Natalie

I didn’t survive the Bratva by being soft.
I survived by disappearing.
I built Crimson Quill from the ground up, rewrote my name, and made damn sure no one could cage me again.
Then a message shows up with words I swore I’d never hear again. Blood oath.

Now the Russians are circling, my past is done hiding, and the Sandovals' smoothest problem solver has been sent to “handle” me. Elias Vasquez is calm, charming, and dangerous in a way that doesn’t raise his voice. He watches too closely. Knows too much. Gives orders like I might actually listen.

I won’t.

But the closer he gets, the harder it is to tell where protection ends…
and surrender begins.

Elias

I don't need love.
I need control.
It's the only thing that lasts.

Natalie Morris was supposed to be leverage—someone I could control. A pressure point in a Bratva mess the Sandovals want contained.
Get close. Keep her alive. Keep her useful. That's the job.

Except she’s not weak. She’s not careless.
And she’s definitely not someone who waits to be told what to do.

She pushes back. Questions everything. Dares me to tighten my grip.
And every time she looks at me like she already knows what I want, I lose a little more ground.

The Russians don’t forget. The past always collects.

And if this turns bloody, I’ll have to decide what I’m willing to burn—
my orders, my leverage…
or the woman who’s already under my skin.

Bratva blood. Cartel politics. No safe distance.
And one rule neither of us is supposed to break:
Don't lose control.

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