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Emilia

I’m determined to bring down the formidable Santoro Mafia and prove my worth as the youngest detective on the force.

However, when I decide to investigate one of their nightclubs and cross paths with Luca Santoro, the youngest son of Rocco, I stumble upon more than I bargained for. Suddenly, my life is in danger.

Luca kidnapped me, but hasn’t killed me yet. In fact, he’s hell-bent on keeping me in this cabin and torturing me. And from the way he looks at me, I don’t know if he wants to kill me or ravage me. Maybe both.

As the hours stretch into days, a shameful truth emerges. Despite my best efforts, my body betrays me, yearning for the man who may be my ultimate downfall.

Luca

I’m the son of a mob boss, untouchable until that one night when Detective Emilia Washington barges into my club and witnesses me taking down my best friend.

Now, I could simply follow my family’s orders and get it over with. Instead, I play mind games to get inside her head like she’s invaded mine.

But when a rival mafia targets her, I step in and take her to a secluded cabin.

But I’m also taking her here to end her life, right?

Then why is every moment filled with an overwhelming urge to touch her body, claim her as mine, and have her scream my name on those perfect lips of hers?

Time is ticking...

This is book one in the series and is to be read in order.

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2024

36 people are currently reading
192 people want to read

About the author

Missy Walker

39 books374 followers
Missy is an Australian author who writes kissing books with equal parts angst and steam. She loves writing stories about billionaires, enemies to lovers, and the boy next door- just to name a few.

When she’s not writing, she’s taking care of her two daughters and doting husband.

Inspired by the acreage she lives on, Missy regularly distracts herself by visiting her orchard… some days more often than writing!

Then there’s her overweight cat, Charlie, chickens, and bees if she needed another excuse to pass the time.

And, when the day ends, there’s nothing better than unwinding with a gin and tonic as the sunsets surrounded by the ones she loves.

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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Lauren Nesic.
910 reviews58 followers
April 10, 2024
⭐⭐⭐.5 It was good and would recommend to most.

Emilia, the youngest detective, confronts the Santoro Mafia, but her investigation leads to a dangerous encounter with Luca, the son of the mob boss. Captured by Luca, Emilia's life hangs in the balance as she grapples with conflicting emotions of fear and desire. Meanwhile, Luca struggles with his loyalty to his family and his growing attraction to Emilia. As time ticks away, both must confront their deepest desires amidst the threat of death, blurring the lines between survival and forbidden passion.

These to have so much chemistry and is the main part of this story because a relationship is completely forbidden. I adored all the tension and it really created such an intense reading experience. Emilia is very closed off which makes it hard to connect but I also understand why she was that way. BUT THAT GODDAMN CLIFFHANGER left me wanting so much more, I can not wait for the next instalment. Missy absolutely smashed it for her first mafia book.

I read this as a BETA reader.

Tropes: forbidden, mafia romance, detective + mafia don
Triggers: murder, torture, typical mafia activities
Profile Image for Megan.
803 reviews7 followers
March 27, 2024
This is book 1 of a new series about the Mafia where newbie detective, Emelia tries to gain intel on the powerful Santoro family when she visits one of the clubs owned by the family and run by the youngest son, Luca. It is instant attraction between them and she inadvertently stumbles into more than she bargained for which leads to her kidnap. The chemistry between the two main characters is edgy and intense and the two are constantly at loggerheads fighting their forbidden attraction. The book is so well written that the imagery portrayed feels like you are watching a movie unfold before your eyes. I thought that Luca had more depth of character than Emelia in this book.
This story ends quite abruptly in a cliffhanger and I look forward to reading part 2 of this series in Stolen Love. I was given an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
2,685 reviews32 followers
February 19, 2024
So amazing. What Great story! Definitely one that pulled me in and got me involved.

This was about detective, Emilia who stumbled on something she shouldn't have and got the attention of Mafia assassin Luca Santoro.

Luca and Emilia had such an amazing chemistry from the very start but Luca being who he was tended to rub her the wrong way initially. Being that she was trying to bring his family down, tended to ramp up the friction between them.

This book really was very well done and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole premise of the book and although I'm not fond of trilogies, this one certainly had me yearning for more.

Truly a great book, bring on the next!!!
Profile Image for Yes_I_Read_Lots.
331 reviews11 followers
February 21, 2024
Intense Mafia romance. This is another instalment in the Elite Mafia of New York Series. Here we have the story of Luca and Emilia.

This is intense from the moment they meet. Luca is fierce and Em is determined. They are both so strong willed, they were bound to clash.

The instant attraction has Em questioning her behaviour, whilst Luca is intrigued by his reaction to Em. As any great Mafia novel unfolds, things happen (mafia style), decisions are made (mafia style), actions take place (mafia style) and they find themselves in an unusual situation.

Well this story is not finished …. So I am very much looking forward to the next instalment.

Another brilliant book from Missy.
18 reviews
February 22, 2024
This is a gripping read and had me hooked! I wondered how police detective Emilia and Mafia man Luca could fall for each other. But I loved how Missy wove the romance into the action. I can’t wait to read the next two books.
7 reviews
February 22, 2024
If you haven't read any of Missy Walkers books please start now!
This book will not disappoint, Luca and Emilia will keep you wanting more. Can't wait for the next one.
Missy is incredibly talented and takes you on a journey through her books.
Profile Image for Amanda Shannon.
4 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2024
Great little read. A book I could not put down, finished in two days. A romance you hate but love all at the same time. I found my self rooting for everything I hate with just the right amount of fire. This mafia romance keeps you wanting more. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
6 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2024
I loved elite men of manhattan and the first book in the new series didn’t disappoint.

Love love loved it!

Not as hot and heavy as elite men of manhattan but still a great love story!
Profile Image for Ashley Grisso.
4 reviews
February 22, 2024
I couldn’t stop reading this book and I’m so ready for book 2 in the series! I loved it! But I love all of Missy’s books!
Profile Image for Tahlz.
5 reviews
February 22, 2024
Such an amazing read! I cannot wait for the second instalment! Such a phenomenal author 😍
4 reviews
May 5, 2024
This book and series is a must read!!!!
A real page turner that had me hooked. My favorite series so far by Missy Walker.
Profile Image for Miss Rachael Calver.
289 reviews
December 24, 2024
I was gripped with book 1 from this trilogy. Couldn't put it down & read it in a day & started the 2nd book straightaway
162 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2025
Uhhhh looooved!

The story line, the characters, the angst, the chemistry, the hate, the love, the sacrifices! Great start to the series & left me wanting more.

Looooved it Missy xx
Profile Image for Elena.
201 reviews4 followers
May 24, 2024
At the end it was too much “i am so in love” that it became too cheesy :) but it’s ok, i forgive this once :)
43 reviews
August 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! It had me hooked from the beginning! I loved the introduction to Luca and Emilia, with their spicy chemistry and funny banter at times mixed in with the twists and turns of two people from two very different worlds. One of the funniest lines is when Luca kept insisting on calling Emilia 'Detective' as a way to frustrate her before he started doing it to flirt with her. If you enjoy a handsome, alpha male with a protective streak for the woman he falls in love with, then Luca is your guy! 🥰 I found myself quickly rooting for them, and being curious how they would beat all of their barriers to be together. This is a MUST READ and it will leave you ready to grab the next book in the trilogy!! ❤️
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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