Ruthless Ashes: A Russian Mafia Romance

by Kat Steele

I thought the dog was the threat… until I met the man holding the leash.

One minute I’m delivering lattes.
The next, a giant German shepherd takes me out like a linebacker,
and his owner—Luka Barinov—stares down at me like I’m a threat he needs to eliminate.

Bratva heir.
Sin in a suit.
A man who treats suspicion like oxygen.

He decides I’m connected to his enemies.
Then my café burns down.
My sister disappears.
And Luka decides “coincidence” is a bedtime story for idiots.

So he takes me.
Locks, questions, growls—all included.

I should hate him.
I want to hate him.
But my body is too busy betraying me every time he steps close.

And Vega—the traitor dog?
He adopts me on sight.
His owner is still figuring out whether I’m a threat… or the woman he can’t walk away from.

When the truth about my family detonates,
when the real enemy demands my life as leverage,
Luka stops interrogating me.
He starts protecting me like he was born for it.
Bleeding for me.
Burning for me.
Undoing me in ways I can’t fight.

Until one secret changes everything.
One heartbeat.
One test.
Two pink lines.

I wasn’t a coincidence.
I was a target.
A weapon.
A weakness.
And now… I’m his.

Ruthless Ashes, book one in the Barinov Bratva duo, is a dark mafia romance for readers who crave obsession, danger, broken trust, brutal devotion, morally grey antiheroes, and the kind of love that scorches everything in its path.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2026

Reviews

[Kristina Schurmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The tension and chemistry between Sage and Luka was so good. The story had a great plot with unexpected twists. I think one of the best characters is Vega, the dog! Vega added so much to the story. I am eager for the next book since this story ended on a cliff hanger. I would recommend this story!

[Karen Lovvorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tension, violence, strong feeling perhaps even love if the ruthless Pakhan would admit it. However, admitted thing would been as weak and he is not weak. The woman in question if named Sage. She is resilient, nothing he saw coming for him. The book ends on a cliffhanger or ridge in Aspen. Well worth the read!🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[Patricia Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sage buried her mother a few years ago and runs the coffee shop by herself. She and her sister Hope, take care of each other, but Hope has epilepsy which could kill her easily if help is not immediately available. She meets Luka when his dog, Vega, runs into her causing four coffee orders to go flying over the both of them and immediately finds him arrogant and unpleasant, if good looking. Later she texts her sister about the incident ending the text with, "I'll pay to clean his suit if I can take him out of it". Much later in the day she realizes she sent that text to Luca after he put his number in her phone and texted himself from it to get her number.

When he starts sitting in her stop for hours each day the only relief she gets is when Vega sits at her feet instead of his. She and the dog start to bond while she fumes at Luka's actions. Luka also seems focused on her last name and a man named Ray with her last name who she has never heard of. When he kidnaps her to interrogate her about her family tree, she is confused and furious with him as well as worried about her sister who needs someone to stay with her all the time in case she seizes.

Sparks start to fly between them, she learns of her father's and uncle's connection to the Bratva and the danger she and Hope are in as her uncle is determined to use one or both as leverage over Luka since he has started protecting Sage and Hope. Hope is then kidnapped by the uncle just as Luka is preparing to have her moved from the medical facility she is in to his security reinforced cabin for protection.

A search ensues with many dead ends and few strings to follow. But Luka perseveres and finally pulls the right thread? they hope. Book 2 is ready to go and I can't wait to get it.

[Alyssa's BookShelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Affinity Star read!!!!!! 💫
First I want to thank the author Kat Steele for giving me an ARC of this book!!!!
Loved this book!!!!
It is one of my favorites for the year. And I also couldn’t put this book down because I love it that much and I wanted to see what happens next in the book.📖
At First I didn't like Luka and how he treated her in the book but then getting more into the book I was liking him more.
Loved the romance between Saga and Luka!!!!
Loved how he protected her and her sister Hope in this book.
I also loved how strong Saga is in the book and also how she stood up for herself against Luka. And she also works hard for herself and her sister.
I felt sad for Saga's sister Hope and that she is sick and it takes alot out of her and also Saga too.
I loved Luka's dog Vega in this book and how he was with Saga throughout this book.
Loved when Luka called Saga "printsessa" in this book.
I also liked Luka's sister Anya too in this book.
And I also felt sorry for all the things that were happening to Saga in this book.
And I can't wait to see what happens in the 2 book in this series and also see more of Luka and Saga's romance together and I am also going to read other books by Kat Steele too. I recommed this book too.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this from author as an ARC copy.

What can I say, besides another winner and page turner.
Luka and Sage meet accidentally and he thereafter cannot leave her alone, ending up "kidnapping" her. Been the Pakhan, he has to act as one , he cannot let feelings interfere....but that is slowly exactly what happens when Sage enters his life. Sage is the strong minded one, who has to do everything to ensure she has enough money for her sister medical expenses n medication. And then Luka enters her world and she ends up loosing her business n sister....This book is full of suspense, action and ends with a cliffhanger. Loved the interaction with all especially with the dog Vega.

Can't wait to read book 2.

[Jessie Strefeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the moment Vega knocked Sage on her bottom! Sage is a courageous young woman who is committed completely to her family and when she collides with Luka and his world she meets him with a stubborn determination as steely as his. I love the blossoming attraction between them ….even if they are both determined to ignore it….and I love that Luka is so devoted to reuniting Sage and her sister. I can hardly wait to see what Sage is willing to sacrifice in the cliffhanger of an ending to get her sister back! I could hardly set this book down….an instant page turner!

[Erika Komáromi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was present when the author's first series was released. Since then I have loved and waited for her novels. Ruthless Ashes, Part 1 of Barinov Bratva. The tension, the unexpected twists are also present here. Enemy love, the presence of the mafia. I loved the development of the relationship between FMC and MMC, unexpected events. By the time the tension increased, I was biting my nails :), the first part was over. Please send me the ending!!!! Thank you for the opportunity to read the ARC!!!!
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[Yvonne Amarh]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from the author.
Wow, what a read! Sage lost her mother a few years ago and she only has her Cafe and her sister Hope, who has epilepsy. When she was almost run over by a German shepherd named Vega, she spilled the coffee she was carrying over herself and the dog's owner, Luka. Will Luka see this as a chance encounter, or will he see it as a setup. Can't wait for book #2!!!

[Larry Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of Kat's books are excellent but this one had me hooked on the first chapter. You have the hero, Luka, th heroine, Sage, the beloved sister, Hope, and of course Vega. You need to read the book to find
out about Vega. This book is filled with alot of suspense and of course the love that is growing. You have got to read this book

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was slow to start, but it got fantastic fast. I love all her books, but this one got hot and heavy fast. The MMC and the FMC developed and grew, and I actually read the book in 2 days. Luca and Sage are fantastic and it's a really good... and lets not forget Vegain all this either .. fantastic
I received a free copy of this book for my honest review

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

This story had me from the dog scene with Sage. It is packed with juicy tid bits that kept me glued to the pages and drawn in to Luca a man of mystery. Sage has a lot of responsibility and when Luca enters her life everything changes. Theirs is a tumultuous journey that has me waiting for the next book to see how it all ends for them.
I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.

[Shana Roszko]

Wow so much stuff was always going on in this book. Love Vega and man the last 8% was a emotional roller coaster. Favourite parts would have to be right at the beginning where Vega knocks her flying while she was carrying the coffees and Luka was grumpy and made it seem like her fault. Second was Vega pushing her out out of the way of danger at the end of the book. Can't wait for book two.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruthless Ashes is a wonderfully written and is a mafia romance that will hold the readers attention from start to finish. The main characters are Luka and Sage who are enemies from the beginning, but do feel a spark. Vega ( the loyal dog ) is a great addition to this story. This story has suspense, action and romance. This story is enjoyable and a page-turner. Look forward for more.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruthless Ashes is a dark mafia romance, and book one in the Barinov Bratva duo. An entertaining read, with beautifully written, complex characters. It is Intense, gripping, and unpredictable twists throughout. I can't wait for the next book!!

[Shana Roszko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow so much stuff was always going on in this book. Love Vega and man the last 8% was a emotional roller coaster. Favourite parts would have to be right at the beginning where Vega knocks her flying while she was carrying the coffees and Luka was grumpy and made it seem like her fault. Second was Vega pushing her out out of the way of danger at the end of the book. Can't wait for book two.

[Debra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Returned after reading 30% or so. Just wasn't connecting with the characters. It was bizarre how they met and he was over the top with attitude. The kidnapping part early on in the story was ridiculous and didn't make sense. Everything was overdone.

[Tina Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonder and entertaining story. I really enjoyed it. I love the mystery and romance together. Very well written

[melissa smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely amazing book. Full of action and romance. Grabs and holds your attention from beginning to end.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruthless ashes was Luca and Sage’s story. It was a steamy, engaging, action packed read. I received an early copy. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[Laurie hammarstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a Fan

This is my first read by Kat Steele and my last. I am not a fan of her writing style. There are too many good authors to waste my time on this.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruthless Ashes is book 1 in the Barinov Bratva duet. It's Luca and Sage's story and is it ever fantastic! This story is loaded with betrayals, secrets, lies, twists and turns from all over. Just when Sage thinks things may take a turn something happens. No matter what the choice she makes there's no good outcome. This story had me all over the place. I can't wait for Ruthless Smoke!