Veiled Crimes ✔️

Ever since she's been a child, Leila Rossetti's sole ambition has been to seize control of The Cosa Nostra and avenge the childhood she lost by the claws her father, The Don. When she inadvertently declares war on the Russians, who have long held a vice grip on the underground, her plans go right in the trash giving way to a far more dangerous threat.

Yet the overconfidence of the Italian assassin is nothing more than a source of amusement to Nikolai Romanov, king of The Bratva. Known for his ruthlessness and absolute control over Russia, he views Leila's reckless move as merely an entertaining spectacle, like a predator who only toys with its prey before devouring it.

So what happens when The Pakhan finally decides to strike his prey?
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His thumb traced the sensitive skin of my wrist, a slow rhythm that felt like he was counting my heartbeats. Then he leaned in, his lips hovering near my ear, not touching, yet the heat was enough to sear.

"You're so beautiful. Even when you lie to me."

I rolled my eyes, tilting my head back against his shoulder just to show him I wasn't afraid of the proximity, even while my skin screamed at the contact.

"And you're still an arrogant bastard who thinks he can keep a throne just by sitting on it."

"I don't just sit on it, milaya. I bleed for it. And occasionally, I make sure others bleed a little more." The vibration of his throaty chuckle sent shivers down my spine. "Now, tell me another lie. I want to see if you can make your heart rate match your tongue."