I thought I was delivering lattes. Turns out, I was delivering myself straight into a Bratva war. Luka Barinov is Bratva royalty—ruthless, cold, and as untouchable as the empire he commands. So when his dog knocks me flat in the middle of Aspen Ridge and he demands my phone like I’m a spy, I should’ve walked away. Instead, I texted him a sarcastic insult. By accident. Now he won’t stop watching me. Stalking my café. Invading my space like he owns it—and maybe he does, because every time he looks at me, something dark and electric coils tighter in my chest. Then everything unravels. My sister disappears. My café burns. Luka decides none of it is coincidence… and I’m his prime suspect. So he takes me—into his house, into his world, into his obsession. He says he’s interrogating me. But his eyes burn. His hands linger. And the lines between enemy and protector are about to disappear. He could destroy everything I love to protect his empire. So why does he keep risking it all to protect me? I was never safe. But I’m not helpless either. Luka Barinov thinks I’m a pawn in his war… When I might be the only thing left that can bring him to his knees. RUTHLESS ASHES will ruin your sleep and wreck your soul—in the best way. Start this bestselling Bratva duet now if you're ready to fall for a hero who bites, bleeds, and never backs down. Luka and Sage's romance concludes in Book 2, RUTHLESS SMOKE. This Mafia-lite series meets slow-burn obsession in a story full of secrets, scars, and ruthless devotion Possessive Bratva heir Obsessive alpha hero romance Forced proximity Enemies-to-lovers Surprise pregnancy Small town girl, big dark secret Cinnamon roll dog / growly mafia man combo Grumpy x sassy Obsession masked as interrogation Mafia lite