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Rafael
What the hell is Dominic Capelli doing in my club? Best guess, he wants revenge. I mean, I did shoot his father. And, yeah, he’s looking at me like he wants to hurt me. The thing is … I’m very much into that.

I know it’s a bad idea to play with him, but bad ideas are my favorite kind. And he's so very, very sexy.

Dominic
I didn’t come in here to screw Rafael. I came in here to screw with him. I just wanted to see how he’d react. Now that I don’t have my father to hate, I need something new.

So when Rafael starts screwing with me, when he starts trying to expose my long-hidden desires, I decide to punish him. I know I’ll enjoy it. The problem is, I think he might enjoy it too.

I’ll have to kill him in the end, of course, but maybe, before I do, we can play a little game.

*Books in the Dangerous Games series can be read as standalones. However, The Club does pick up on some events from The Contract (and why on earth would you want to skip the smutty feast that is Dante and Tristan???). Please note that these dark MM romances have HEAs but contain potentially triggering content. Each book's content list (which will contain spoilers) can be found in its ebook sample.

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2025

453 people are currently reading
1221 people want to read

About the author

Rina Saint

5 books641 followers
Rina loves her romances dark and dirty. Her books take you into the erotic lives of her complex, morally gray characters. If you love high intensity and fabulous smut, you're in the right place.

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5 stars
1,092 (41%)
4 stars
994 (37%)
3 stars
449 (17%)
2 stars
78 (2%)
1 star
28 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 324 reviews
Profile Image for Astra.
180 reviews465 followers
June 15, 2025
Not as hard hitting as the first book but still good. We got two psychopaths in this one which leads to some really steamy kinda brutal smut scenes. These two characters are just as broken, if not more, than Dante and Tristan. I thought Dante wasn’t as controlled as they were making him out to be. I was proved very wrong now that I’ve gotten a look into Rafael’s head. He has a lot of trauma and a lot of noisy thoughts that he can only seem to drown out through sex, drugs, and violence. Then Dominic takes a full step into his life and everything just stops.

Dominic has been living by the command of his father for most of his life, a man he despises and one who made him feel weak and unwanted. Then he connects with Rafael, someone who makes him feel good about himself, someone who he feels the need to protect. They meet each other's needs perfectly and I think the author did a good job matching them up. I would say their relationship definitely plays out darker than the last, but there are still those gentle moments in between. The possessiveness has also gone up at least three notches, which I enjoyed.

The structure of the story is laid out pretty much the same as the last one. First half is smut and getting to know the characters, the second half is plot. You have to read these in order because this one goes into more depth and detail about the plot that was introduced in the last book. Finally I would like to mention Noah, he rescued Dante and Rafael and took them in, helping them sort out their trauma and find outlets that are less destructive. He’s like the rock that holds everything in place and I thought his character was done nicely. Overall, these two books have been great reads. I would recommend checking out the TWs though because they are dark romances with some grim plots.
Profile Image for Brooke.
900 reviews617 followers
December 14, 2024
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

“You’re mine to fuck and mine to kill. No one touches you but me.”


Didn’t enjoy this one as much as The Contract. Half of the book is only smut, which okay I don’t complain about smut, but I need a little something to keep the story going.
Once the action starts, it’s dark and intense, but rushed.

“Don’t threaten people in my club, Dominic.” His lips peel back from his teeth. “Don’t put them in danger, Rafael.” “Why should they be in danger?” “Because they’re touching what’s mine.


I loved the possessiveness and the jealousy. The fight & fuck style of love.
The spice was hot, but also uncomfortable. Way too rough & gritty for me. It just didn’t seem all that pleasurable. I liked some scenes, but most I just skimmed past.

“You need me to fuck you up, Angel?”


I guess I somewhat still enjoyed this dark & wild romance and I’m glad Rafael and Dominic got their HEA, but it wasn’t exactly to my tastes.

It’s strange how it feels like freedom and safety at the same time. It feels, I guess, like love.


I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Enemies to lovers
- Dub-con/non-negotiated CNC play
- Abduction
- Past sexual abuse
- Torture (not of MCs)
- Drugging
- Bondage
- Control/denial
- Overstimulation/multiple orgasms
- Frotting
- Jealousy
- Breath play/hand necklace
- Knife play
- Rough sex
- Face-fucking
- Violence
- Degradation
- Toys
- Cock cage
- Sex machine
- Electroshock
- Spanking & impact play
- Homophobic slurs
- Coming hands-free

Reading update — Certified smut-lover over here, but just a smidge, a little tiny crumb of plot wouldn’t be a bad idea….
Profile Image for Kati *☆・゚.
1,349 reviews734 followers
January 4, 2025
3.5*** stars


This book is in desperate need of one if not two rounds of serious editing ! The amount of typos, repeating phrases and words drove me nuts. I honestly can’t remember having had that issue with the first book.


And also, even with the high heat both books provide I feel like the first book had more depth to it. If it wasn’t for the second half my verdict would’ve been even more grim. But I’m still very disappointed with this one. To say the least .

Prior to release I was damn excited for Rafael and Dominic. And while their dynamic, their sex and relationship development never lacked the intensity I crave and appreciate, I expected so much more.


I just hold that glare until his anger fades to reveal the truth. He feels really fucking vulnerable. I didn’t hurt him with the rough fucking, but I could hurt him now.

I find that I don’t want to.



But. I was invested in them and their story, especially in the second half, so I feel like three stars is still a justified rating despite the unrefined version of the book I got here.


*Please heed TWs

*************
Dangerous Games Series

Book 1 - The Contract - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - The Club - 3.5 stars
Profile Image for Peppa.
1,385 reviews107 followers
January 19, 2025
I‘m so glad that the second volume didn’t disappoint!! It was hot, spicy, bloody but with the same tender moments as the first one, thus I have to say this one here was definitely a bit more well …unhinged when it came to the characters. Rafael and Dominic had a few more issues then our previous couple.

I have to say, that I wasn’t sure, if I’m going to like Rafael, since I didn’t liked him in the first volume but he definitely grew on me.
Both Dominic and Rafael are so violent and messed up that I didn’t really thought it would work with them together. But it did. They needed each other and somehow the healed each other, even though it’s on a really messed up level haha.
One thing I loved here was the rough and kinky sex hehe, I had my fun with it.

I‘m really glad I read those book and i can’t wait for another one from this author!!
Also if anyone knows similar books pls give me some recommendations👀.
Profile Image for Whitney.
329 reviews406 followers
October 23, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Rafael + Dominic 🖤
Enemies | Breeding | Rough to tender | Exhibitionism | Found family



Rafael is unhinged and I love it. At one point he was naked from the waist down with bloody hands from a murder he just did and decided it was the perfect time to start playing the piano 😂

The heart to heart that Rafael and Noah had was so needed for the both of them and it was beautiful.

....


"I don't even care that I should use a condom. He's getting bred."

"You're gonna come, you dirty fucking boy."

"He needs me. I know that he does. The thing is ... I might need him too."

"I'm not sure -- I wouldn't really know -- but ... I think we just made love."

"No one has ever held me like this. No one has ever wanted me like this."


....



⚠️potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content and warning lists






Tropes/content:
Enemies
Found family
Corset
G strings
Shower blow job
Hands free 💦
Bruised neck, inside and out
Alleyway sex
Rough sex
Rafael wears a butt plug most of the time
Dub-con/non-con (see warnings for details)
Breeding
Bondage
Bareback
Jealousy
Plugs his cum
Dom'a first time having face to face sex consensually
Sex room
Toys toys and toys
Degradation
Rapists getting stabbed in the dick and getting their balls cut off
Spanking (hand and belt)
Some whipping
Aftercare
Roughness turned tender
Doms first time giving a blow job
"No one gets to hurt you but me"
Cock cage
Exhibitionism- they fuck on the couch at the club while Rafael is still caged in front of everyone
Showering together
CNC
Love making
"Angel"
Calls him beautiful
Rafael's entire body is hairless from being lasered
Punishment
Rafael usually tops but when Dominic came along he turned into an insatiable bottom
Clothed dom/naked sub
Sex machine
They save each other in more ways than one
Mine
Touch him and die
Revenge
Vigilante justice
Strict roles (discussion of switching but never happens)
HFN (no epilogue)



Warnings:
Murder
No condoms and no discussion. Dom makes the executive decision that Raf is getting bred
Sex while high. Rafael is high the first time couple times Dominic penetrates him
Dom calls Raf a faggot after they fuck and he tries kissing him
Non consensual nude pictures - Dom took them of Rafael after they had sex and he was high. He stated he planned to use them for blackmail. He never did though
Sight OW drama - Raf sees Dom with a woman at the club and is not happy. He says he's used to doing that after being with men to keep up appearances with his father
OM drama - Raf gets between two guys and kisses both of them right in front of Dom to make him jealous
Both MCs have sexual trauma from when they were kids. They were sold to an island with a bunch of old men pedophiles
Attempted SA to MC (they only succeeded in messing with his zipper and pants button)
Violence between MCs
Dom freaks out the first time he gives Raf a blow job. He ends up punching him in the face and storming off
Dominic has a scar on the base if his dick from where his dad threatened to cut it off from being gay
Non negotiated CNC (Dom cones into Raf's house and grabs him in the dark, covers his mouth and starts having sex with him. Raf realizes it's him but there's still a horror there for him)
Rafael cant access the people who hurt him, Dominic and Dante so he gets revenge on local pedophiles - one guy gets stabbed repeatedly in the dick, another gets his dick and balls sliced completely off ( I wish this happened more in real life)
Dominic gets shot with a drug dart and kidnapped by the Collector who is the piece of shit rapist guy from the island and Rafael's personal abuser. Rafael shows up and ends up forced to his knees with the collector opening his pants. Nothing happens past that but the horror is there for him and Dominic as he sits helplessly tied down to a chair.
Torture
Profile Image for lakshmi.
733 reviews602 followers
March 26, 2025
sometimes I like to pick up a smutty book and skip all the smut to read the domestic gooey moments because that shit hits different 💀
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
525 reviews113 followers
December 14, 2024
"Do you have any idea what I'm going to do to you?" Dominic whispers across the table.

After Rafael and his friend Dante unalive Dominic's father, Rafael knows he's in Dominic's crosshairs. What he isn't sure of is whether Dominic wants to kill him or drag him to the nearest horizontal surface. After everything he has endured on the Island at the hands of his own father, Dominic isn't sure either. The two just might fit together perfectly, all their twisted jagged bits aligning just right. The Club is book 2 in the Dangerous Games series and can be read as a standalone but I think it would best be enjoyed in series order.
He's psychotic. Murderous. Whorish. If I could love anyone, it would be him.

I've been looking for a steamy MM book that featured a lot of spicy toys and furniture for forever and never felt like I'd found it until now. I really enjoyed the collection that Rafael had put together and how he and Dominic made use of those things together. The steamy scenes in this book were smoking hot and definitely what I've come to expect from Rina Saint. This book is a dark romance and felt darker to me in tone than book 1, especially as we learn more about the Island and what Rafael and Dominic endured there. The only parts I really didn't care for personally were the punches to the face, they were difficult to read. Otherwise, Rina Saint is quickly becoming an author whose books I really enjoy!

Rating: 4 stars
Angst: 4.5/5
Steam: 4.5/5

I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included).
761 reviews357 followers
April 6, 2025
Tropes: enemies to lovers, hurt/comfort
Feels: 2/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: Dubcon, Bondage, Control, orgasm denial, Breath play, hand necklaces, Knife play, Rough sex, Degradation/name calling, Toys (vibrator, anal plug, dildo, chastity device, sex machines, electroshock), Spanking, rape roleplay (kind of, mirroring of past)
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: past CSA, murder, violence, gore, torture, trafficking, MC drugging other MC, abduction, homophobia, drug use, unsafe sex
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: Rafael tries to rile up Dominic by making it look like he's going to have a threesome with a couple, kissing one of them and touching. Dominic pulls him away. Dominic is jealous at times. Dominic also goes on a date with a woman, but he wasn't interested in her, and Rafael interrupts. Neither of them are with anyone else.

3 stars

Rafael's dad was a bad guy and ticked off the wrong people, he got himself and his wife killed and Rafael at 12 was sex trafficked. An FBI agent got him out and adopted him in his mid-teens. He's f***** up though, and he spends his life alternating between running his business, indulging in rough sex, and hunting down pedophiles and bad people and murdering them. He recently helped kill Dominic's father.

Dominic's father was a horrible man. He was extremely homophobic and he sensed his child was gay, so he sent Dominic to the same sex trafficking location that Rafael was held at and let his son be raped for 8 months as punishment, to scare him away from being gay. Dominic has hid his sexuality since, but he's always had to deal with homophobia from his father and he's internalized his dad's voice. Dominic wants to kill Rafael because he thinks he should, because he's a temptation and because of what he did to his father. Dominic has been fascinated with and watching Rafael for years.

When they enter each other's orbit, they end up having sex instead of killing each other. Dominic thinks he will kill him eventually, that the sex is just a temporary diversion. But as opportunities present themselves, he can't bring himself to kill him, and he actually ends up protecting him as they end up in dangerous situations. They feel avoid for the other, they give each other what they need and understand each other.

This was an ok book. There was a lot of tension, there was a connection between the characters, there were lively characters, and there was a solid plot. I had a hard time enjoying this book though because the walls were up between the characters for such a long time, there were hints at vulnerability at times, but it wasn't quite enough emotion for me. And I just wasn't comfortable with some of the sex. I hesitated about whether I should ding the stars for my personal preference, but I couldn't bring myself to round up and reward the repeated rape role-playing that they did. It's probably pushing it to call it rape role play, because it was more subtle than that, but that was how it came off to me. I know it was how they coped with both being survivors of CSA, but on page graphic mirroring of elements from their past assaults for titillation was too far for me.


Some notable moments:

"When he starts to stir, waking up, I pretend to be asleep. If he’s going to leave, I don’t want to watch. He freezes when he registers our entanglement. I expect him to slide out from under me, to escape without waking me. Instead, his arm goes from lying loosely behind me to curling around me. I know he thinks I’m asleep, but holy fuck. I did not expect that. His thumb rubs lightly against my side."

"“Everything is actually fine.” “Fine?” Dante echoes. “Nothing here is fine, Tristan. And why the hell did you jump so guiltily when you saw me?” Anger flashes across Tristan’s face. “I was startled, not guilty. And it was because I knew how you’d react!” “You were serving drinks to a man who fucking kidnapped you!” “Apparently, I have a tolerance for psychotic, violent assholes.” He looks, quite pointedly, from Dante to Dominic to me. I can’t help it. I laugh. Everyone glares at me. I’m not sure why. That really was funny."

"I clamp a gloved hand over his mouth. “Listen to me, you sack of shit. If you shout, if you scream, if you do anything other than answer my questions quietly, I will rip off your balls.” I give the rope a light yank, making his eyes bug out. God, he’s gross. “I know you have men downstairs. I’ll be gone before they reach you—but so will your balls. Are we clear?” He nods frantically."



*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.

**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Monikat.
1,720 reviews45 followers
January 2, 2025
This was a diamond in the rough. Dark erotica, with dark pasts and deep mental health issues, both MCs needed each other.
A great summary of the book can be read in the Author Rambling at the end of the book.
I really enjoyed this darkling.🖤
Profile Image for patrícia.
750 reviews169 followers
May 5, 2025
This didn’t completely work for me. It felt too chaotic and lacked any real sense of rules. There are a lot of BDSM elements, but without the structure or safety that usually comes with that—it just felt unhinged in a bad way. And hey, I’m all for a little good kind of unhinged, but this wasn’t it.

Both characters were way too rough and, honestly, too violent—and I’m not talking about killing bad guys, but how they treated *each other*. No judgment if that’s your thing, but it’s not the kind of relationship I enjoy reading about. That said, I understand why they are like this, this is the way they dealt with their trauma and abuse, this is how they fight their demons.

Also—and I’m not usually someone who complains about this—but there was so much sex that it ended up overpowering everything else. Every emotion led straight to sex, whether it was rough or just slightly less rough. The plot was minimal, and most of it revolved around mafia stuff, which I just don’t care for.

And after all that buildup, The Collector’s death was *so* anticlimactic. Too easy, not enough pain, and definitely no real closure. The whole sidling subject just died there, and I believed that the web was way larger.

That said, by the end they *do* kind of heal each other. There are tender moments, “I love you”s, some intimacy, cooking, taking care of each other, and even babies. Those bits were sweet and felt earned—and honestly, needed after everything else.
Profile Image for NitaBee.
231 reviews20 followers
January 3, 2025
Dangerous Games #2
READ BOOK 1 first

Rafael, from book 1 is the owner of an exclusive club called Lush. Book 1 also introduced us to homophobic Dominic Capelli.

“Dominic’s eyes half close. “You’re so fucking gay.”
“This is a gay sex club. Everyone here is gay.”

Dominic’s father was a bad man - think Jeffrey Epstein’s island but just boys - and Rafael had unwillingly been on that island. So had Dominic, although they didnt interact much.

Hmm maybe it’s internalised homophobia because Dominic is attracted to Rafael but also wants to kill him. For appearances because his father is dead by Rafael and his friends hands.

Rafael is also attracted to him. They start to have a lot of hot sex in various places.

Dominic’s father really screwed both main characters up. He gave them both deep trauma from a young age.

Dominic and Rafael are all primal need and possessive and a little unhinged.

“And let other people play with you? I don’t fucking think so. You’re mine to fuck and mine to kill. No one touches you but me.”

There’s a scene where they are fighting each other in a gay fight club kinda situation where Dominic says “You shouldn’t be here, letting other men touch you.” Rafael snarls back, “If you don’t want to touch me, someone else will have to.”

Unhinged and I’m loving it.

The sex scenes are fire.

Dominic is struggling with what he endured from his father, all the homophobic rhetoric spewed at him. Originally that is why he wanted to kill Rafael , because he made him feel and want abs desire. But now, Dominic just wants to own Rafael . Beautiful broken Rafael.

Theres a lot to unpack in the book, apart from all the hot sex. These two fall in love with each other, a desperate need for one another. They see each other for who they really are and can fully be themselves in the safety of each other. Dominic and Rafael would go full scorched earth for the other if it was called for. I absolutely love characters like that.

The island of horror ties them together and together they work in bringing down “the society” and “the collector”. They also are working with Dante and Noah from book 1.

There’s beauty in the broken. Not just with Dominic and Rafael. Rafael and Noah have a beautiful father - son moment.

“I love you,” I tell him again. This time, I see it reach him. His eyes soften and swim with tears. I take my hand away from his mouth. “Fuck, Dominic,” he gasps, “I love you too.”

I don’t know if there will be a book 3 but I hope Noah gets to fall in love with someone.


#QBDBooksReadingChallenge

https://www.qbd.com.au/2025-reading-c...?

Today we *SLAY*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lola.
251 reviews23 followers
March 17, 2026
Re-read on 3/14/26 with my ears

This still slaps! Definitely my fav Rina Saint after Possession. I was a little wary because I wasn't sure if I'd like Dominic's voice based on the really small sample I heard but it grew on me pretty quick. It was very New York Italian mobster and it fit but it felt like he was speaking sooo slowly. I think he got better at the pace as the book went on, though. Rafael's voice was perfect for him. And I'm eternally grateful that Rina Saint always uses duet narration for her books. I'm bumping the GR stars up to 5 but it's still a 4.5, maybe 4.75 star.

********************************************************************
Original review:
4.5 stars

Hooooooooly shit. It's possible that I'm in the minority here but I loved this one more than The Contract. It was incredibly unhinged and the MCs were toxic and violent within the relationship but I felt much stronger about them as characters than I did Dante and Tristan from the previous book. I avoided reading this for a long time because I was worried that the CSA content would be more detailed and focused on in this one, and, I guess it kind of was since it effected both MCs instead of just one but I am very thankful that Rina Saint never got into details or specifics - she conveyed the weight of it without having the reader "witness" it.

Probably the number 1 reason I loved this was Rafael. He was so fucking messy, impulsive, sassy, and unpredictable, but he was also completely honest all the time and I am obsessed with MCs like that. He hid some information regarding the background/greater revenge plot but in terms of what he was feeling, he never shied away. Dominic was out there trying to bait him and shame him by asking if he was jealous or needy for attention but Rafael just said "yes, obviously". Not gonna shame that man - he gave zero fucks. He was already beginning to unravel at the start of the story and his spiral continued throughout which led to some great hurt/comfort (both traditional and... less traditional). And god he was so fucking baby - he was unable to accept aftercare and tenderness and feared others showing him affection, but he also desperately needed someone to do those things.

Dominic started off exactly how I thought he'd be. A pretty classic case of someone who internalized the homophobia that was very directly aimed at him by a close trusted family member (his father in this case). But in addition to the commonplace verbal abuse seen in other stories with these MCs, this man was sold as a child to sex traffickers for 8 months as a "punishment" for his gayness. Yes, he was awful to Rafael in the beginning, but I was actually kind of surprised with how fast his more tender instincts began to creep in when it came to Rafael (even if it took longer for him to fully act on those instincts). I don't know what dynamic I expected of the two of them but I definitely didn't foresee Dominic becoming such a caretaker - very, very Daddy Dom vibes in the end.

I'm sure that the sexual dynamic between these two made some people uncomfortable. It's tagged as BDSM but it's important to note that this was not SSC (Safe, Sane, Consensual) and that's a fairly foundational part of BDSM. This is fiction and the dual POV shows that both parties involved were super into everything that took place, but it's maybe an important reminder that this was very much not a good example of a healthy dynamic. No safe words or signals were ever established, their first encounter occurred while Rafael was incredibly high (not able to consent), there was no aftercare the first time, and there was no discussion prior to fucking bare (condoms were never used once and they only briefly talked about status after the fact, while using incorrect terms (ie "clean").

That said, it is fiction and in this author's usual style, the sex was used as a means to reflect the connection between the MCs and show that each was the only one who could give the other what he needs. In that way, I didn't really think of this as true BDSM but more of a fucked up dynamic that incorporated those elements but was specific to these MCs. I'm glad she never explicitly used the term BDSM for them, I felt like maybe it showed she's aware that's not exactly what this was.

There was a lot of violence between them (mostly perpetrated by Dominic) in the beginning, but they led such violent lives in general that, callous as it may sound, it wasn't unexpected in the earlier stages of their "relationship" at all and it didn't bother me any more than the rest of it did. I do believe by the end that true violence wouldn't occur between them ever again (just safe sadism and masochism).

I loved how their relationship evolved. Each of their scenes showed the progression of them becoming more open with each other. The aftercare came, Dominic being more attuned to Rafael's needs came. Honestly, once they accepted the fact that they were involved and Rafael trusted that Dominic wasn't going to leave, they became downright domestic. I was so pleasantly surprised by the amount of focus and page time that those kinds of scenes got. There were more moments of tenderness and softness and sweetness than I anticipated and I absolutely gobbled that shit up. I am a slut for obsession and possessiveness but this had the added bonus of something more grounding. By the end I truly believed that they were perfect for each other and loved each other and that, while they would always have aggressive sex, they would do it in a safe and healthy way from that point on.

The larger plot was fine which is exactly what I was expecting. Rina Saint spends a lot of time on sex and the relationship and that's what I'm there for. The plot wasn't bad though, and the ending was satisfying enough for my interest level in it lol.

I can't explain exactly why this one hit so right for me but it's probably my favorite Rina Saint after Possession. I am definitely going to read The Chase now even though I have no idea who the MCs are based on the blurb - I don't think either are mentioned in these books?

Pet names: baby, Angel (mixed feelings about this - I like the name itself just fine but it was a name used for Rafael by men on the Island and Dominic used it here. It wasn't to hurt him though, I think it was meant as a reclaiming of sorts. Rafael both hated and loved it.)

He’s angry that he wants me. He’s even angrier, perhaps, that I know it.


My eyes watch his throat as he swallows. He picks up his wine. Eyes flicking to me over the rim of it, he says in a dark, commanding voice, “Eat, Rafael.” I obey him. I think I would obey anything he said in that voice.


“Don’t threaten people in my club, Dominic.” His lips peel back from his teeth. “Don’t put them in danger, Rafael.” “Why should they be in danger?” “Because they’re touching what’s mine.”


“Are you always so jealous?” I ask. “Only when something matters to me.” I frown. “And why should I matter to you?” “I want you. I need you.” I know he just means sex, but it pries into me anyway.


All the men always wanted him at the Island. Angel, they called him. He’s hardly that. He’s psychotic. Murderous. Whorish. If I could love anyone, it would be him.


You’re going to let me do this.” His eyebrows draw low as he glares at me. I just hold that glare until his anger fades to reveal the truth. He feels really fucking vulnerable. I didn’t hurt him with the rough fucking, but I could hurt him now. I find that I don’t want to.


He needs me. I know that he does. The thing is … I might need him too.


It doesn’t change the fact that he’s vicious. Sadistic. Full of rage. He likes hurting me. He likes fucking me like he hates me. Thank god. I don’t want that to ever stop. I love it. I need it. But this … Maybe I need this too—and that’s far more terrifying than having him string me up and point a gun at me.


I don’t think I could handle this moment with anyone but him. I don’t think I could let anyone but him see me this vulnerable. It’s strange how it feels like freedom and safety at the same time. It feels, I guess, like love.



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Safety (may contain spoilers)

SA/rape: Their first time having anal sex was while Rafael was high - so automatically it's dubcon at best. Both MCs were victims of a child sex trafficking ring. Both were abused by many men but Rafael was also personally groomed by the man who sold him. Nothing is on page, there are no detailed flashbacks or explicit memories. There is a moment where Rafael is almost assaulted by a group of men but Dominic thwarts it just as they are unbuttoning his pants. Rafael's personal abuser almost hurts him at the end but again it's interrupted before anything at all happens.

Other person drama: Dominic goes on a date with a woman after being with Rafael but Rafael crashes it. Rafael makes out with two men in his club in an effort to make Dominic jealous (and boy does it work!). Rafael explains his complicated relationship with Dante - they are connected and always will be but they don't love each other romantically and the one time they tried to have sex they nearly killed each other. Neither MC was actually with anyone else or even thinking about or considering anyone else during the course of the book.
Profile Image for October O'Neil.
Author 2 books24 followers
January 4, 2025
Oh me, oh my.

This is a mafia rivals tale that has two MCs fucking out their aggression over and over and over and over and over...

One MC (Dominic) is a closeted, angry, aggressive asshole-type, who I THINK is supposed to be like an undercover nice guy for his boo, although I'm not sure that's ever fully realized.

The other MC (Rafael) is an out and proud colorful peacock who's broken under the surface and really just needs someone to comfort him (that's what Dominic is supposed to do, which he does by hate fucking him over and over then punching him in the face).

I had a hard time following the plot thread, some of that I’ll say is because I didn’t read Book 1, and there seems to be a lot I missed, but some of that is because there are A LOT of characters mentioned who don’t really play an active role. So, whenever they do pop up, I’m like, who are you again? Also, it seems like whatever the plot was occurred in the background and retelling during and after hate fucking scenes between Dominic and Rafael. Which, were hot. And as much as I love the smutty smut, I can take a break every now and then and read plotty plots.

I think the peacock MC (Rafael) was more fully realized than the angry MC (Dominic), and I can see how they were good for each other in the end, but, it just wasn't my particular cup of tea. I don't want to fault the book for that though. I'm sure it's someone's particular cup of tea, and for that person, you'll get what you want, and a lot of it. Check out the tags below to see if that might be you. Read the CWs.

SUMMARY:
Maybe read Book 1
Know that this is Dark Erotica first, story second
Read the CWs
If you’re into hate fucking, degradation/humiliation, breeding, orgasm denial, restraint and dubcon with a mafia flair this might be for you.
Profile Image for Laura Lou.
338 reviews22 followers
December 4, 2025
3.5 stars

The Club is book two in the Dangerous Games series. This dark MM romance story is about Dominic and Rafael.

This book didn’t hit for me like The Contract (book one) did. I had a hard time with Dominic and Rafael’s dynamic. I felt like there was almost too much sex, and unfortunately I just struggled to get into their story.
Profile Image for normie :).
68 reviews17 followers
April 18, 2025
5.5 ⭐️ def my fav in the duology!

I was nervous going into this one, especially after feeling like there wasn’t much of an emotional connection between the two MMCs in the first book. But I was super intrigued by Dominic, and since this was a pretty quick read, I figured I'd just go for it. And wow, I’m so glad I did! I absolutely loved the connection and the intense possessiveness between Dominic and Rafael. The steam was just as strong as in The Contract (book 1), but this time, it actually felt earned because of Dominic and Rafael's bond that made everything feel so much more passionate and real.

I loved the way Dominic took care of Rafael, even when Rafael didn’t necessarily want it. The way he pushed him to open up, the more tender moments they shared, and how they both challenged each other in such vulnerable, intimate ways… it was all just so good. That hostage scene where Rafael was about to be killed?? Dominic swooping in to save him and how that lead up to us finding out about Rafael’s past?? Absolute chef’s kiss!!

Dominic and Rafael were just such a perfect pair.. in a deliciously morally grey kind of way! Can’t wait to read more of Rina's work in the future!
Profile Image for Kate V.
1,878 reviews379 followers
April 20, 2025
The Club was a story about two very broken individuals that find a kindred spirit in each other. Their trauma and needs complement beautifully.

Rafael is violent and destructive and Dominic is dominant and commanding. There is so much pain in their pasts and so much the two of them have to work through but they use intimacy to do it.

“You’re gonna come, you dirty fucking boy. You’re gonna show me how you shoot all over yourself because you love my cock in your ass.”


The plot was minimal but had action and the smut was heavy but like I’ve said before, Rina does a fantastic job at making the smut kinky yet emotional. These two were dangerously possessive and obsessive in the hottest ways.

“Don’t threaten people in my club, Dominic.”

His lips peel back from his teeth. “Don’t put them in danger, Rafael.”

“Why should they be in danger?”

“Because they’re touching what’s mine.”


Loved this story.
Profile Image for OutsideOfTheTrack.
455 reviews2 followers
January 3, 2025
I’m pretty 50/50 on this book— I liked the two MMCs overall, though Dominic confused me at times. Surprisingly, my biggest issue was the smut itself—it was repetitive at best.

It’s been a while since I was so aware I was reading MM romance written by a woman — which I do read a lot of, but this book it just seemed ALOT more obvious — I can’t pinpoint an exact “oh, that’s why” moment, but something about it didn’t work for me. And considering how much smut there is, that definitely impacted my reading.
Profile Image for Marjolein (Dutchromancereader).
211 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2026
Reread in audio January 2026.

Yes, still on my Rina Saint spree and loving every second of it. This is the second book in de Dangerous Games series, telling the story of Rafael en Dominique.

In the first book we learned snippets of their traumatic pasts. They share the same experiences with Dante in the forst book (you better read that one first). They are completely broken by it in their own way. Dominique spend time on the island of hell, but in the years after continued being abused by his homophobic father who tried everything in his power to kill the faggot in Dominique. Rafael is on his own revenge path and is truly spiraling because of it. Despite being sort of enemies for years they are drawn to each other. I mean really drawn to each other. These guys go for it from 5% in the book and they NEVER stop. I have never seen a couple so insatiable as them. This book is pure erotica, but again, Rina Saint has the ability to make it so much more than that.
At first it is a sexual outlet for them. They both are broken and have needs because of it they cannot find with anyone else. They are violent, needy, psychotic and intense and they just meet they match. But slowly it becomes more than that. The need each other to heal. Their journey through their intense trauma, the way they open up to each other slowly, the way they just know what the other needs and the way they accept each others craziness is so beautifully written. It is intensely emotional to see these broken boys finally finding some peace after everything they have been through. Rina Saint is the first writer I read that accomplished a good combination of erotica, characters with deep layers and an emotional plot. The spicy scenes are really good but serve a purpose as well. It is their way of trauma dealing and I loved that.

So I am officially a Rina Saint fan. It is not for everyone, so check your triggers and know what you are getting yourself into. There is a lot of smut and it it rough and violent. Although I loved every bit of these broken beautiful boys, Dante and Tristan are still my favorite.
Profile Image for EvaReadsWithDog.
224 reviews5 followers
February 27, 2026
And here I thought Dante was broken when I started reading the Dangerous Games series. Well, Rafael and Dominic are even more broken, if that's even possible. Their story is addictive. This series is addictive.
“I’ve been thinking about killing you.”
“Because you want me.”
......I really, really want him.

This book is a rollercoaster of emotions. It's raw, dark, unhinged and hot. I love how Dominic connects with Rafael despite all their differences and hate. I loved all the hard, difficult moments in their story and in the plot but I loved even harder all their more vulnerable moments.
“No one gets to hurt you but me.” My breath catches. He’s so fucking dangerous—and somehow I’ve never felt safer.

The Club is book 2 in the Dangerous Games series and I recommend you read book 1 first because there are parts in the plot that will make much more sense if you read them in order. I loved how we got to know Noah better.
"I don’t know what kind of alternate reality I’ve stepped into, but Dominic Capelli is making me waffles. He’s using a whisk."

I always go blind into books but not all readers are the same so please read the trigger warnings if you need to. The Chace, book 3 is up next. Can't wait to read it.

“That’s because I love you, Rafael—and fuck the rest of the world.”
Profile Image for t e a g a n.
233 reviews
January 17, 2026
another great read. I feel like it was heavy on the smut but the smut was needed for these characters and what they’ve been through, especially raphael as he uses it to regulate. The softer side of this couple was the cutest shit ever.
Profile Image for Shelby | Spicy.booknook.
489 reviews84 followers
September 10, 2025
Holy Smokes... this book was on fire. Its pretty much pure smut with a little bit of plot carried over from book one. I feel like you definitely have to start with book one, because the events that take place there clearly lead to this book.

Rafael and Dominic are so crazy and so toxic but they are so much fun to read. This is a pretty dark read. Even putting aside the plot of retribution for past sins done to these guys, the sex between these two is sometimes hateful and ugly, usually rough and violent. But... BUT! They do have moments of sorta sweetness and soft intimacy, but not usually. And there is a reason for that, but you have to read to find out ;)

For some reason I really liked these two, even though Dominic was such an asshole all the time. Luckily you get his POV so you can understand what he's feeling some one the time, but sheesh! He was a meanie to poor Rafael. Overall, taking the two books together, I do recommend if you like a traumatic vengeance laced story.


Contemporary MM
Dark Romance
Vigilantism
Broken Men
Hate To Love
Using Sex To Heal
Dom / Sub
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥♾️

“Don’t threaten people in my club, Dominic.”
His lips peel back from his teeth. “Don’t put them in danger, Rafael.”
“Why should they be in danger?”
“Because they’re touching what’s mine.”
Profile Image for Jessica.
302 reviews4 followers
January 19, 2025
This book was like 90 % smut and 10 % plot, but you know what? That was what I wanted from this. And it was really good. I love Rafael, he's probably my favorite character from this series. And his relationship with Dominic was interesting and at the end, very cute.

I wasn't sure how I would feel about Dominic, because I didn't really liked him from the previous book, but in this book, I really felt for him after you got to know him a little bit better. I loved the softer moments between him and Rafael.

I also loved the cameos of Noah, Tristan and Dante!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Curious Readss.
96 reviews9 followers
January 19, 2025
spicy baby 🥵🥵🥵

I absolutely loved the contract and this book did not disappoint either. It was a lot of spice🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ which I love for sure but I wanted a little bit more about the island and the collector, but overall the book gave what needed to be gave. I enjoyed how Raphael and Dominic went from ready to end each other to obsessed lovers. I like that they were able to work through their trauma together and just knew what each other needed. Can’t wait for the next book to find out more.
Profile Image for Unapologetic_Bookaholic.
661 reviews86 followers
July 16, 2025
More than smut and violence

It is great to see an author craft characters so realistic it hurts to see it come to an end. I'll definitely read more from this author and definitely read this book again! So many authors try to be dark and super smutty but this author knows their characters, knows the story they *need* to tell. Just AMAZING !
Profile Image for Naz.
362 reviews11 followers
July 17, 2025
Yazarı yeni keşfettim MM Dark sevenler koşsun seriyi okusun bence 🙃 hem acayip 🔥🔥hemde karekterler tam sayko 🤌🏻
Sadece smut üzerine değil duygularda bu kadar bozuk karekterlere bakınca gayet güzel verilmişti bu arada 🙃
Profile Image for Nicanne.
269 reviews20 followers
April 14, 2025
OMG I love Rafael and Dominic, brilliant story, I really hope there is more coming in this series.

📚Book = Interconnecting Standalone
💕Burn = Fast,
🎭OW/OM Drama = No,
🐺 Alpha Men = Absolutely, 💯
🔥Heat/spice = 10/10, 🔥
😬Angst = Low,
🍆🌮 MM/FF = Yes, MM,
🔹POV = 1st Person, MPV,
🔸Genre = Contemporary Romance,
🔹Tropes = Dark MM✨Mëntäl health✨Brøken boys✨Enëmíes to Løvers✨Hurt/Comfort✨BDSM✨Bøndäge✨Light Stälkíng✨Lots of tøys✨Røuġh dømínänt Sëx and tender aftercare✨Organised crímë✨Tøucħ him and get unalived ✨Pøssëssíve and øbsëssíve MMC’s
‼️Check TW’s before reading‼️

I was extremely exited to read Rafael’s book as I absolutely loved his chaotic personality in ‘The Contract’ (Bk 1) and ‘WOW’ this book did not disappoint, in any way. I loved the pace and the journey Rafael and Dominic went on together, it was beautiful, emotional and heart felt. They really did just needed each other, even if it took them awhile to realise this. Two men, víctíms of the island when they were both teens, are left sëverëly dāmäge emøtíonally, with viølënce & sëx being their only outlets, never letting anyone get too close.

This book is hēavy on the sëx, but it’s a way they both deal with the träumã of their past. Their story draws you in quickly and kept me fully engaged from beginning to end. There’s elements of BDSM dynämic in a lot of their interactions, with Dominic being the more dømínant and cøntrollíng one most of the time, and Rafael being the very bøssy, dëfíant, brãtty bõttom. You also get more from ‘The Collector’ as they get closer to cāpturíng him and this is my only, ‘very minor’, grumble, as the ending of his life seems a bit weak and over to briefly considering the träumā he caused so many yôung bøys. But hayhoo, the heat and connection between Rafael and Dominic is tremendously høt and íntënse, I loved every single page.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The collector really dämagėd Rafael’s view of love from a yøung age of 12, wärpíng what love looks and feels like. Now he struggled to find anyone that could give him what he so desperately needed - unbridled attention, dømínance, acceptance, but most of all…….someone who will løve him for who he is and won’t leave!!
To sůrvíve the träumā of his past Rafael uses lots of meaningless sëx to mask his päin and his viølënt tendencies to gain jůstíce on people who hürt others, especially against chíldrën.

He helps Dante (his ‘complicated’ friend) to take out Dominics father……the man who søld Dante to the collector. However by doing this Rafael is aware that Dominic will come for him as rëtalíatíons, so excepts his fäte and his own dëmíse, but not without having a little fun with Dominic first, playing along with his games.

Their püsh and püll and sëxuäl intēractíon are ěxpløsive. Dominics naturally dømínant nature comes forward and gives Rafael freedom to let go of fíghtíng everyone and everything, he learns it’s ok to just sūbmít occasionally, content in the knowledge that Dominic will be there to take care of him. Rafael quickly realises that Dominic is exactly who he needs, he just needs to convince Dominic to also let go of his shäckľes and be the dømínant førcë of nature he was alway supposed to be!


Dominic sürvíved his träumåtic past on the Island, that his own father førcëd on him, but even when his father brings him back home, Dominic still süffērs at his hands, never able to be his true self. He has to hide his sëxűalíty, feelings & cøntain every ëmøtion as his father bëlíttles, bërātes and make him feels ūselëss, completely down trøddën and tërrífíed of the man.
Now with his father’s dëaťh, he feels øbligated to take rëvėnge as the new head of his mäfía family, even if sëcretly he’s glad his father is dëād and gone. However he sets out to toy with Rafael, with the plan of kíllíng him in the end.

Rafael brings out the man Dominic was always destined to be - dömínant, strong and confident, slowly quietening the bërāting voice of his father in his head, but Dominic also discovers a caring, nurturing and prøtective side of himself, he never realised he was capable of. Now free from the shäckľes of his father, Dominic begins to lets go, realising he know longer needs to hide his sëxùalíty or how he wishes to run his family businesses and most of all…..his love for Rafael, who by now is absolutely and equivocally his!!


When The Collector comes into their lives again it pushes their strong prøtective natures and their relationship. It also tríggërs things within Rafael about his past, but in the end helps him to realize and accept some things about himself that allow him to begin to heal, with the love and supportive help of Dominic.

-

This is a standalone story and can be read as so, however for better content on the collector, the Society and the Island, I personally feel it’s better to read from the beginning with book 1.
Profile Image for Shelba.
2,748 reviews101 followers
January 6, 2025
DNF @ 32%.

You wanna make me DNF your book? Put a fight club in it.

Honestly, even before the fight club, I was already at the end of my rope.

I quite enjoyed the first book. The romance was dark (coulda been darker). The plot was a bit OTT, but there was a plot.

This book? It’s been almost nonstop fucking. 30% in, I should have some idea what the plot is. I mean, I *thought* there was an overarching plot… but maybe it skips book 2? Dominic has a crime syndicate to run after the death of his father, Rafael has a club to run, random dudes to kill, and some Society people to track down… but that’s just all getting pushed to the side so that these guys can fuck for the nth time.

I mean, sex room and sex toys, ooh aah. But like, where’s the plot?

Same as with the first book, there’s quite a few typos… words missing in sentences, the wrong words used, or just words completely misspelled.

- “I want you to do with your cock.”
- “Fist me harder. Struggle”(should be “fight” because no one, unfortunately, is getting fisted)
- His skin is a little daker than mine.

One thing that bothered me was how Rafael is in his club and just refers to this couple as “the top” and “the bottom”. They aren’t having sex, just sitting in the club, so to identify them as “the top” and “the bottom” is ick.

The top kisses the bottom, whose hand clenches on my thigh. The top breaks the kiss to look at me. He’s studying me quite appreciatively, though his hand is on the bottom’s chest.


“The bottom” is referred to by name a few times, because Rafael knows him, having fucked him before. “The top” is only ever referred to as “the top”. Literally just reducing him to how Rafael assumes he likes to fuck.

I might consider reading the next book… I might not. It will have to promise a little more plot than this disappointment.
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