They already killed him, so I know they won’t hesitate to do the same to me. With nowhere to run or hide, I buy a one-way ticket to Milan to audition for Barsetti Lingerie in the hope I can start a new life.

My father has chosen me to succeed him in the family business. But if I want the job, it comes with stipulations. And one of those stipulations is to never mix business with pleasure. AKA, don't sleep with anyone on the job. My father leads by example, and not once have I ever seen him get involved with anyone, not even his beautiful assistant. That was an easy rule to follow...until Axel.

You want to know the secret to everlasting happiness? Never fall in love. That was the wisdom my father imparted to us James boys after our mom died, and it’s a piece of advice that’s served me well. Until dear old Dad asks me for a favor over Sunday brunch. No big deal, right? I love making my old man happy. Except this “favor” is a lot more complicated than picking up his dry cleaning. Dad wants me to marry and provide a few heirs for the James empire, and he’s even done me the courtesy of handpicking my bride-to-be. Lucky me.

I was 21 when the gypsy read my future: As punishment for your crimes, you will only love one woman...but she'll never love you back. I didn't believe a word of it. Until I met Sofia Romano almost 10 years later. I fell hard for this woman. Would die for this woman. But she left me. Now, years have passed, and Sofia needs a husband. Her father is gone, and her mother is trying to marry her off to a man that can protect their family, protect their company. Now, it's my chance to have the only woman I've ever loved...and I'll make sure she feels the same way.

When I tried to leave, Grave forced me to stay. He's obsessed with me, and not in the good kind of way. Griffin is out of the game, but he gives me a piece of information that can set me free. I travel to Cap-Ferrat, in the south of France, and find this powerful man. But he's not the least bit interested in helping me. Not for free, at least. If I want his protection, I'll have to make it worth his while.

I should have known everything was going to change when she walked into my tattoo shop... Timid as hell and gorgeous to the extreme. I knew better than even thinking about touching a woman like that. My life is dangerous. My calling wicked. Willing to cross any line to protect the innocent. I thought I’d never see her again until my little boy tumbled and busted his lip, and I found her working at the doctor’s office. The woman who’d taken possession of my thoughts. When it becomes clear she’s in trouble, I offer up a deal.

I found out my husband of three years had cheated on me and his mistress is the one who told me—because he didn’t have the balls to do it himself. I move out and get a new apartment, a job as a bartender, and try to move on with a broken heart. I wonder where it all went wrong, if I hadn’t been enough for him, if I’d been stupid for marrying him in the first place. I’m at work one night when he walks inside—the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. He sits at the bar and a forest fire burns between us.

It was a one-night stand with a bratva boss. I never expected to end up pregnant. Or run into him again three years later at my friend’s wedding. He knows I’m hiding something, but he has no idea that 'something' is his son. Before he can question me, the wedding is ambushed. He forces me to go with him so he can keep me safe. I need to escape so I can get home to my son. Whatever happens, I can’t let him find out about Sasha.

I curate art for a living. This big show was supposed to pay my bills for the next year. Oh, and did I mention the star artist is my unfaithful ex? So I try to put on a brave face—after all, the clientele are worth billions. But my ex is doing everything in his power to rub it in. Holding his new girl a little too tight. Hanging around me a little too close. What I did next was a teensy bit impulsive. I grabbed the closest revenge hookup I could find... who just happened to be the billionaire dropping five mil at the auction.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Helen Hardt takes fans deeper into the world of Black Rose Underground with the first in an all-new series featuring a sweet virgin next door who's ready to be anything but. After meeting Mr. Dark and Sexy on Tinder, she's all in and excited about joining him at an exclusive club. But Mr. Dark and Sexy may not be who he seems . . .

They already killed him, so I know they won’t hesitate to do the same to me. With nowhere to run or hide, I buy a one-way ticket to Milan to audition for Barsetti Lingerie in the hope I can start a new life.

My father has chosen me to succeed him in the family business. But if I want the job, it comes with stipulations. And one of those stipulations is to never mix business with pleasure. AKA, don't sleep with anyone on the job. My father leads by example, and not once have I ever seen him get involved with anyone, not even his beautiful assistant. That was an easy rule to follow...until Axel.

Joseph Ingram made the mistake of stealing from me - four million dollars. He took my intelligence without paying for it. And thought he could get away with it. Think again. Now I’ll take something from him - something irreplaceable. His sister. Collateral. But even when Joseph doubles the amount of money he owes me, I don’t give her up. Nope. I have an image to maintain. So I keep her. And I’m not giving her up.

When I tried to leave, Grave forced me to stay. He's obsessed with me, and not in the good kind of way. Griffin is out of the game, but he gives me a piece of information that can set me free. I travel to Cap-Ferrat, in the south of France, and find this powerful man. But he's not the least bit interested in helping me. Not for free, at least. If I want his protection, I'll have to make it worth his while.

I was 21 when the gypsy read my future: As punishment for your crimes, you will only love one woman...but she'll never love you back. I didn't believe a word of it. Until I met Sofia Romano almost 10 years later. I fell hard for this woman. Would die for this woman. But she left me. Now, years have passed, and Sofia needs a husband. Her father is gone, and her mother is trying to marry her off to a man that can protect their family, protect their company. Now, it's my chance to have the only woman I've ever loved...and I'll make sure she feels the same way.