For years, I watched her. Drank her in as she performed in front of an empty theatre, pretending every seat was occupied, the cello settled between her legs as her dainty fingers made love to the strings…one beautiful note after the other. She thought she was alone, that no one heard her play. But I did. I heard every note, every tune, every vibrato. It drowned out the voices. Silenced the demons. It gave me peace. I’d hide in the shadows so I could get high on the music that stemmed from her soul. It was entrancing. Beautiful. Utterly hypnotic. She has no idea that I exist—that I live for the nights she performs for me, and me alone. But she will. Soon she’ll realize how important she is to me. My cellist. My soloist. My Requiem. Author's Note: The Villain's Captive was previously published as The Musician.

The day Elijah took me, he vowed to tame me. I tried to fight him. Tried to survive without losing my heart. But in the end, he did what he said he’d do… tame me. He claimed me so unapologetically, and I surrendered willingly. Together we found our place within the darkness. We succumbed to wicked desires and tainted intentions. And with every kiss, every touch, I allowed myself to fall deeper. Drowning within the seduction of a killer’s obsession. I was reckless. Blinded by the promises of a man who wanted nothing but me. I should have known better. Guarded my heart more fiercely. After all—nothing good can come from falling for the villain. Author's note: The Villain's Beloved was previously titled "The Soloist," the second book in the Crescendo Series, now rebranded as THE VILLAIN'S DUET.

● The Villain is the box set of The Villain's Duet and contains both novels: ➖ The Villain's Captive ➖ The Villain's Beloved You can now read the entire duet as a complete standalone. ✤ Elijah ✤ I'm the one they all fear. The one they whisper about. A faceless ghost. My hands are coated in crimson from souls I've sent to hell - at a price. I've never missed a target, and I always deliver. I'm the Grim Reaper of the Cosa Nostra. Then there's her. The cellist whose music soothes the malignance of my existence. For years I've lurked in the shadows watching her play. Waiting. Anticipating the day I'll come for her. Her innocence tempts me. My blackened heart craves to ruin it, to smother her light with my darkness. She's the nucleus of my obsession... and my next victim. ✤ Charlotte ✤ The day Elijah took me, he vowed to tame me. I tried to fight him. Tried to survive without losing my heart. But in the end, he did what he said he’d do… tame me. He claimed me so unapologetically, and I surrendered willingly. Together we found our place within the darkness. We succumbed to wicked desires and tainted intentions. And with every kiss, every touch, I allowed myself to fall deeper. Drowning within the seduction of a killer’s obsession. I was reckless. Blinded by the promises of a man who wanted nothing but me. I should have known better. Guarded my heart more fiercely. After all—nothing good can come from falling for the villain.