Dangerously Kept

McDermott Empire #2

by S.R. Clark

After finally allowing herself to love again, Harper wakes up miles away from the men that have kept her safe, and in the hands of those determined to destroy her from the inside out. Unsure of whether or not she can rely on Ronan, Mac, and Finn to save her, Harper must find the strength to free herself.
But if she does, how is she meant to face what comes next?

With a world of unknowns hanging in the balance, Ronan, Mac, and Finn know two things for certain. They are willing to burn the world down around them to get her back, and just as they own her heart, she owns theirs.
They just need to figure out how to keep her.

*Dangerously Kept is Part Two of a duet. In order to fully understand the story you should read Part One, Dangerously Safe, first. It's a reverse harem romance intended for mature readers only. The FMC doesn't choose between love interests. Be sure to check the content/trigger warnings in the front of the book before proceeding.

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Mafia Romance, Dark

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 2, 2024

About the author

S.R. Clark is an indie author who lives in West Virginia with her husband, toddler, and hound dog. She has a soft spot for characters who live unapologetically for themselves and who will lay down their lives for the ones they love. When she’s not writing, she loves getting lost in a good book, cooking/baking, and exploring with her family.

Reviews

[Megan Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the pleasure to read this ARC. I don’t even know where to start! I was hooked at the first chapter! Harpers growth as a character was amazing! This author made sure to capture her relationship with each of them while also capturing their relationship as a whole! The 3 male characters all bring different personalities that complete Harper! And the spice … yes!! The spice she has with each of them is so different yet when they are together they all seem to mesh so well! The plot twists had me on the edge of my seat! There was a perfect amount of plot drama romance spice and comedy! The brothers banter had me laughing on more than one occasion! Thank you so much for choosing me as an ARC reader I loved this book!

[ellesbooklife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy moly macaroni and cheese. 👀
I absolutely LOVED this duet. Was recommended by the bestie and mannnnnnnnn. Ronan, Finn & Mac are 🔥🔥🔥 and Harper is literally the luckiest girl EVER. Like dang girl. 👀
These men know the definition of worship and obviously. Ya girl is here for it.
So well written and I was completely sucked in from page one! Seeing the love these characters have for each other was everything. Adored Harper and her infectious personality. It’s no wonder she has three big mad mafia men obsessed with her.
Complete with HEA 🩷
Absolutely can not wait for the next story with Sebastian & Luca!

[Lyndsley Baillargeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the beginning with Dangerously Safe. When it ended on the biggest cliffhanger I couldn't wait to see what would happen to these amazing captivating characters. Once I received a copy of Dangerously Kept I was hooked. I couldn't put it down. This book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Especially the love that these three men Finn, Ronan, and Mac have for Harper. They are going to hold a special place in my heart for a very long time. There are few times in my experience that the sequel is at the same caliber as the original book the author truly outdid herself. If you are into some amazing well-done spicy scenes this book is for you!

[Brittany Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stress I stressed, the paces I paced, the laughs I LAUGHED! If that wasn’t enough the whiplash at the end was basically the cherry on top. I love when a book takes you on a damn good ride and man was this an adventure. A really spicy emotional adventure!

Immediately starting from the cliff hanger dangerously safe left us on I just stayed on my toes.

We really got to know the characters so much more and I realllllly love the variety of (well developed) personalities the mmcs have. Cormac is just such a teddy bear I wanna hug him always! Finn is funnnnnnny! Like clever af and so witty! And then there’s Ronan with the world on his shoulders but he would not be afraid to destroy it at any minute for Harper.

The ending was intense! But HEAs are my favorite and this one was wellllll earned! Sad that the duet is over but look forward to what’s next from S.R Clark

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the last one. I actually really enjoyed this one. I can’t wait to see Luca & co. I need some mm in my life 😂

[Katia Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great ending!! Absolutely loved this duet and can’t wait for what else this new author will write! The guys are all chefs kiss I don’t know who to choose from and the spice? Oh my the spice! Soooo good
Highly recommend

[jor · Rating 5 out of 5]

For both books, the overall rating is 5/5! If you read my review for book 1, this is just that with a little more added :)

I love a good Mafia RH romance. I was so excited to start this duet it's been on my TBR for a minute. Harper took absolutely everything with ease. Of course, she had her moments, I mean who wouldn't when they find out their whole life has practically been a lie and now they need to go into hiding with three (hot) men they don't even know?

At first, I thought the romance between Harper, Mac, and Finn was happening too quickly but then I was like I'm loving the instant connection. I love how they tried their best to make her feel comfortable and safe even when Ronan was being an ass. When Ronan finally came around it just made everything 10x better.

I absolutely love every MMC with all my heart, but there was just something about Finn that made me so excited to read his chapters. Just like his brothers, he’d been through so much. His parents being killed, him trying so hard to please the family that took him, and then the end of book one when Liam explained the reason he really took him in. My heart ached for Finn😭 Him never blaming Harper for what happened to him parents was something else I loved! In some stories that could've easily been like some type of revenge plot but I’m glad it wasn't. Mac was the absolute best. He was hilarious and so attentive to Harper. Ronan. Even when he was acting like an ass I loved him. But the Ronan that actually let himself love Harper? That made me love him even more. It was like a complete turn from the beginning and I was obsessed!

Also, loved getting to know Enzo and the rest of the guys! So excited for their book!

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this duet so much

I was hooked when I read dangerously safe, and when this book, book 2 came out I jumped on it asap!!! I loved these characters in book 1 but to see the growth and love grow between them all in this book was everything!!! She pulled so many emotions from me, I could go from teary eyed to laughing and stressing all within minutes!!! These books will take you on a whole ride and I'm so sad its over!!! Haper, Finn, Ronan & Mac will forever live rent free 💜

Each character has their own little personality with one another!! Harper and Ronans banter will forever be my favorite!! Mac is such a teddy bear at heart and is definitely ment to be a house husband 😂 do not mess with his coffee machine. Finn, ugh Finn he just has this way of making your heart melt

[Jaquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being left with a heart-wrenching cliffhanger from Dangerously Safe—leaving me itching to read more—I'm happy to say this book went above and beyond continuing the story from where it left off!

The praise, the nicknames, the spice, and the new kinks alone had me turning the pages faster than I have with any other book. I loved getting to follow Harper and the guys' journey, emotional struggles, and growth as they fought to protect their own.

Harper, Ronan, Mac, and Finn hold a special place in my heart. I am addicted to these characters! The MMC(s) make my heart melt and race at the same time. They are officially my new favorite book boyfriends!

[Alicia Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper, Ronan, Mac & Finn

This is the second part of the duet and it really is the perfect ending of Harper, Mac, Finn and Ronans story. It has just the right amount of everything that a book should have to make it a really good book. I was torn between giving it 4⭐️ or 5⭐️ because it is such a great book but like the first one it has a good amount of mistakes, not as many as the first book though and it didn’t really change how great this story is so I went with 5⭐️ because I really did love their story. It’s a dark romance so check the trigger warnings but I definitely recommend both books and I can’t wait to see what the author comes out with next.

[Lilah Echols · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book more than made up for the cliffhanger that book one ended on! I am obsessed with these characters and how they all fit together perfectly 🖤

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss ma’am does no wrong in her writing 💅 if you need a harem with three possessive & protective brothers this is it 😮‍💨🙂‍↕️

[Bookish Gem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dangerously kept

Spice level 5!
I had the pleasure of being part of the ARC team for Dangerously Kept and I couldn’t put it down!!! After the mental cliff hanger we were left with from Dangerously Safe, we are thrown right back in to it.
The way the varying emotions are portrayed really gets you in the feels the entire way through!
I loved watching Harper grow and find her confidence as well as the boys all finding peace too

Up there as a firm favourite and I can not wait to read the next instalment

[Aileen Pieterse · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Mc Dermoth empire duet start is book 2 this is a true love story what the 3 Brothers will do to fullest extent for the one the love my personal favorite brother will be Rohan. The pot and twist in the story line is done excellent and the author wrote the story so that you this want more and more and you can't put the book dowm.

[BRI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Obsessed!!

I might be biased because I love S.R. Clark but this book was phenomenal! I was deeply engrossed and could not stop thinking/reading this book. Stayed up all night just to finish the last few chapters. The way she was able to capture the essence, emotions, pain, etc. of these characters is remarkable. I fell in love with these characters as well as the new ones be introduced. And now let’s talk about spice because this deserves to 4 hot peppers because holy wow was this too good! The dirty talk, the positions, everything had my mouth opened in shook. Definitely worth the read and then some! Can’t wait for the next duet I just know it’s gonna be so good <3

[Leah Salters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

After the crazy cliff hanger from Dangerously Safe, I was really looking forward to this release! It did not disappoint! Love the dynamics that we got to see a lot more of this time, kink discoveries, the softness of the guys, and even our new friends.

[Nicanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚Book = Duet 2/2
💕Burn = Fast,
🎭OW/OM Drama = No,
🐺 Alpha Men = Absolutely, 💯
🔥Heat/spice = 9/10,
😬Angst = Low,
🍆🌮 MM/FF = No,
🔸RH/ Poly = RH,
🔸POV = 1st Person, MPV,
🔸Genre = Contemporary Mafia Romance
🔹Tropes = MFMM✨Mafia Men✨Possëssive MMC’s✨ Touch/hurt her you get unälived✨Sweet & Sassy FMC
😈Kink = Brat🫦Light Bondäge🫦Praise🫦Diřty talk🫦Spańking🫦DP & DVP🫦Group Sëx🫦Breath play🫦Sëxųal degrädation🫦Daddy Dom (and a little bit of Lady Dom😜)
‼️Triggers = Talk of Parents death❗️Viölence❗️Gųns❗️
Mųrder❗️Kidnäpping❗️Thręat of räpe❗️Physical beätings & abüse to the FMC (not from the MMC’s)❗️Deäth & Törture❗️

What a brilliant duet, I have loved every bit. I Highly recommend.

Wow, sweet Harper has been through a lot in her life and still is due to her psychotic grandfather, but is great to see her bounce back stronger with the help of her very sëxy and delicious men. Ronan, Mac & Finn along with Harper have faced their own demons along the way in this duet, it was wonderful to read how they overcame their personal battles with each others support, coming through the other side so much stronger as a family unit.

This book has more angst to it than the first, as the antagonist and his goons ramps up their threats and psycho behaviour. It’s down as a dark romance but for me personally this isn’t dark whatsoever but I love the plot and the main characters. They all had wonderful personalities and I do love the men’s possessive behaviour of Harper and how much they just worshipped everything about her so thoroughly. Their sëxy times together as a group or individual were super HOT 🥵 and there is a lot of them!!!
The side characters were also brilliant and I can’t wait to read Luca and his team/partners book next!

[B_Star22 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my review for the duet..
5 ⭐️ read! Plot and smut!
These books… wow! Love and generally only read multi-POV for RHs so thank you for that!
I loved these characters. These men are total over protective mafia men but yet soft with Harper. It made me connect to them and love them on an emotional level, which I find is sometimes lacking in RHs. My FAVORITE PART… They kept it 100% honest with Harper from the start.. god was that refreshing! They respected her opinions from the beginning and I don’t realize how over that drama I was until I read these books. It gave such a mature vibe to the whole story. The plot was there and strong… Declan (one of my least favorite and favorite villains at the same time.. evil heartless man).
I also loved the smut here. There was plenty of it! I do not usually like female doms but with Harper and Mac’s relationship.. it worked and it was so hot! Fin and Ronan did not disappoint as Doms at all. Enjoyed it all. Great job!!!!
Very very few grammatical errors.. great editing and I appreciate that very much!!!!!!
My only complaint.. the internal monologue got repetitive and I did skim some of it (sorry!)
Overall.. 5 star book.
I loved these characters side characters and I cannot wait for the next installments to be done so I can read their story next! I am invested! I loved the dynamic this author painted already and cannot wait to dive into those guys!

[Emily Redfern · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s done it again. I freaking DEVOURED this duet in 2 days.

Harper just made me love her even more by the end of this. Talk about ‘go with the flow’ GURL she just went along for the ride (literally) and was pleased to make her guys happy 😂

I think this second book was well paced. There were no real boring bits, and the spice, spiced 🤌🏼

‘Considering I’m usually sandwiched between three giants who constantly do everything they can to turn me on. Like breathing. How dare they.”

Um, also I’ve never fallen in love with a character/characters from another series so hard but LUCA AND SEB?! Come onnnnn. I’m jumping straight into the Vittori books next 🤟🏼

“Luca follows Enzo, who’s bitching that they already finished the Meat Lover’s pizza, and rubs a hand down the back of Sebastian’s hair. Sebastian doesn’t say anything but looks up at him the way Harper does me.”

I am so excited to read more of this authors stuff WOOOO.

Also lol side note on the actual 🌶️ - very well done. Not cheesy or graphically over done (which can be common in RH) and the male characters were written so well in regards to boundaries, sharing and communicating with each other: very well written spice.

[Livy &#x1f49c; dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 again not enough stars.
When I thought I couldn't love them anymore, I read part two and boy oh boy did this have me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't do anything while I was reading this book, I was glued to my iPad, for the whole afternoon, I devoured this.

171 highlights in this one, my god their thoughts their words.

My heart broke, my breath was stolen, and I blushed and kicked my little feet, too, during this book. When Anianne_R said there was spice, she wasn't joking. I will forever be a reverse harem girl. And adding in Irish Mafia, sign me up.

I can 100 and 10 percent say I will never hear Hozier's Work Song without thinking of this book.
this book had me sucked in, captivated and fully invested. I could go on and on with how much I love each of the MMCS, Mac, Ronan and Finn, oh my lord, you stole my heart. And most importantly, the FMC Harper... I imma be honest, in some mafia romances, I don't love the FMC, but I fell in love with her as much as the MMCS.

S.R. Clark, you have my heart.
I don't think I will ever not be thinking about the Donovan-Dermotts.
I would say this duet is in my top 10 books I have ever read.

[Amanda LeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well....My boys didn't disappoint once again.

Book 2 and final book in this awesome series and I'm sad to see it end. Especially with it meaning I have to leave behind my favorite men. Ronan, Finn and Mac.

It starts out with how book 1 ended. Harper is gone and Ronan and....wellll....we don't know.

This book was sad, happy, crazy, funny and there was plenty of smut to keep you well entertained.

Declan is still a jerk, you fall for the guys even more, Harpers character grows so much throughout this book, and there's a HUGE plot twist that you won't expect at all.

I very much enjoyed the story line, the character developments, the action, the fun banter between the characters, how they take care of Harper and love her. It was so well written, and I just loved it so much.

Highly recommend and will do a more in detailed when released.

Rating: 5 ⭐
Spicy: 5🌶️

[Danielle Fielding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel did not disappoint. The characters continued to develop in fascinating ways, making me even more invested in their journey. There’s a specific plot point that made me so happy to see written that way, it was so well done.

I didn’t think I could love the characters more, but the way they respect boundaries, check in, and ensure the FMC always has a voice and a say is arguably unmatched. It adds such a refreshing dynamic that sets this story apart.

The plot remained engaging and exciting, with a solid amount of spice to keep things interesting. And the ending? Absolutely beautiful, it even made me tear up. While some parts were expected, one specific decision hit me right in the feels and left me all mushy inside.

This duet has quickly become a favourite of mine, and I can’t recommend it enough!

[Ashtyn Shaeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want this book to end!
Good plot, good banter, the best spice!
I liked the writing style, it flowed very well.
These men are PERFECTION! I don't know which I love more. The things them Boys say 😍 from the filth to their love for Harper. My oh my!
And Harper's glow up 💪 you go, girl! I'm so happy she got her HEA!

I'm on to the Vittori Enterprises Duet & i seen multiple Easter eggs through the McDermott Empire Duet! 🤞 there will be cameos of the Donovan-McDermott's.

Now I need a novella or another book about their future!!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiktok brought me to Dangerously Safe but S.R. Clark's writing talent brought me back. After finishing book 1, I couldn't think about anything but starting book 2. I love how honest and loving they are. Though I would glady read a small short story every so often to get a small glimpse into their lives, I think this story wrapped beautifully. I will miss them, but I have no doubt that Clark will make me fall for more of her characters soon.

[T.P.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright, so things here progress and the gentlemen get the chance to face their own demons. The mafia games are dangerous, hence why cunning minds and good strategy are a deadly combination. I did find myself more fascinated with some of the side characters though.
Overall, this was an interesting duet.

[Alli Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part two picks up right where part one left off! Safe to say you will be hooked from the first chapter.

This book is a roller coaster of emotion. I laughed, stressed out & paced the room wondering what was coming next.

We really get to know the MMC personalities more in this book. We have a Teddy bear, witty & clever, and burn the world down for her. We get it all!

I’m sad the duet is over but excited to see what comes next from S.R Clark. 🫶🏼

[Jessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this was a STEAMY and fast moving duet!

I absolutely loved this series, and the characters involved in this mafia reverse harem. The plot didn’t waste any time, jumping right in to set quite a brisk pace that simultaneously managed to never feel rushed. At a combined total of 750+ pages, it would have been very easy for all of the sex scenes to get stale, but this work of erotica art was some of the least repetitive and spiciest reads I have ever read!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️. Loved this duet! It did drag on a bit at times but I really enjoyed it. Can’t wait to read about Luca and his team!!!!

[Carolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Necessary

It was really not necessary to write a second book, etwas cheesy, corny and cliché, alzo wat was the point for her to be captive for to weeks

[Hayley Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Absolutely amazing
Was hooked from the 1st page
Follows on from the first book
Please check your triggers but enjoy 😍😍