“You are a monster, Max.” Max Ferrara warned me that he was a monster, but I didn’t want to believe him. I wanted to heal the scarred mafia prince and surrender to the fiery chemistry we shared. Until he crushed my heart, and then I finally understood. He’s loyal to his criminal family, no matter how much I wish he were a good man. I dug too deeply into the Ferraras’ crimes, and now I have their attention. And the Bratva conspiracy Max warned me about? I’m starting to fear that it might be true. On the awful night he betrayed me, I told Max that we were done. But he won’t leave me exposed and vulnerable to his Russian enemies. Or his own brutal family. I can’t escape my dark protector’s strong arms, and I’m no longer certain if I want to… Note: This story was previously released under the title Torment & Temptation.