Nikolai Petrov is the ruthless leader of the Russian mafia, feared by all who cross his path. When he forces Vera Moretti, the innocent yet broken daughter of a rival mafia family, into an arranged marriage, he expects obedience and submission. But Vera, scarred by her past, hides her pain behind a facade of strength and grace. As the lines between power and desire blur, Nikolai finds himself captivated by the one thing he can't control-her heart. In a world of danger and deceit, can love survive, or will it destroy them both?

A raw and riveting urban tale where trauma meets tenderness, and two guarded souls find connection in a world of secrets, survival, and slow-burning desire.

"Please Jesus, free me of the spirit of lust." "I know that relationships built under your word can last forever. So free me of the thought, free me of the feeling and free me from my flesh trying to cloud my judgement." "I don't worship lust, sex or desire. I worship you Jesus, please don't allow me to lose sight of that." "In Jesus name, I pray." "Amen." I spoke desperately as I stood up from my knees.

In this life you'll meet people in the most unexpected ways that will change your life and force you confront your past. Start Date: April 25, 2021 End Date: May 25, 2021

Scattered thoughts

"Mama, I can't just leave Abir." I admitted, telling her exactly why I couldn't do this. Not only would she be snatching me away from my family and friends but she was taking me away from the person I'd loved for five going on six years. I couldn't just walk away from him. "Baby.." She trailed off, sighing deeply. "I know you love Abir." She stood to her feet to stop packing for a moment and pulled me into her. "But I promise you, there will be other boys. Right now you have to do what's best for you and that's coming with your daddy and I to give you a better life." "Better life for who? You?!" I screamed out, becoming even more angry at her choice of words. As if my feelings were robotic and I could just turn them on and off for any and every person. "My feelings just don't matter to y'all at all, huh?" I asked, crying harder than before now. "Speak to your mother with some respect, Giselle." My father spat to me and I shook my head, watching as they stood there looking at me like some dumb teenager. This wasn't puppy love for me. I didn't spend 5 years building something, just to walk away from it for their dreams. I couldn't do it. Sinner. Book #1

"I know I should've talked to you about it but I-" I started but stopped, looking down at my feet again. I had no excuse. The only thing on my mind was graduating, I never put his feelings into perspective. "Dominic, I'm sorry. I was being selfish and only thinking of myself but baby, I promise if you give me another chance.." I trailed off, breathing heavily. "..if you give us another chance, I'll never do it again. I promise." I tried to grab his face but he roughly pulled away from me. "Don't touch me." He spoke sternly, breaking me even more. "Look.." He trailed off, looking away again. "Me and you..we're done." He spoke, finally looking down at me. "Dominic." I pleaded. "Don't say that. Please." "Na', this shit is over, T." He went on and I began to sob.

"It's blood bout' that pussy."

"I just wanna feel something. Anything."

Heart's Desire (Noun) : Refers to the deepest, most personal longings or wishes that come from your emotional core-not just what you want, but what you truly yearn for. These desires often reflect your truest self-your passions, dreams, needs for love, purpose, connection, or fulfillment. They're called "heart's" desires because they're emotional and instinctive, not always logical or practical. They can be difficult to explain, but you feel them deeply. "I feel like for some crazy ass reason, I got this connection with you. I wonder about ya safety when I'm not around and even if you never give a nigga the time of day... I just want you to be happy. I don't even know why.. I'm attracted to you like crazy ma." "You make me feel this way that I've never really felt before and I'm just too scared to go for the ride. Everything I ever said I wanted in a man, you have. Your attitude, your mindset, your maturity-." They weren't looking for each other, but something deeper-unspoken and undeniable-pulled them in. Follow along as two souls shaped by pain, survival, and pride, try to navigate a bond that feels bigger than either of them. It's passionate, intense, captivating, and at times overwhelming. Their connection isn't just attraction-it's a collision of heart's desires that neither expected, but both need. ( MATURE CONTENT ) COMPLETED