[Edited] "You had to be extremely low on cash to wank into a cup for it," Dani sneered, feeling like a vindictive bully in a playground. But Carlo deserved it. She felt the first sharp stab of fear that went through her heart when Carlo looked at her with thunder in his eyes. "What are you going to do now? Kill me?" she continued. Fingering the 9mm in her back pocket, she remembered that she'd never even shot the damn thing, despite her brothers' pleas to teach her. Carlo's shadow blanketed her. "Kill you?" His brow furrowed. "Do you really think that lowly of me, cara? I'm wounded." "Then what the hell do you want?" His face flashed with a look she barely recognised - pure arousal. Even when he reached out and pulled her to him, she could feel it. "I realised that the mother of my child is more of a spitfire than I thought." His lips brushed her earlobe. "Call me a pyromaniac." *cover by @bullethood*

THE HEART OF STONE Book 1 of the Heart of Stone Series by E.L. Beth Hope Grahams never knew what drove her mother into the arms of a man like Declan Stone-the cold, commanding owner of an exclusive bondage club. But when her mother ends her life because Declan no longer wants her leaving her entire inheritance in Declan's name, Hope knew one thing: she wanted it back. To reclaim what was hers, Hope dives headfirst into Declan's world, showing up at his club every week, pretending to play the submissive. Her goal is simple-gain his attention, earn his trust, then take him down. But Declan Stone is not a man easily fooled. He's a master of control, ruthless in his expectations, and always ten steps ahead. The more Hope tries to manipulate him, the deeper she sinks into his games. When Declan offers her a deal-submit to him for one year, and he'll return the money-Hope agrees, thinking she can survive the terms. But obedience has its price... and Declan intends to collect it, body and soul. As lines blur between revenge and desire, Hope must decide if her mother's past is worth avenging-or if she's already become part of the same twisted legacy. WARNING: THIS BOOK IS RECOMMENDED FOR READERS 18 YEARS AND OVER. IT CONTAINS SEX AND SUBMISSION.