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The Payment
The Sordid Debt Duet is a dark tale of a man’s journey to find justice for the death of his loved ones.
Her grandfather's debt became her prison. Her heart was the price...
Tatiana Polov was more than just a pawn in a game between titans—she was the currency that sealed a devil’s bargain. Jarek Farrel, the Dark One of Boston’s underworld, had orchestrated every move with the precision of a master player, wrapping her in promises of love while binding her in chains of obligation. The signs of his true nature had always been there; she had just been too lovestruck to pay attention to them.
Now, trapped between her Bratva heritage and the man whose power made even her formidable grandfather bow, she learned that love’s warmth could freeze into hatred’s ice. Her husband might rule Boston’s white crime with an iron fist, but he made one critical mistake—he underestimated the woman scorned…
Jarek demanded a wife and an heir as payment. He got the first, but Tatiana would sooner paint her soul black than give him the second. Let him think he’d broken her spirit. Let him believe her submission. After all, the most dangerous predators knew when to play dead.
The debt might not have been hers, but the payment would be Jarek’s to make. And Tatiana intended to collect—with interest.
Some debts can never be forgiven…
Her grandfather's debt became her prison. Her heart was the price...
Tatiana Polov was more than just a pawn in a game between titans—she was the currency that sealed a devil’s bargain. Jarek Farrel, the Dark One of Boston’s underworld, had orchestrated every move with the precision of a master player, wrapping her in promises of love while binding her in chains of obligation. The signs of his true nature had always been there; she had just been too lovestruck to pay attention to them.
Now, trapped between her Bratva heritage and the man whose power made even her formidable grandfather bow, she learned that love’s warmth could freeze into hatred’s ice. Her husband might rule Boston’s white crime with an iron fist, but he made one critical mistake—he underestimated the woman scorned…
Jarek demanded a wife and an heir as payment. He got the first, but Tatiana would sooner paint her soul black than give him the second. Let him think he’d broken her spirit. Let him believe her submission. After all, the most dangerous predators knew when to play dead.
The debt might not have been hers, but the payment would be Jarek’s to make. And Tatiana intended to collect—with interest.
Some debts can never be forgiven…
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2025
4 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Linzi Basset
144 books818 followersAuthor pseudonyms - Isabel James, Kimila Taylor
“Isn’t it a universal truth that it’s our singular experiences and passion, for whatever thing or things, which molds us all into the individuals we become? Whether it's hidden in the depths of our soul or exposed for all to see?”
Linzi Basset is a South African born animal rights supporter with a poet’s heart, and she is also a bestselling fiction writer of suspense filled romance erotica books; who as the latter, refuses to be bound to any one sub-genre. She prefers instead to stretch herself as a storyteller which has resulted in her researching and writing historical and even paranormal themed works.
Her initial offering: Club Alpha Cove, a BDSM club suspense series released back in 2015, reached Amazon’s Bestseller list, and she has been on those lists ever since. Labeling her as prolific is a gross understatement as just a few short years later she has now been published over a hundred times.
“I write from the inside out. My stories are both inside me and a part of me so it can be either pleasurable to release them or painful to carve them out. I live every moment of every story I write. So, if you're looking for spicy and suspenseful, I'm your girl... woman... writer... you know what I mean!"
Linzi believes that by telling stories in her own voice, she can better share with her readers the essence of her being: her passionate nature; her motivations; and her wildest fantasies. She feels every touch as she writes, every kiss, every harsh word uttered, and this to her is the key to a never-ending love of writing.
Ultimately, all books by Linzi Basset are about passion. To her, passion is the driving force of all emotion; whether it be lust, desire, hate, trust, or love. This is the underlying message contained in her books.
Her advice: “Believe in the passions driving your desires; live them; enjoy them; and allow them to bring you happiness.”
Find her also on amazon.com/author/isabeljames in a collaboration of emotional and spiritual tales of discovery written in rich prose.
Click on her website at: https://linzibasset.com/ where you will find upcoming information about new releases, and excerpts from her books. Subscribe to her newsletter and join her on Twitter @LinziBasset or say hello on Facebook.
“Isn’t it a universal truth that it’s our singular experiences and passion, for whatever thing or things, which molds us all into the individuals we become? Whether it's hidden in the depths of our soul or exposed for all to see?”
Linzi Basset is a South African born animal rights supporter with a poet’s heart, and she is also a bestselling fiction writer of suspense filled romance erotica books; who as the latter, refuses to be bound to any one sub-genre. She prefers instead to stretch herself as a storyteller which has resulted in her researching and writing historical and even paranormal themed works.
Her initial offering: Club Alpha Cove, a BDSM club suspense series released back in 2015, reached Amazon’s Bestseller list, and she has been on those lists ever since. Labeling her as prolific is a gross understatement as just a few short years later she has now been published over a hundred times.
“I write from the inside out. My stories are both inside me and a part of me so it can be either pleasurable to release them or painful to carve them out. I live every moment of every story I write. So, if you're looking for spicy and suspenseful, I'm your girl... woman... writer... you know what I mean!"
Linzi believes that by telling stories in her own voice, she can better share with her readers the essence of her being: her passionate nature; her motivations; and her wildest fantasies. She feels every touch as she writes, every kiss, every harsh word uttered, and this to her is the key to a never-ending love of writing.
Ultimately, all books by Linzi Basset are about passion. To her, passion is the driving force of all emotion; whether it be lust, desire, hate, trust, or love. This is the underlying message contained in her books.
Her advice: “Believe in the passions driving your desires; live them; enjoy them; and allow them to bring you happiness.”
Find her also on amazon.com/author/isabeljames in a collaboration of emotional and spiritual tales of discovery written in rich prose.
Click on her website at: https://linzibasset.com/ where you will find upcoming information about new releases, and excerpts from her books. Subscribe to her newsletter and join her on Twitter @LinziBasset or say hello on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 27, 2025
The Payment gave me everything i needed after that cliffhanger in The Debt,and more.
Jarek telling Tatiana and her grandparents why he married her dropped like a bomb,and she hated him in that moment.
To be honest,Jarek may have thought using her to reach his goal wouldn’t affect him,but it did….in unexpected ways.
His goals remained the same,but his wife proved to be more than he anticipated,much more.
The Payment had me on my toes throughout,the twists and turns kept coming,and my heart hurt for Jarek and Tatiana…..
Slowly,but surely,Tatiana started to see the truth,and it left her conflicted.
Jarek’s actions towards her showed he paid attention to her needs.
They also showed he never intended to take control of her professional life.
On the other hand….her grandfather did nothing but show his true colors.
And those turned more ugly by the minute,showing her exactly how much she meant to him…..nothing!
Her grandmother wasn’t any better as it turned out.
Having known the truth about everything that happened within the family,as well as his “business”, and never doing anything to stop her husband,was the final straw.
Jarek was well on his way to reach the goal he’d been reaching for all those years.
But he never considered what he would do with his life after…..
And he never considered finding someone he would care about again,maybe even love?
Or for his actions to be the very thing to make him lose his second chance at that love…..
In the end,i was more than happy with how everything turned out.
Everybody got exactly what they deserved,the good as well as the bad.
And the future once again looked bright…..
Jarek telling Tatiana and her grandparents why he married her dropped like a bomb,and she hated him in that moment.
To be honest,Jarek may have thought using her to reach his goal wouldn’t affect him,but it did….in unexpected ways.
His goals remained the same,but his wife proved to be more than he anticipated,much more.
The Payment had me on my toes throughout,the twists and turns kept coming,and my heart hurt for Jarek and Tatiana…..
Slowly,but surely,Tatiana started to see the truth,and it left her conflicted.
Jarek’s actions towards her showed he paid attention to her needs.
They also showed he never intended to take control of her professional life.
On the other hand….her grandfather did nothing but show his true colors.
And those turned more ugly by the minute,showing her exactly how much she meant to him…..nothing!
Her grandmother wasn’t any better as it turned out.
Having known the truth about everything that happened within the family,as well as his “business”, and never doing anything to stop her husband,was the final straw.
Jarek was well on his way to reach the goal he’d been reaching for all those years.
But he never considered what he would do with his life after…..
And he never considered finding someone he would care about again,maybe even love?
Or for his actions to be the very thing to make him lose his second chance at that love…..
In the end,i was more than happy with how everything turned out.
Everybody got exactly what they deserved,the good as well as the bad.
And the future once again looked bright…..
April 24, 2025
What an excellent story by this author. It’s a mafia tale about justice, for the family he has lost. And Tatiana is the price to pay for her grandfather’s actions. Jarek has been out for revenge for twenty years, and he’s been a player in what’s going to happen. Tatiana lost her parents because of her grandparents and now she’s found out that the love she thought she had with Jarek, has all been a game to him. And Tatiana won’t let him think she’s broken, she’s decided to stand strong and fight him. Until the unexpected happened to bring them together.
This story was so good, I couldn’t put the book down. And the author knows how to weave in the twists and turns to keep you guessing. I thought I had an idea what was going to happen but was blow away towards to end. The author writes with passion, their chemistry was hot af, just the way our readers enjoy. This duet was awesome. And I loved it ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
This story was so good, I couldn’t put the book down. And the author knows how to weave in the twists and turns to keep you guessing. I thought I had an idea what was going to happen but was blow away towards to end. The author writes with passion, their chemistry was hot af, just the way our readers enjoy. This duet was awesome. And I loved it ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
May 8, 2025
The Payment is the second book in the Sordid duet and is not a standalone.
I think this book is even darker than the first one because now, Tatania knows. She knows she's been played and just a tool in Jarek's vengeance. But there are more than one betrayal in this story and Jarek is not the worst villain in her story.
I really loved how she stays strong and become everything Jarek didn't know he needed.
This story is full of twists and impossible to put down.
I think this book is even darker than the first one because now, Tatania knows. She knows she's been played and just a tool in Jarek's vengeance. But there are more than one betrayal in this story and Jarek is not the worst villain in her story.
I really loved how she stays strong and become everything Jarek didn't know he needed.
This story is full of twists and impossible to put down.
May 1, 2025
Sordid debt book 2
Wow, wow, wow what an ending, again this was another fantastic read by Linzi. Linzi manages to draw you in, and throw you a curve ball that you won't see coming. It is almost like Linzi herself comes from a mafia family, as the attention to detail is next level. I do not like to give much away in reviews, as I like going into a book and not knowing what is coming, though I will say it is a fantastic read, and everything comes to a conclusion beautifully. Every type of emotion has been weaved into the story and I highly recommend this to everyone especially if you like a dark read AMAZING
Wow, wow, wow what an ending, again this was another fantastic read by Linzi. Linzi manages to draw you in, and throw you a curve ball that you won't see coming. It is almost like Linzi herself comes from a mafia family, as the attention to detail is next level. I do not like to give much away in reviews, as I like going into a book and not knowing what is coming, though I will say it is a fantastic read, and everything comes to a conclusion beautifully. Every type of emotion has been weaved into the story and I highly recommend this to everyone especially if you like a dark read AMAZING
April 29, 2025
★ THE PAYMENT ★
SORDID DEBT DUET, BOOK 2
A Dark Suspense Novel
“Some debts can never be forgiven…”
Oh my lanta! *First* go rest book 1, The Debt! I thought the first book was amazing, wow, book two is equally amazing if not better! Fare warning, book one ends on a hair pulling out cliffhanger! Linzi is so detailed in her writing, I am always asking myself, “How in the heck does she know so much about…X,Y, and Z?!” So in this book, once again, we have MMC, Jared, who has a score to settle with, MFC, Tatiana’s grandfather. Well, the score is settled with none other than “utilizing” (I use this word to not give too much away) Tatiana. Jared is a scarred, revengeful, tactical character who will stop at nothing to avenge what was done to him in his past…however, in doing so, he’s questioning his character and who he really is meant to be. Oh, and did I mention he’s known as “The Dark One” of the mafia underworld? Tatiana, is a boss babe who holds her own for sure! She’s the granddaughter of the head of the Bratva, who has somewhat been sheltered from the lifestyle; however, family secrets always find a way to come to light. Tatiana is caught up between her Bratva heritage and The Dark One. Ohhhhhh, what a tangled, steamy, wild web that is woven…Enjoy the reads!!!! 🖤 Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice🌶️🌶️🌶️
SORDID DEBT DUET, BOOK 2
A Dark Suspense Novel
“Some debts can never be forgiven…”
Oh my lanta! *First* go rest book 1, The Debt! I thought the first book was amazing, wow, book two is equally amazing if not better! Fare warning, book one ends on a hair pulling out cliffhanger! Linzi is so detailed in her writing, I am always asking myself, “How in the heck does she know so much about…X,Y, and Z?!” So in this book, once again, we have MMC, Jared, who has a score to settle with, MFC, Tatiana’s grandfather. Well, the score is settled with none other than “utilizing” (I use this word to not give too much away) Tatiana. Jared is a scarred, revengeful, tactical character who will stop at nothing to avenge what was done to him in his past…however, in doing so, he’s questioning his character and who he really is meant to be. Oh, and did I mention he’s known as “The Dark One” of the mafia underworld? Tatiana, is a boss babe who holds her own for sure! She’s the granddaughter of the head of the Bratva, who has somewhat been sheltered from the lifestyle; however, family secrets always find a way to come to light. Tatiana is caught up between her Bratva heritage and The Dark One. Ohhhhhh, what a tangled, steamy, wild web that is woven…Enjoy the reads!!!! 🖤 Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice🌶️🌶️🌶️
April 23, 2025
Wow! What an intense and perfect ending to his incredible duet! After reading The Debt and how it left me feeling, I couldn’t wait for The Payment! I was dying to know what happened next! I love Mafia style stories and when they mix Russian and Irish, I just knew it would be epic. This story tells the ongoing story of Jarek and Tatiana, a marriage made through a payment on a debt. These two are volatile together, yet I knew somehow, someway they had to end up together. Tatiana needed to break down Jarek’s walls, and he vowed to never love again, and I knew it wouldn’t be an easy journey for these two. There are lies, betrayals and deceit, but there is also lust and love between them that is so palpable you can feel it coming off the pages. Tatiana has lived a life of falsehoods and all that comes to life, and my heart broke for her. But I knew that Jarek would somehow become her savior, even if he wasn’t sure himself that he could be that person. I enjoyed the witty banter, the push and pull, the sizzling chemistry, just all of it! My heart was broken and put back together and I completely fell in love with this story and these amazing characters. If ever there was a duet to read, this is it! It’s brilliant!
April 23, 2025
This Dark Mafia Romance was intense, dangerous and utterly captivating. Linzi knows how to weave a story filled with lies, deceit, tension, passion and twists and turns kept me glued to the pages. The chemistry they have is off the charts and the way their relationship evolves is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating. Linzi has a unique writing style. She does not hold back on the dark and gritty elements, yet balances them beautifully with vulnerability and moments of raw emotion.
If you love a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat The Payment, The Sordid Debt Duet 2 is a must read.
5 Stars Would recommend to all Dark Mafia Romance lovers.
If you love a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat The Payment, The Sordid Debt Duet 2 is a must read.
5 Stars Would recommend to all Dark Mafia Romance lovers.
April 29, 2025
Jarek is filled with danger, violence, vengeance, and retribution. He is determined to retrieve that which was stolen from him by Tatiana’s grandfather, Gregor Polov.
Together, Jarek and Tatiana enter a marriage. Tatiana is filled with love and trust. Jarek is armed with hatred and vengeance. How will these two damaged individuals find a way to settle their differences? Will they be able to find a new path filled with healing, trust, understanding, forgiveness, and ultimately acceptance?
This is an exciting, chaotic, and loving story of two needy souls searching for peace and redemption.
Together, Jarek and Tatiana enter a marriage. Tatiana is filled with love and trust. Jarek is armed with hatred and vengeance. How will these two damaged individuals find a way to settle their differences? Will they be able to find a new path filled with healing, trust, understanding, forgiveness, and ultimately acceptance?
This is an exciting, chaotic, and loving story of two needy souls searching for peace and redemption.
April 21, 2025
Love and hate are two sides of the same coin and for Tatiana nothing could be truer. Jarek mislead her, but he never hurt her and the chemistry between them is so so hot and the scene at the club will blow your mind. How anyone can be as evil as her grandfather is beyond me, but I did feel badly for her grandmother who seemed to really love her. This is nonstop action from start to finish with just enough steamy scenes and a heartfelt ending that made me cry.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews