Desperate Secrets: A Mergers & Acquisitions Book

by C.D. Gorri

Royalty. Romance. And a secret that could destroy them both.

Atlas James Stavros
Being born the bastard son of a long-forgotten monarchy has its perks.
Wealth. Privilege. Access.
But money can’t buy everything. Adventure, power, and the respect my father was denied—that’s what I want. And when Sigma International agrees to purchase a shipment of my merchandise, I make sure I’m the one who delivers it to America.
What they don’t know? I’ve got an axe to grind. The Volkovs and the Furys are the reason my father was cut out of a deal that should’ve made him billions. Betrayal runs in their blood, and I plan to make them pay.
Only nothing is as it seems with this family. Lies and secrets run deeper than loyalty.
And then there’s her.
Cecilia Batiste.
Deadly, brilliant, irresistible.
She should be my enemy. She should be a means to an end.
Instead, she might be the only woman capable of bringing me to my knees.

Cecilia Batiste
Law school didn’t ruin me like my mother said it would.
Working for my father just might.
It’s one thing to be the daughter of a Viper—it’s another to spend every day under his thumb, handling legal deals that walk the razor’s edge of criminal. My family is everything, but I’m desperate for freedom.
And then Atlas Stavros walks into my life.
Sharp smile. Royal blood. Secrets written in every line of his body.
He’s temptation wrapped in danger.
A ticket out—or a trap I can’t escape.
Will the bastard prince and the Viper’s daughter find a way to rewrite the rules, or will the secrets between us tear everything apart?

436 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2025

About the author

C.D. Gorri is a USA Today Bestselling author of steamy contemporary & paranormal romance & urban fantasy.

She is the creator of the Grazi Kelly Universe.

Join her mailing list here: https://www.cdgorri.com/newsletter

An avid reader with a profound love for books and literature, when she is not writing or taking care of her family, she can usually be found with a book or tablet in hand. C.D. lives in her home state of New Jersey where many of her characters or stories are based. Her tales are fast paced yet detailed with satisfying conclusions.

If you enjoy powerful heroines and loyal heroes who face relatable problems in both contemporary and supernatural settings, journey into C.D. Gorri's Universe today.

You will find sassy, curvy heroines and sexy, love-driven heroes who find their HEAs between the pages. Werewolves, Bears, Dragons, Tigers, Witches, Romani, Lynxes, Foxes, Thunderbirds, Vampires, and many more Shifters and supernatural creatures dwell within her worlds. The most important thing is every mate in this universe is fated, loyal, and true lovers always get their happily-ever-afters.

Want to know how it all began? Enter the Grazi Kelly Universe with Wolf Moon: A Grazi Kelly Novel or pick up Charley's Christmas Wolf and dive into the Macconwood Pack Novel Series today.

For a complete list of C.D. Gorri's books visit her website here:

https://www.cdgorri.com/complete-book...

Thank you and happy reading!

del mare alla stella,
C.D. Gorri

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Reviews

[Sara Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book 8 in The Mergers & Acquisitions Book Series has an entertaining, revenge romance story, a well-crafted, interconnected world and strong characters. These characters have unique personalities, complicated histories and believable interactions. She is the daughter of "Luc Batiste", (from the book "Devious Lies (Jersey Bad Boys Book 2)") also the counsel for the deal, & he is the son of a man robbed of his cut of a deal by "the Volkovs and the Furys" also looking for revenge. The story has a plot of revenge, lies, secrets, betrayal, twists, turns, hurt feelings, finding the truth, kidnapping, danger, chemistry, strength, love and HEA.

[Lori Hammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecelia and Atlas. Their story starts with business contracts and secret motives. It ends very differently with a splash of danger and suspense. I totally enjoyed it.

[Diana Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atlas and Cece’s story is one of redemption, true love and abysmal betrayal. We have met all of the characters before in the previous Mergers and Acquisitions series, except Atlas and his uncle Dimitri. This is a fast paced, “burn the world down” if you touch her read. We get so much more. The heat and love between Atlas and Cecelia comes through in every interaction they have and the way her family rallies around her is amazing to see! This is my favorite quote in the book. If you’ve read them, you’ll understand why: “To desperate men,” I say. “And the women who made us whole.” That comes from Atlas towards the end of the book. There’s one more by Cecelia:”Because if you think the men in this family are vicious? Oh, sweetheart. They learned it from us.”
Perfect ending, to a fantastic series ! 5✨’s ! I received an ARC of the book and I am choosing to leave this review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets and Sizzle

A super obsessive read where business and pleasure collide.

Atlas was on a mission of revenge until Cecelia. Now he’s possessive, obsessed and everything in his life comes second to her.

A super steamy read filled with sizzle, action, danger with a betrayal he never saw coming but his utter devotion to Cece is absolute and he would burn the world down before he would let anyone hurt her.

Their love story surpasses revenge, ambition as two souls connect and claim freedom in love.

Whew, what a storyline, intense, addictive, amazing, entertaining, full of emotion and some well loved second characters make an appearance and what a HEA, be still my heart.

I love this highly recommended read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atlas. An over-the-top protective prince, seeking revenge for a wrong that was done to his father. He thinks he can use her to get back at the Wolves and Vipers, but little did he know that she'll be the reason his inner monster comes out when she's taken from him. That betrayal will rear it's ugly head and threaten the woman he loves.
Cecilia. She's the Viper that others over look. Well educated, tattooed, pierced, and brave. She will fake marry a man that thought to use her , only it wasn't really fake as she thought.
I love the over-the-top , head over heals romances. Swoon worthy alpha men. Sassy intelligent women who sinks their nails deep into them. This book caught me from the first paragraph. Its got passion, violence, romance, betrayal, and twist and turns. Never a dull moment as you read it. I loved it!

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story. It’s action packed, steamy and sweet with secrets behind secrets. Atlas and Cecilia are perfect together but there are those who don’t want them to succeed. It’s well written with in depth characters and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Wonderful storyline. I love a man and woman who aren’t afraid to go after what and who they want!!

[Kimberly Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Jam packed full of revenge, lies, secrets, betrayal, twists, turns, danger, chemistry, strength, love and the perfect happily ever after this book was an instant five star read for me. Bittersweet to know this was the end of the series but definitely will be rereading this series.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Greek

Loved this series and all the intertwining of the characters from the Jersey Bad Boys and Wild Billionaire Romance . Cecelia and Atlas couldn’t be more different people but when they come together for real, it just works. The emotions, banter and romance are off the charts.

[Ashley Carr, LSoR]

Atlas and Cecilia’s story was fire!! It was action packed, and with secrets galore. They are absolutely perfect together, but someone or someones don’t want them to succeed. There was never a dull moment in this book, and it kept me on the edge of the seat, turning the pages from beginning to end.

[Stacy Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each story in this series just gets steamier and steamier! Gorri characters and stories just get more imaginative and twisted. Just to have a piece of Gorri imagination would be epic. This is definitely a must read series!!!

[Jill Schoenmehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desperate Secrets by C.D. Gorri, is an intense romantic story from the beginning to the end. A great way to end the series, A Mergers and Acquisitions series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading, and I haven’t even read the series. Definitely can be a stand alone book. Very intense all the way through the story.

[Melvena Asa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is action-packed and so full of exciting twists that I just could not put it down. What's a night without sleep. When it is a great book, you just can not stop reading . The whole series is fabulous.

[Teri Ruscak · Rating 5 out of 5]

C.D. Gorri
Desperate Secrets: A Mergers & Acquisitions Book
Book 8 of 8: Mergers & Acquisitions
Atlas and Cecelia
I loved this book! The characters were awesome and the spice was fire!

[Anna gardone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecilia and Atlas

Wow, this was a great series. I am sorry to see it end. This last book has lots of action, hot romance, and a happily ever after with no cliffhanger.

[T.M. Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desperate Secrets: A Mergers & Acquisitions Book
by C.D. Gorri
My Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Tammy - Book Nook Nuts

REVIEW
Finally Cecilia...

Atlas is on a mission to bring those down who wronged his father.
But did they really?

Cecilia works for her father...she is basically his right hand man in law. She is vicious in her own right. So why is she agreeing to this deal with Atlas?

She wants him, He wants her but will betrayal and business deals tear it all down.