Je suis au Black Light pour affaires, mais maintenant que je suis là, je sais exactement ce que je veux : la jolie blonde qui n’a rien à faire ici. Celle qui me demande d’être doux avec elle. Et je peux vous assurer que quand j’en aurai fini avec elle, elle me suppliera de recommencer. Note de l'Autrice: Prélude a d'abord été publié dans l'anthologie en anglais Black Light: Roulette Wars. Une version française de cette anthologie n'est pas disponible actuellement.

NO ONE TAKES WHAT’S MINE. The lovely attorney kept a secret from me. A baby she’s been carrying since Valentine’s night. The night we were thrown together by the roulette wheel. She never contacted me. Meant to keep me in the dark. She’s about to find out what happens when you cross a bratva boss. Punishment is in order. Sequestering until the birth. And I’ll use that time to win her surrender. Because I don’t just plan to keep the baby—I plan to make his mother my bride. And it would be much better for both of us if she were willing.

OWNED BY THE MAN I BETRAYED Eight years ago I uttered a lie that changed a man’s life. My father banished him from his bratva cell. From the country. Now he’s back to take my inheritance. My life. Not through murder, but marriage. And my own father arranged it. Maxim thinks he can make me submit to his will. He thinks he gets to call all the shots. I wanted him once and he refused me. I won’t fall for him again. And I don’t plan to cave. Not even when he makes me tremble with need…

She’s my weakness, my obsession. And now my prisoner. I spent twelve long years in a Siberian prison. Since my release, nothing's held my interest. Nothing except her. Week after week, I watch her band perform. I can't get her out of my mind. When my past catches up to me, she becomes a target. The only way to save her is to lock her away. Hold her prisoner until things blow over. She’ll never forgive me now, but I can’t explain. I can’t talk.

« Tu l’as dressée, elle est à toi. » Je ne voulais pas qu’on me l’attribue. Cette jolie fleur délicate prononcera sans doute son mot de sécurité après un seul de mes coups de canne. C’est l’ancienne colocataire de la jeune épouse de mon frère de la bratva. Elle ne réussira pas à m’amadouer avec son envie de faire plaisir. Sa soumission totale. Mais quand elle encaisse tout ce que je lui inflige, je comprends vite une chose : elle m’appartient, désormais.

I SHOULD GIVE HER UP—SET HER FREE. The Russian army made me a killer, but the brotherhood made me what I am. Ruthless. Deadly. Irredeemable. Which is why Kayla should stay away. The innocent young actress has a bright future ahead of her, so long as someone doesn’t break her first. Someone like me. Every weekend, she gives herself to me fully. Without question. Without hesitation. She’s mine to command. In return, I give her what she craves—pain and pleasure. But it’s a fantasy that can’t ever become reality. We’re playing with fire, but I can’t seem to let her go…

SHE BETRAYED MY FAMILY—I WILL MAKE HER PAY. The sweet redhead in our building isn’t as innocent as we thought. She brought a Fed into our circle. Got my twin brother shot. Now she will pay. I’m putting her in charge of nursing him back to health. If he dies, she dies. That’s what I told her, anyway. Of course I wouldn’t actually harm her. Our beautiful neighbor is already under my skin. But that won’t stop me from punishing her then touching her in all the ways I vowed I wouldn’t. She’s ruined my peace. Become a distraction I can’t afford. I want to keep her under my control... I need to keep her out of my heart.

I BARGAINED WITH THE BRATVA—MY BROTHER’S LIFE FOR MY OWN. They offered me a deal: thirty nights for my brother's life. Thirty nights...with him. Nikolai Novikov. The charming but dangerous loanshark. He’s deceptively smooth. Sinfully handsome. Addictive, even. But it's only an illusion. I vow to give him nothing more than I promised, Yet he sees right through me. When it comes to my heart, all bets are off... And winner takes all.

Her father ruined my sister’s life. Now she will have to pay the price.

Players will play. Flynn Taylor, rock ‘n roll heartthrob, plays fast and loose. He’s with different girls every night. Yes, girls plural. On the brink of becoming not just a Chicago sensation, but an American icon, he’s everything I should avoid. Then again, maybe it doesn’t matter. I’m so damaged, I’m not even capable of a relationship. He might be the perfect antidote. The temptation I need to lure me back to the side of the living. He could help me get over my trauma. Attempt physical intimacy. If it goes wrong–no harm, no foul, right? If only I can keep my overprotective bratva brother from threatening to kill him if he even touches me…