I lean in being careful to not dive the knife too far in his throat but enough for it to bleed and leave a scar. Our faces are inches apart and I decide to speak : "Looks like I won. I could end you right now if I wanted" "Then do it". His reply takes me off guard "No, I am smarter than that, it's still not the time. I am a patient woman" I mutter despite the fact that I didn't believe a word I just said... of course I wasn't a patient woman. He takes advantage of my lack of focus and throws me to the side. He was now on top with his hand pinning my wrists down and his blood dripping on my chest. "You can lie to everyone, even to yourself Valeria, but not to me" he panted ------------------------- If you like: - Mafia romances - Childhood friends to enemies to lovers - Slow burn - Nightmare trope - Dagger to the throat trope - One bed trope - Comforting scenes - Girl badass vs dominant men - Characters with tragic backstories - Hates everyone but her - 🌶🌶🌶 Then this book is for you !

Revenge. I'm familiar with it. You have to be when you're the firstborn son of a notorious mafia leader. Death and vengeance have been the very foundations of my life. So who in their fucking mind would be stupid enough to cross me? My brother and I have been wrongfully convicted of a crime we didn't commit. We know who is behind this. We bid our time behind bars, planned and prepared for the day we got out. Now we're free and hungry for redemption. I know what must be done. I know whose blood will be spilled. But before I go after him, I'll go after his daughter. I never said I play fair. *Book one in the Marino Brothers Duet. Rated 18+ due to explicit language, sex, and violence.*

"It is your choice," he said, stepping so close to me that our lips were almost touching. "Either do what I say - or get another job." My heart stood still as I gazed up into his deep, dark, dangerous eyes... In a world where women's only role in life is to sit at home and look pretty, Lilly is determined to fight for her freedom. There's only one problem: a powerful man blocking her way.