Lethal Alliance

by Paula Walshe

Love is deadly. Trust is lethal.

LUCIA

Roman and I are an impossible dream.
Divided by a past we didn't choose,
And promises we can't betray.

The Orlovs have taken Roman's children,
And there's nothing he won't do to get them back.
Even if that means killing my brother.

I love Roman with my entire heart. Nothing can change that. Nothing ever could.
But in a world where nothing is what it seems,
Nobody can be trusted.
Not even me.

ROMAN

I thought I knew my enemy.
But the darkness is worse than I imagined—
And now it's come for those I love.

Saving them means exposing the secrets that hold us all hostage.
Secrets bound by blood.
By death.
And by loyalty and honor.

Secrets that threaten to destroy Lucia and I forever.

I can't allow myself to think about Lucia. If I do, I risk losing everything I promised to guard.
But letting her go is harder than I could ever have imagined.
Her face on every street.
A darkness in my soul that I know will never leave.

A love that I can't forget.

*Lethal Alliance concludes Lucia and Roman's story. No cheating, and a guaranteed HEA.
The rest of the Lethal Legacy Series are standalone books set in an interconnected world.

Primarily a romance story, Lethal Alliance is set in the dangerous, high stakes world of the Russian mafia, amid international locations and a luxury billionaire lifestyle. Featuring a fast paced plot and complex characters, it has enough heat to sear the bedsheets and some violence, but is less dark than many in the genre.

TROPES
Hidden past; secret pregnancy; alpha male; intelligent FMC; found family; family secrets; possessive MMC.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Romance

Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2025

About the author

I live in Broome, a tiny tropical beach town in the far north of Western Australia. It's my favorite place in the world, and a beautiful place to dream up stories. I also work week on, week off in mining, operating drill rigs out in the Pilbara. I absolutely love my job, and the banter of the boys on my team often creeps into my books! I've loved mafia romance since I was a teenager, so writing it has felt really natural. I also write historical fiction and travel memoir under the name Paula Constant, as well as fantasy/paranormal romance under the name Lucy Holden.

Reviews

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a ride this duet has been! Roman and Darya’s journey has had so many twists and turns, secrets revealed, and yes, some surprises shocked me. I couldn’t think of a better ending for these two. 🖤

𝑰’𝒎 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰’𝒎 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒇—𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆.

I can’t wait to continue the series and read Abby & Dimitry’s next story!

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 2/2

4,5 😱💣🗝️💘🌟🌟🌟🌟s ❣️❗️❗️❗️

In case you’re wondering, I was not disappointed with this part!

I haven't been so engrossed in the plot of a story in a long time!

Revenge, hatred, betrayal and collusion spilled from the pages.
It was very suspenseful, secrets were revealed piece by piece, the twists and turns were riveting, there were a few unpredictable surprises.

The romance had a slight secondary role and it didn’t affect my interest.
I skimmed most of the spicy scenes though.

It reminded me of the good old days when I was reading great stories…

I can’t wait for the next part, Abby and Dimitri’s journey!!!! 😱😱😱

Well done Paula Walshe!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Lethal Alliance, Roman and Lucia are finally in a place of happiness. They are starting to trust each other and what they have. They are even looking towards a future together. Then something terrible happens. The Orlovs know where Lucia is and are coming for her. While Roman protects her, his children get taken.

Roman believes that Lucia’s brother is one of the men responsible for their abduction. He swears he will do whatever he has to do to get them back. He doesn’t even care if he kills him. He thinks she betrayed him as well. Nothing will stop him from getting his family back.

Paula Walshe had me reading this book from beginning to end without stopping. I was always in suspense. Roman and Lucia were caught up in a dangerous game of misunderstandings, miscommunications, and manipulation. It was an emotionally charged and action packed story. The twists kept coming until the very end. I very much enjoyed this story. It was so entertaining, I want more.

[Patricia Monica Provost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roman and Darya 🥰

This is book two of the Lethal Legacy series and end of the duet with Darya and Roman. And what a ride it was!!! Now we know why the vault, the kidnapping, the chase down in many countries, the killing, the betrayal, the secret!! It’s all in this book! Don’t forget, the steamy and spicy chemistry between the two mains characters 🥵 This book is the end of a epic story that set the tone for the next books in the series. This is a Bratva series so if you love big men,possessive men, will die for her men and will give anything to have and protect her, this is the kind of story you need to read!!! I gave a 5 stars but really it’s a 10! I highly recommend this series!!

[Erika Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it!
Perfect conclusion to Roman and Darya’s story.

Well written, planned and perfectly executed - loved the way the history/back story of the characters was weaved throughout the storyline.

There was a lovely balance of spice and romance along with the nail biting anxiety and suspense all rounded up into a HEA… Bloomin’ Fantastic!!!


I would love to see an Alexei/Ofelia/Lars story as there seems to be an inclination of Chemistry in this Trio!

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly amazing!

This series is truly amazing! It is a thriller as much as a romance, with depth and history that weaves the plot. It's not only worth bingeing, it's worth rereading. I can easily see this translated to the big screen, though to accurately capture the plot and nuance a mini-series might be more apt. I have definitely found a new favorite author!

[Patricia Monica Provost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roman and Darya 🥰

This is book two of the Lethal Legacy series and end of the duet with Darya and Roman. And what a ride it was!!! Now we know why the vault, the kidnapping, the chase down in many countries, the killing, the betrayal, the secret!! It’s all in this book! Don’t forget, the steamy and spicy chemistry between the two mains characters 🥵 This book is the end of a epic story that set the tone for the next books in the series. This is a Bratva series so if you love big men,possessive men, will die for her men and will give anything to have and protect her, this is the kind of story you need to read!!! I gave a 5 stars but really it’s a 10! I highly recommend this series!!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this duology and am happy with the ending. I skipped almost all of the spice scenes because I was so interested in the plot and what would happen next! I kind of want an Alexei / Ophelia reunion in the future when she's older, I think it would be a really interesting story line, kind of an Alexei redemption arc. Overall I really enjoyed the series and will be reading the Abby / Dimitry standalone when it comes out. Another solid 4.5 stars!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one, I wish it was just a stand alone, the plot was amazing but a little bit dense, was a hard for me to follow up the past story, but was amazingly well written and the characters well described.
I am very looking forward to Alexei and Ofelia story, please!!!

[Caitlynn Burnaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredible! Each piece of this story was well planned and executed. And the way she weaved her story - combining the history of the families and the drama of the alliances - really draws the reader in. And then there's the fantastic spice and romance. There was a delicate balance of sweet moments mixed with white knuckled anxiety. Every bit of this book was delicious - I could NOT put it down! Love, love, loved it!

[Maureen Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read sucked me in from the start and kept me hooked. Hope there is a book about Alexei and Ofelia a few years on.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely outstanding 2nd book in this trilogy.

Action packed with enough spice to keep you on the edge of your seat and enough spice to set your panties alight.

Could not put this book down
I have read hundreds of mafia books and this series so far is pretty high on my list.

I received this book as an ARC read and I loved every minute of getting lost in this world.

Can't wait for book 3😍

[Hana Tsuki · Rating 2 out of 5]

If was so hard for me read it has so meny Graphic description of torture but it was perfect end for the story.

[Tiffany Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading

I read this book in the matter of two days!! It was so good, the action, the suspense, the spice and the love! I can definitely forsee a 4th book on certain people! (Ofelia and you know who). I can't wait for the next one!

[PlotTwist&Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, let’s just address the elephant in the room:
Trigger Warnings – Kidnapping, stalking (romanticized… naturally), grief, violence, explicit sexual content, emotional manipulation, gun violence, organized crime, threats, and lots of “what the hell is wrong with me but why am I turned on” moments.
(So, you know, a perfectly normal Tuesday in dark romance.)

Plot Summary Vibes (No Spoilers):
Sweet Camille is mourning her brother (who totally did not just conveniently “kill himself,” because dark romance logic says otherwise), and next thing you know, she’s being watched harder than a Black Friday flat-screen at Walmart. Enter Diego: the broody, obsessive, sexy (and very employed by the cartel) anti-hero who thinks “surveillance” counts as foreplay. Camille’s trauma? Diego’s aphrodisiac. Camille’s defiance? Diego’s kink. Camille’s vibrator session? Diego’s live pay-per-view. It’s messed up, it’s toxic, and somehow… it’s giving panty-melting chaos.

Spice Level:
4.5 out of 5 “I need a cold shower and a therapist” stars.
If you enjoy men who literally get harder than quantum physics just from breathing near the heroine, congratulations, this is your Roman Empire. The scenes are graphic, desperate, obsessive, and so filthy that you’ll want to read it in the dark like a Victorian orphan committing a crime.

Characters:
• Camille: The stubborn, grieving sister who clearly skipped the Stranger Danger seminar in kindergarten. Has no business being this brave or this hot while making extremely questionable life choices.
• Diego: If “unhinged protector with stalking tendencies but make it sexy” was a person. Think emotional constipation meets Hulk smash meets Sexual Magnetism™.

My Honest Opinion:
The writing? Gritty, deliciously messy, like trying to eat melted chocolate in July with no napkins.
The pacing? Sprinting through red flags like it’s the Boston Marathon.
The romance? Toxic in the way your therapist would frown upon, but your inner feral creature would bark at.

Is this morally correct? Absolutely not.
Was I kicking my feet and giggling like a little demon while Diego moaned internally about Camille’s shaved cat? Yes. Absolutely yes.

The emotional damage Camille suffers? Substantial.
The emotional damage you, the reader, suffer? Worth every brain cell lost.

Rating:
4.25 Stars
(0.75 stars deducted because halfway through, you might genuinely need to text a friend “If I go missing, I was reading this.”)


Final Thoughts:
This book is messy, hot, stalkeriffic, grief-fueled foreplay with a hero who is one “stay away from her” speech away from moving into her walls. If you enjoy your men dangerous, your grief messy, and your sex scenes leaving you wondering if you should be arrested, Lethal Protector will own you.

Now, excuse me while I go hug a restraining order.

[Francheska · Rating 4 out of 5]

It picks up where book 1 leaves off .. Lucia’s brother Alexei has found her, warned her of the pending book 📖 on her way out she is approached by Roman and as their talking …the explosion, the betrayal and Roman finding out his children were taken by the Orlovs … he tells her “ run , because if anything happens to those children I will find you myself “
He goes on a mission across countries to follow the clues and get the kids back safe . Leaving trails of 🩸 and bodies until they are all reunited !
This book was the perfect conclusion to their HEA , a well written Russian Bratva dark romance !
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

[Anni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lethal Alliance is it a thriller or romance?
Really enjoyed this book.
The reading is fast paced and the characters keep you hooked. You actually care about the main characters and the little family they have created. Loved hearing Ophelia’s POV.A fast-paced, thrilling read that keeps you hooked from the start.

The chemistry between the main characters is really passionate , and emotional.

We have been introduced to many characters which should have their own book. Looking forward to Abby and Dimitris story. Also feel that Alexia and Ophelia will eventually have their story. As well as Lance and Mak.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It’s the perfect conclusion to Roman and Darya’s story.

I worried early on that Roman and Darya would spend a large chunk of the book apart. That Darya would fold under pressure etc
I didn’t need to worry this book was brilliant. The characters remained true.
I’ve read a lot of mafia romances but I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed one as much as this.

I’m just waiting for the next one now…

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by the author.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this is the second part of the duet & the conclusion of Darya & Romans initial story, I knew what I was gonna get & I'm not disappointed.

I got the first book as an eARC but purchased this one as I needed to know how it ended immediately...cliffhangers are the bane of my life.

I like that we got other perspectives but they seemed to fade again when everyone was back together. They may be mentioned in further books so you get more but rn I want more haha.

Will 1000% read the 3rd book!

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really feel the chemistry between both the main leads but I love the story. I love the little bit of action and thrill, and the twists and turns. Some characters are a waste of page like Nicky, Vera and Inger (?) but overall I enjoy the read. Alexei and Ofelia's story is gonna be weird to read about since Alexei is Darya's brother and Ofelia is Roman's daughter, but I look forward to Dimitry and Abby's story.

[Bec A · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's one of the best series I've read in a while!
The way Paula has managed to include romance, spice, history, found family, kidnapping, secret pregnancy, touch her/him and die.....so many tropes and so well written. The characters are awesome, and the storylines weave together so well. Could not fault it.

[Camille Arr · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-3.75 overall great duet really enjoyed how it all came together, good ending.
Mostly skimmed read this one and read dialogue this one had more action however still spent a ungodly amount of time inside their heads. Adding ophelia’s Pov was a nice touch to see that side of the story unfold.
Not gonna read the next one but i would be interested if there is ever one on Alexie or Mak.
1 🌶️

[Dammy E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anti-climatic is how I would describe this book.

It is still too long, without chemistry.

A sprinkle of sexual scenes that lacked any connection or follow-through.

This took me longer than usual.

Then you get bits of the other stories 🤨😏

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ one of the best mafia series it was beautifully written with a lot of suspense, spice, and great chemistry between the mfc and mmc. it was a rollercoaster of emotions. i hope alexei and ofelia get their own book. i can’t wait to read the next book! i highly recommend.

[Redcurlsangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put the book down - Bratva at its finest

I read the 2nd part in just 2 days.
Action, emotions, love, suspense and 🔥🔥🔥 smut.
Paula Walshe has a twisted mind and a great writing style.
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[Debs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot conclusion

I absolutely loved this conclusion to Darya and Roman's story. Brutal, heart-wrenching and hot! They are both hiding who they really are. Will secrets tear them both apart?

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular revelation

Love the story, the characters, the everything. The book is spectacular and kill keep you hook to the story from start to end.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg awesome duet!!!!

[Lynn Smillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb, what a story. You won’t be sorry if you read these, truly excellent.

[Peaches O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, like the first book in the series, this book was very enjoyable. It was action packed. It felt like things were unfolding rapidly and it was good to see the growth in Roman's relationship with Mickey. There were a few things I wish were handled differently. Spoilers Ahead: The first is that I do wish we got one more conversation between Alexei and Ofelia. It felt like the situation was left awkwardly. Secondly, I feel like Abby's backstory was dumped out in the end. While there were consistent hints that Abby had run or is running from equally dangerous circumstances, those moments were also left awkwardly hanging in the air. There were many opportunities in the first and second book where she could have confided in Darya. Lastly, the sex scenes, much like the first book, felt a bit repetitive. It felt like no matter the scenario, Roman was thinking about sex rather than the task at hand. I mean, his kids are kidnapped-dial it back a little. Other than those things, this was a solid follow-up to Lethal Legacy. I did not see the Vera connection coming. I will grab book 3 when it comes out.