Obey

Mafia Doms #3

by Adara Wolf, R. Phoenix

I thought I was over it--over him. But eight years after he betrayed me, we're suddenly working for the same organization. It's impossible to be professional when all I can think about is how much I want to hurt him, make him suffer the way I suffered.

And how much I want to completely wreck him, until he's a mess of pleasure and pain.

I know I can't trust him. But no matter how hard I try, I can't stay away.


I never expected to see Knives again. I put that part of my life behind me. Yet now we're both made men in the same organization. the boss is forcing us to work together.

There's no way for me to apologize. I'll take whatever he gives me, the good and the bad. I deserve to suffer.

Sometimes, I can't help but wish that I deserved to be happy, too.

This is the third book of the Mafia Doms series. It can be read as a standalone, but it is best enjoyed after reading Submit and Control. Obey is a “mid-gray-to-dark” enemies to lovers novel from Adara Wolf & R. Phoenix. Please look inside for more detailed notes.

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Dark, Crime, Audiobook

256 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2024

About the author

I write almost exclusive m/m, but I have a fondness for bisexual protagonists. I enjoy a lot of darker themes, so you'll see a lot of that around here.

When I’m not writing, I’m reading, painting, playing video games, and rescuing cats. I also enjoy learning about languages and other cultures.

If you're ever curious about the contents of my works, I put content notes on my website (http://adarawolf.com)

You can also follow me on facebook and twitter. I also have a Patreon account

Reviews

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

About this book:
-Enemies to Lovers
-Second Chance
-Dark Mafia Romance
-BDSM
-HEA

Obey is the third book in the Mafia Doms book series and can be read as a standalone. But like any book in a series, you will be missing some of the previous stories of already established relationships from side characters that appear.

Knives and Maddox had tension going on with the enemies vibe going on in Control and I was so excited to get their story and know why they didn't get along. Obey was lighter yet still dark compared to previous books in this series. It does have TWs, which I do encourage to take a look before reading.

I found this book to be funny yet filled with suspense (because swamps), the change of location, and the addition of side characters made it interesting because so much was going on in that town. As always, I love it when we get to read about previous characters. Could we possibly get a story of a certain person mentioned from that town? There are so many possibilities you never know...

Also, it literally made me laugh when Maddox thinks Kyran can actually tell Silvano what to do or change his mind. I mean, even Evan couldn't keep his laughter in because 👀 come on, Maddox, there is no way Silvano doesn't make Kyran submit every chance he can.

If you are looking for an enemies to lovers who get a second chance at love after many years apart with suspenseful moments that leads them through swamp infested waters handcuffed together plus the one bed moment at a sketchy looking hotel with a HEA ending consider this book for your next read!

[♡ Dakota ♡ (Sarcasm is my middle name) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three Stars. I was kind of disappointed in this one. I really thought this would be my favorite one in the series.

[Caia · Rating 5 out of 5]

//I should stop this. I should tell him no. I shouldn’t let myself be trapped in fucking closets with him when I know perfectly well how this is going to go.//

Ah Maddox, you had no chance😏

If there’s something that’s like catnip it’s a proper e2l hatefuck 😏🥵
And Knives didn’t disappoint 🤗

While this book was lighter on the dark side I still loved it so much.
Can’t wait for the audiobook to drop, so I can indulge in them again and again 😍

Adara & Raissa truly blessed me with the whole Mafia Doms Series 💛

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot, the second half of it was better than the first. I'm note sure how I feel about second-chances romances, but it worked here.

[Perdita]

The years that had passed had made love fester into his hatred and my self-loathing, but now…
Now we have the chance for something new.

God these covers are absolutely mouthwatering , and they totally match the doms' vibe. While it didn’t nail the enemies-to-lovers trope perfectly, it was filled with anger and bitterness. Bonus points for Knives owning up to his petty, immature behavior and admitting it all came from a place of anger.

The hate-fking? Hot. That last chapter? Even hotter. While this was notably darker than the previous books in the series, the previous ones had better chemistry between the two MCs. In the first book, I absolutely loved Silvano, and in the second, Evan. But here, I struggled to connect with either of them. That’s why I feel conflicted giving it 4 stars, which I gave the previous two.

You can garb the Prequel to this for free here! Thou I suggest reading it after the book to fully enjoy the read.

[Ashley -Goldstarreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome story in the Mafia Doms series. Knives and Maddox are a hot and combustible edition to the group. Tho they come across as enemies to lovers, I’m not sure they try qualify as enemies, but definitely lots of anger fueled sex, lots of anger and betrayal to get over and put behind them. Maddox is a capo in the Cresci family after being promoted, and he is struggling to really find his footing after a couple mistakes that fall on his shoulders leads to the disappointment of Silvano. Knives is a bodyguard working under Evan, and while he hasn’t messed up in his job, his anger and betrayed feelings over Maddox affect him to the point that he behaves like an immature child. So when the last mistake happens, a shipment of weapons stolen again, Silvano assigns Maddox and Knives to the task of retrieving the shipment, since it technically falls on Maddox’s shoulders. The two will have to learn to work together to retrieve what belongs to their organization. The two head off to Louisiana to figure it out and take back what is theirs where they run into more trouble than they bargained for. During that time, these two can’t stop their draw to each other. They are like magnets, pulled together. Their chemistry is off the charts. Maddox is submissive and loves his pleasure with a large bite of pain. And Knives is dominant and wants to be the only one to hurt Maddox. They are so dang hot together, the steamy scenes sizzle with the heat. Lots of action and adventure, heat and anger, and even some mushy feelings. Another well written story from this awesome duo of authors.

[Theresa Derwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Cut is the Deepest

We got a preview of Maddox and Knives at the end of the last book.
Ten years ago, Knives ended up in prison for eight years as a seventeen year old Maddox ran from a crime scene leaving Knives behind.
They'd been young and in love but Maddox had been frightened.
Now, they have angry sex but there's still unresolved feelings.
After a gun shipment is stolen, Silvano sends both of them to Louisiana to find the culprits.
They end up in danger, lost, and get in a fair number of fights but work through it all along the way.
The swamp scenes are the best, as are the small town's adoption of the deadly duo.
It's funny, sweet if lethal, spicy and full of angst, but worth it.
Great fun.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knives has the strongest aversion for Maddox, and he hates it that the man allows him to use his body for some (great) intense h*te s€x. No not ‘great’, Knives can’t think that way about the man he despises, who f*cked him up many years ago.

Watching him submit to another man in a BDSM club makes Knives see red, he’s furious. The only man to hurt Maddox is he, no one else can touch him.

Maddox wishes Knives listen to him, hear him out, but Knives doesn’t let him. It’s okay, Maddox knows he deserves to be treated like the scum he is.

Forced by the mob boss Maddox and Knives have to work together, yup that’s asking for disaster.

Oh my freaking goodness, it was awesome to watch these men. Their chemistry was off the charts.
The story was a great mix of darkness, adventure, crime, feels, and holy moly hotness.
This narrative is exactly an example of why I love reading!

[Lillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Adara Wolf and R. Phoenix for allowing me to read a copy of this book. I want to disclose that I did read as a standalone and have not read the other books in the series yet. I still ate this book up and binged it in one setting. The tension, the ANGST, the action, and everything else in this book had me wanting more and more. I cannot wait to check out more from these authors in the future and highly recommend this book.

[audiobook_chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

If i remember correctly Knives & Maddox appeared in book 2 and were at each other throats and this book was no different . They took i love to hate you to the next level and yet they couldn’t stop jumping each other and it was so hot , Knives and his dirty talk 🥵
When they are sent on a job together and things go awry they end up stranded in the swamps and they finally tell each other some truths. I think this might be my favourite of the series i just lived for Mad & Knives .

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feb 2025
Kindle edition

Read for a group challenge week 7. Picked because it was the last book in a trilogy and Knives was mentioned a lot in the previous book. Maddox was adorable. Think he was softer than Kyran when submitting. A lot of subspace, tension between Knives and Maddox, along with swamp hunting and trying to decide if Sylvano was out to get them. Felt a little sorry for Carl. Glad the Fox interaction was kept to a minimum. Cute couple.

[Cyndy]

DNF at 35%
It’s just not working for me.

[read•me•romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤🔥Obey // Mafia Doms 3 // Adara Wolf and R Phoenix 🔥🖤

Obey, is another fantastic read in the dark and steamy Mafia Doms World! Knives and Maddox are former lovers, current enemies with benefits and mafia colleagues! AND LET ME TELL YOU, they put the hate in hate 6 😈! These two have a past and it takes a life or death situation to bring them back together!
It was great to revisit these wild characters from each book in this read! If you haven’t started the Mafia Dom series, let this be your sign 😉!

🖤Dark MM Mafia Romance
🔥 Enemies with Benefits
🖤 2nd Chance
🔥 Forced Proximity Mafia Mission
🖤 Only One Bed
🔥 B- D- S- M Ds
🖤 Jealous/ Possessive

🔥 tags:
Strict Top/ Bottom: Yes
B- D- S- M Ds
Dirty talk, Degradation
Hate 6
S+ M
Exhibition
Fighting as foreplay
B•nd age
Edg- ing
O control
Begging
C-m Play

✅ book has listed trigger warning:Yes

Official Description: Knives:
I thought I was over it--over him. But eight years after he betrayed me, we're suddenly working for the same organization. It's impossible to be professional when all I can think about is how much I want to hurt him, make him suffer the way I suffered.

And how much I want to completely wreck him, until he's a mess of pleasure and pain.

I know I can't trust him. But no matter how hard I try, I can't stay away.

Maddox:
I never expected to see Knives again. I put that part of my life behind me. Yet now we're both made men in the same organization. Worse: the boss is forcing us to work together.

There's no way for me to apologize. I'll take whatever he gives me, the good and the bad. I deserve to suffer.

Sometimes, I can't help but wish that I deserved to be happy, too.

This is the third book of the Mafia Doms series. It can be read as a standalone, but it is best enjoyed after reading Submit and Control. Obey is a “mid-gray-to-dark” enemies to lovers novel from Adara Wolf & R. Phoenix. Please look inside for more detailed notes.

💋 @read.me.romance

[Jen389 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four ⭐ for this book. Three ⭐ for the series overall.

My review is based on the entire series.

I’m torn between Obey and Control as my favorite of the three.

The first book? Not great. Silvano came off as a total jerk, and Kieran... bless him, but he was dumber than a bag of rocks. They honestly deserved each other. The ending had its moments, but Silvano's behavior throughout really soured the experience for me.

Then came Control, and I loved Evan. He was like a golden retriever mixed with a blue heeler — if you know, you know. Just stupid cute. Helios, on the other hand, was so deep in self-sabotage it got frustrating. Even by the end, I didn’t feel like he was fully committed, which made me feel bad for Evan.

And now we get to Obey. Maddox and Knife! I liked both main characters from the start. You could really feel their pain, the betrayal, and all that heavy self-loathing. I genuinely wanted a happy ending for them.

That said, the BDSM aspect felt a little off — kind of awkward and stilted. Maddox just wanted to be hurt and claimed he had no limits, which didn’t read as submissive to me. It felt more like he was chasing subspace like a reckless fix. As for Knife, despite being labeled a Dom, he didn’t really seem to know what he was doing. The scenes themselves were pretty underwhelming.

But the ending? Easily the most satisfying of the series. I truly felt like Maddox and Knife got the best happy ending out of everyone.

[RomanceReaderExtraordinaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book number 3 in the series, and I enjoyed it so much. This is a second chance romance, between Knives and Maddox.

Eight years prior to the events of the book, Maddox and Knives had a falling out that led to a separation where Knives ends up in jail and fully resentful of Maddox, leaving him to take the fall alone.

They meet again and there is a push/pull between them because the feelings are still there but there is no trust between them. In their time apart Maddox works his way up to capo in the Cresci organization, and Knives comes to the organization as a member of the security team.

After a mishap with a shipment Maddox and Knives are thrown together on a trip to recover and discover what went wrong. Both are not looking forward to being in such close proximity to each other or having to depend on each other when they don’t have any trust between them.

This book follows their story and how they build back their relationship and trust together while facing off with an unknown foe. I liked the backstory for Maddox and Knives and how they worked through their history and present together.

I also enjoyed the little cameos from other characters we love, like Silvano, Kyran, Cristano, and Fox.

Though this is book three, it can be read as a standalone.

Thank you so much, Adara and R. Pheonix, for the ARC!

[Aleja · Rating 3 out of 5]

🖤 MM Mafia Romance
🌲 Dark Romance
🖤 Enemies to Lovers
🌲 Second Chance
🖤 Forced Proximity
🌲 Only One Bed
🖤 Bondage
🌲 Hurt / Comfort

Admito que después de un año y dos meses —y después de haberlo empezado como tres veces— por fin terminé esta historia, y la verdad es que no podría haberme gustado más.
Aunque lo empecé varias veces, no lo dejaba porque no me gustara o no me entretuviera; más bien era como si no quisiera terminarlo todavía.

Maddox y Nayeem (aka Knives) me encantaron muchísimo, tanto de manera individual como en pareja. Conecté sin dudas más con Mads que con Knives, pero este último tenía un no sé qué que me fascinaba.
Si bien Maddox es quien está más conectado con su lado vulnerable, no deja de ser un jefe de la mafia con un montón de gente leal a él, y eso me encantaba porque a veces me olvidaba y pensaba que Mads era un twink… y las descripciones de repente me lo recordaban, jajaj.

El ambiente oscuro mezclado con humor, especialmente durante toda la situación del pantano, me tuvo atrapada. Las partes en las que los habitantes del pueblo les soltaban sus problemas mientras ellos mostraban menos empatía que un tiburón fueron simplemente icónicas, jajaj.

PD: muero por leer la siguiente historia🔥

[Scatteredashes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great second chance romance between Knives and Maddox. If you've read the ones that have come before, then you've for sure have picked up on the tension between these two. I think this one can stand on it's own, but I do love this series and recommend that you read it in order. Maddox and Knives knew each other in their teens and were an item. Then something happens and Knives is betrayed by Maddox and gets locked up for a lot of years. Surprise surprise, they now work for the same mob boss. Tired of their bickering, he sends the two on a job to retrieve stolen goods. There's a bit of a toxic beginning to these two due to the trust issues and Maddox's self-loathing. I did like how these two finally found the beginning sparks of their trust in the other and then Knives possessiveness became something good rather than destructive. There's definitely some violence and the action is nicely paced with some fun/ridiculous characters thrown in. It's a fun ride and I enjoyed this one a lot!

[Emilyrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this series I get hooked into them and can't put the book down until I reach the end! This one was no different; Maddox and Knives (or should I call him Forks or Spoons!?) were both brilliant characters with plenty of backstory between them. I think this book would work as a standalone because it's a self-contained plot all about them and a mission but I did really enjoy it as part of the New Bristol world with all those familiar secondary characters. These two had chemistry in spades and there was actually quite a sweet build up from anger/hatred to kindness and protectiveness. There were moments with a lot of big feelings but they were also interspersed with plenty of funny bits too. It was well paced, full of action and I really enjoyed their HEA. It's not quite as dark as some of the other books in the series but still has its moments so read any trigger warnings. If you like this genre then you definitely need to read this asap! For me it has to be 5 stars and I can't wait for more!

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knives thought he was over him. But eight years after he betrayed him, we're suddenly working for the same organization. It's impossible to be professional when all I can think about is how much I want to hurt him and make him suffer the way I suffered. And how much I want to completely wreck him until he's a mess of pleasure and pain. No matter how hard he tries, he can't stay away. Maddox: never expected to see Knives again having put that part of his life behind him. Yet now we're both made men in the same organization. Worse: the boss is forcing us to work together. There's no way for Maddox to apologize. so he'll take whatever he gives him, the good and the bad. He deserves to suffer. Sometimes, Maddox can't help but wish that he deserved to be happy, too.

I enjoyed this story although I did feel that the anger from Knives went a little too far. There was so much passion from them both I can understand how they were made to work together. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

[J.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My love for second chance romance strikes again.

When they were teenagers and together, Maddox abandoned Knives. Because of this, they didn't meet again for years before finding themselves coincidentally working for the same organization. Knives wasn't over the mistake Maddox had made. He loathed him for that but still wasn't able to stay away. Maddox felt guilty and had hated himself for years because of what he'd done.

Their relationship was completely broken. They couldn't even be civil with each other without snapping. There was so much hurt and distrust between them that I'd wondered how they would mend things. It's not like there was a misunderstanding or anything. Maddox did mess up. Badly. Despite all this, the love they still had for each other, buried behind all their ugly feelings, made them try again.

Btw, I feel like they both think that Silvano is a sub and a bottom. They were definitely fooled by his twinkish appearance. That was kind of funny.

[what_emmareadnext · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait to jump into this book as I loved the last two in the series and I was not disappointed! Our MMCs are Knives and Maddox, who have a complex history of love, betrayal and heartbreak. When they are forced to work together to locate a missing shipment, they begin to work through their emotions together.
I loved the emotional element of their backstory, which added another dimension to their story. Both characters start the story by fighting their feelings for the other, giving into some pretty hot hate sex. Once they are forced together to work and sleep (one bed!!!) they begin to work through their feelings properly.
Both characters are written really well. Maddox, despite his role in the Cresci family, is a natural submissive, enjoying the bite of pain. Knives is a dominant who enjoys giving Maddox that pain he needs as well as wholesome aftercare.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s well written, has two complex MMCs and is hot as hell!
Available now on KU!

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knives and Maddox have a past.
When they were teens, they were involved.
They got in some trouble, caught and Maddox ran, leaving Knives to bear the full weight.
Now Maddox works for the Ceresi family and Knives has just been hired.
Knives hates Maddox for the prison stint and Maddox blames himself for it so he allows Knives to treat him horribly.
Even to the extent of lots of secret, hate filled trysts in closets.
Someone has stolen a shipment from their boss and he decides to kill to birds with one stone.
He sends them on a mission to find his property while forcing them together to work through their issues.
They end up on the run in the swamp with Maddox being injured.
They have to hide out in a small town where everyone is desperate for gossip and they're the flavor of the month.
Their interactions with the townspeople were equally sweet and hilarious.
They finally work through there issues with Knives forgiving Maddox and Maddox also forgiving himself.
The

[Marina Garnica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loooooooved too much this book. My favourite one from the mafia doms series.

The hate relationship between Maddox and Nayeem is amazing, I could feel the tension, the unability to keep their hands out of the other, the internal conflict when they were turning their hate on themselves after they couldn't resist the other.

I like also how they develope their tastes in kinks from their traumas. Knives needing to degrade, objectify and hurt the person who betrayed him in the past and Maddox leaning into his masochist side, taking whatever Knives gives him as he considers he deserves it.

The only thing that could have made even greater the end was if they played the fantasy from Knives to collar and leash and not just taking care of the ones that Maddox mentions. That would have make me give it a 6 out of 5 stars if even possible.

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the ARC, I voluntarily give it an honest review. Maddox and Knives have no other options after all, with Silvano's order to work together over the ever present issues of missing orders. The love/hate relationship between Maddox and Knives was one that burned up the pages.
Can you feel bad and giggly at th sametime? Because it started with the twink and followed throughout.

Knives questioning Silvano over the order was a bit funny, after all that more of the opportunity to frack with Maddox over the past. Which brings up more issues in the present than without an ounces of thought.

City boy in the bayou's, yep thats going be funny!
With all the mixed up feelings, good thing they are with a new crew, because a flashing sign is less blazing.

[Gabrielle Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knives and Maddox do not play well together. Their past has a big influence on the way they are acting and everyone has had enough. The two need to work things out or it will be the end of both of them.
I loved getting to be along for the ride as these two figure things out. While they hate each other there is no denying that they also still have feelings for each other and nothing can erase those. Maddox and Knives are both good men but past mistakes are all that they can see. Yet when push comes to shove, they learn that they must trust one another. Their story is fast paced and pulled me in right from the start. Knives and Maddox endeared themselves to this reader and I loved seeing these two find their way.

[Mia Fury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting patiently (ish) for Knives and Maddox’s story ever since we had that tasty hint of their story in the previous book, so I was so excited to get stuck in!

Maddox is a curious character, a Capo for the Cresci crime family, and yet so unsure of the longevity of his position, and his abilities, particularly when Knives shows up, a blast from his past and his one big regret. Knives is a super dominant, hot as hell enforcer, and owns Maddox from the very first page.

I love their back story, and I love the hell they’re thrown into in this book. I may be walking around like a zombie now, but it was worth the lack of sleep. Great book. Absolutely loved it, and the entire series. As always, loved the cameos from previous book couples. These writers never disappoint!!

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fantastic installment in the Mafia Doms series, featuring Knives and Maddox as the latest fiery addition to the group. While they initially come across as enemies to lovers, their dynamic is more about intense, anger-fueled passion than true enmity. And boy, was there fire. When another shipment of weapons goes missing, they must work together to recover it, and things go south quickly.

These two characters are drawn together, and their chemistry comes off the page. The steamy scenes between them are sizzling, adding heat to a story packed with action, adventure, and even some tender moments. Obey has become my favorite read out of this series, and it's another five-star for this duo.

[Shannon Winning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action till the very end!

Such a good read!
The book definitely catches your attention from the very first page till the end! I love books that are packed full of suspense and good smexxy times!

Possessive MCs are my absolute favorite and you definitely get that with knives! Very much touch him and die, was kicky my feet smiling at times when he was over the top.

Maddox made a regretful decision when he was young that changed knives life forever, you can really see how much he beat himself up over it, I’m so glad they found there HEA it was definitely hard earned.

Absolutely loved all the side characters we got to see throughout the book that are from others in the series.

Spoons and forks!! 🍴

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely the lightest book in this series. Still somewhat dark, but less so than the others. I think the reason is that most of the book takes place outside the Mafia setting.
It's intense enemies to lovers, except only one hates the other and there's a lot of hate smex. There's BDSM and it's mostly focused on Domination and submission, with some exhibitionism and some mild-to-moderate masochism (to be honest, it probably only seems mildish because of how extreme these authors can get).
I enjoyed this book a lot. I liked Maddox a lot and I even grew to like Knives. I liked the plot and what I can only call the adventure, and I just really liked the book.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

voluntary review of arc

this is an intense read. I loved the fact they have known each other for so long. Knives and Maddox have a long history. Knives believes there is no coming back from the betrayal that Maddox did to him when they were kids. but his heart however didn't get that message. He cannot stop wanting Maddox.
Maddox understand and wants to hate Knives but his heart is always been for his best friend. Now is no different.
When they both are on a mission they have to work together to get out alive.
This is the book to read when you want two hot men and a lot of love in your life. Well worth the read .