in the city, and I didn’t get here by sparing enemies. But Sophia’s demeanor intrigues me, and soon I realize she is far more than a mafia princess -- she is a queen -- and I will stop at nothing to keep her by my side. *-*Mink's Note: Curl up with your fav feline for this safe, sweet, steamy, a 'lil dark, and a lot dreamy, HEA.
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*