Carnal Desire

BEATRICE

They say every rose has its thorns. My entire life, I've been the perfect daughter to one of New York's most powerful French crime families - the prodigy who could spot a forged masterpiece at a glance. My brother was selling me off to our enemies like one of our counterfeit paintings, until he took me.

Sebastien Bellerose. The Beast of the French underworld.

They say he's a monster. Scarred. Violent. Unhinged.

They say he burns his enemies alive.

Now he claims I'm his wife.

I should be terrified. Instead, I'm fascinated by the broken wine bottles in his cellar and the way he watches me when he thinks I'm not looking. There's something intoxicating about the darkness in him - something that calls to the darkness I've hidden behind my perfect mask.

They call him a beast, but maybe that's exactly what I need.

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SEBASTIEN

Caged. Monster. Unhinged.

I never thought I'd see the day someone called me husband.

To love and to own. It's a terrible idea all around, but once I saw her, there wasn't a chance in hell I was walking away.

Beatrice Duvalle. The French art empire's perfect princess. So beautiful and delicate, you'd never guess there's fire burning in her veins. She keeps it hidden behind her reserved mask, but I can see it.

I see her

My obsession was instant and all-consuming. When her brother tried to marry her off to my enemy, I knew I had to act fast.

They think I've stolen my bride, but I know I've freed her. In my wine cellars, surrounded by my empire of rare vintages and violence, I'll show her that she doesn't have to hide anymore.

They call her The Rose.

I'm going to watch her bloom in darkness.

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A dark mafia romance inspired by Beauty and the Beast. Features a possessive, scarred crime lord and the art authenticator who becomes his obsession. Contains themes of dubious consent, violence, and organized crime. Book One of the Milieu Series.