Bought by the Bratva Boss

The Kingpins' Brides #2

by A.J. Black

I never thought a broken zipper would trap me naked in the locker room…
And definitely not with my boss—Chicago’s most dangerous man.

Caroline
I was desperate.
One scandal ruined my career, one debt crushed my family. Romance was a dream.
Until Raymond Thorne.
Cold. Scarred. A Bratva king in a tailored suit.
He offered me a contract I couldn’t
One year. His wife. Fifty million dollars.

I thought I could survive the devil.
I didn’t expect to burn under his touch.

Now his biggest secret grows inside me.
And running is the only way to survive him.

Raymond
I don't do love. I do deals.
Caroline was a transaction—a beautiful, desperate one.
She was supposed to be quiet. Obedient.
But she looked at me like no one else dared. She tasted like forgiveness.

I claimed her—every way, everywhere.
I thought that would keep her.
Then she ran with what's mine.

Now I'll break every rule to hunt her down.
This time, the contract is forever.

Genres: Mafia Romance

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2025

About the author

A.J. Black writes stories for readers who crave dangerous thrills, dark love, and secrets too big to hide.

Her books are filled with fierce, dominant men who will stop at nothing to claim what's theirs—and heroines who fall for them, even when they know it’s dangerous.

Expect mafia bosses, contract marriages, and love that isn’t just about hearts—it’s about power, possession, and burning passion.

In A.J. Black’s world, survival and seduction collide in explosive, fiery moments.

When the dust settles, no one is the same.

Reviews

[Karen Lovvorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely recommend!!

Sometimes, a sordid take with a hardcore Bratva group of men. And there is a beauty no one expected. Her sensuous pics leaked on the company site sets the CEO afire!

[Kristen (IG: books.n.snakes)]

DNF AT 30%. This story did not flow naturally at all. There was no buildup to the contract aspect. It was very insta-everything. I did try to skim forward just a bit to see if it would get any better, unfortunately it did not. Hard DNF at 55%

[Shelley G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very emotional, complex story of Raymond a mob boss trying to get away from illegal businesses and go all legit while fighting his uncle who insists on keeping to the old ways of drugs guns etc, and undermines him at every turn. Raymond needs a temp wife to shut up the elders because he has no heir so he ends up contracting with Caroline for a yr to help her sister out of a mafia debt and because she just got fired from his company for boudoir photos being sets to everyone at work instead of the documents necessary. He feels she’ll be controllable and just a business arrangement with no feelings or drama. But that’s not how it works out as Caroline slowly gets under his skin to the broken man hiding inside who’s faced unbelievable tragedy and trauma. But Raymond is too broken to accept his feelings or her love esp when he fears she could be targeted and killed like his mother was. So in a desperate act of self preservation he pushes her away as cruelly as possible then is shocked when she runs away hiding her trail so well he can’t find her for years. He never knows he just lost his child as well because she finds out she’s pregnant and exactly what kind of family he’s the head of. 3 yrs later he finally discovers her and that he has a child and sets out to win her back but she wants no part of it being hurt so deeply. But Raymond has been busy the last three yrs changing his world to make it safe for her, pulling himself out of the darkness he lived in and changing with all the days of regret and lost love he’s endured. He won’t force anyth So sets out to win her one day at a time at her pace knowing he can’t live without her and he can’t fail. This is his last chance to have the one person he can’t live without and the family he never thought he deserved. He can’t get this wrong. Can he ever win Caroline’s forgiveness and get her to open her heart one final time?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

​By the time I hit the midway point of this book, I found myself checking the cover to ensure I hadn't accidentally swapped books in the dark. What begins with the promise of a high-stakes mafia romance abruptly shifts gears into a domestic drama that feels entirely disconnected from its origins.

​The primary issue is a lack of narrative tension. While I walked in expecting the smoke and mirrors of organized crime—clandestine meetings, external threats, and the suffocating pressure of "the life"—I instead found a narrative bogged down by family issues that they don't quite reveal. The "outside interference" that usually drives this genre is curiously absent, leaving the plot to stall.

​The reading experience is confusing, to say the least. Near the end, it felt as though I’d picked up a vintage Harlequin romance from my mother’s nightstand, only to find it interrupted by unnecessarily lengthy, graphic interludes that felt more like a distraction than a plot point.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is in need of a temporary wife to satisfy his elders, and Caroline has just resigned from her job because of a mishap but needs to find a way to get a million dollars to save her sister. Raymond propositions her to be his temporary wife for him paying off her sister's loan and it begins their tumultuous journey. Raymond's family dynamics puts him in a dilemma because he wants to take the family business legitimate meaning giving up some aspects that is dangerous. When he pushes Caroline away for her safety, he realizes too late what he has lost including the fact that she was with child. Will they find a way back to each other and rekindle the love that was growing between them. Raymond and Caroline's story is an emotional rollercoaster that draws you in and had me connecting with them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula K · Rating 4 out of 5]

The love story of Bratva Pakhan Raymond and his Contracted Wife Caroline has a very rocky start. It seemed like after she ran & had their daughter Aurora, things got more interesting and entertaining. Raymond’s Past shaped his emotions and how he tried to protect Caroline. When he finds her again & meets his daughter, things start to fall into place more for him & their eventual family. It was a better story than some of the other books like these I have read.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story!

Caroline meets Mr Throne to ask for help with her problems. Someone is threshing to hurt her sister unless she pays one million dollars. Mr Throne is Caroline boss, he asks her to sign a contract agreeing to be his wife for one year then he will pay off her sisters bills! They are attracted to each other and soon become lovers. A great story.

[mary jo miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful.

It has a stern boss, a employee a contract, but his past keeps him from loving her, they fall apart and she disappears, for 3 years, then he finds her and he try’s to make amends, but she has a secret and a new life….but it all works out…..a must read

[Jenny Sundstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought by the Bratva Boss

Enjoyed reading this book, interesting storyline. Was rushed in parts but the ending had me laughing while drinking coffee in the coffee shop. Couldn't put it down.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good storyline!

This is an author who is new to me, I've finished the book and I enjoyed it. Well written, good characters and enjoyable storyline. I'm going on to read the next book.💖

[Jennifer Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent until the end

It was a decent story. I enjoyed the plot. There were series continuity issues that could have been resolved with better editing. The ending - from about 70% on was just ridiculous. I skipped through half of it. It felt like a teenager started writing it.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pulse pounding edge of your seat romance book right here about Caroline and Raymond. The way this book is written keeps you engaged from the cover (which is HOT I might add) and the romantic put a smile on your face ending.

[Vanessa Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad storyline. MC had some real trauma that he had difficulty living with and a lot of guilt. FC was a very kind caring soul, so took on her sister’s debts. The relationship between MC and FC was quite complex but eventually all came right in the end

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed bratva boss’s contract bride which was Raymond and Caroline’s story. It was an intriguing read. I received an early copy. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[Christy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made absolutely no sense. It felt all jumbled. No flow or sense of time. The main characters both are too immature to be in a relationship of any kind. I finished it but regret wasting my time.

[Mary Ellen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought by the Bratva Boss

A very good story right from the beginning was told. I think they made a cute couple. I like the Grandfather. He really enjoyed his family.

[Lisa Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh my gosh

Oh my gosh, what a great book the way she took control and found a way to keep her family safe no matter what she had to do

[Susan The Trucker · Rating 2 out of 5]

So confusing

I liked the first book but this book has me puzzled. It started off in a weird way and it set the tone for the entire book - utter confusion.

[sheryl blaszczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story

I loved this story so much. That little Aurora had me hysterical. She was too funny. Loved how Robertcame around and how close they became. Great story

[Kali McQuillen]

rtc

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is in need of a temporary wife to satisfy his elders, and Caroline has just resigned from her job because of a mishap but needs to find a way to get a million dollars to save her sister. Raymond propositions her to be his temporary wife for him paying off her sister's loan and it begins their tumultuous journey. Raymond's family dynamics puts him in a dilemma because he wants to take the family business legitimate meaning giving up some aspects that is dangerous. When he pushes Caroline away for her safety, he realizes too late what he has lost including the fact that she was with child. Will they find a way back to each other and rekindle the love that was growing between them. Raymond and Caroline's story is an emotional rollercoaster that draws you in and had me connecting with them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.