Kael Knox doesn’t lose. Not in the cage. Not in business. And definitely not with women.
He runs the mafia with fists, silence, and a reputation soaked in fear. When a girl is handed to him after a fight, bruised, made up like a toy, and barely able to meet his eyes, he doesn’t ask why. He doesn’t care who she is. She’s just another reward for a job well done.
So he takes her. He uses her in the back room with his hands still taped and his blood still drying. It’s quick, cold, and forgettable. She doesn’t cry. Doesn’t fight. Just waits for it to be over.
Then he leaves.
It should’ve ended there.
Only it isn't, because days later, inside a warehouse meant for cleaning up messes, Kael kills a man who crossed him, he believes there are no witnesses and that he made no mistakes.
Until he hears movement.
In a dark corner of the warehouse, hidden and tied up, is the same girl he used and forgot. Ayla Virella. Eyes wide. Dress torn. And she saw everything. She’s a problem now, and Kael doesn’t like problems.
“I don’t save people. I contain problems. Congratulations...you’re a fucking problem now.”
Indie author of Hot Fiction. Billiejo Priestley was born in 1987 in Leeds, she currently still lives in Leeds, UK and is a mum.
She focuses primarily on writing and publishing work than other career aspects. Billiejo writes books that are often taboo, dark and forbidden romance varieties.
Subjects that many steer away from through fear of others views. Her books are not for the faint of heart. Most feature aspects of BDSM, Polyamory, and often life issues, including mental health, addiction and abuse.
She writes things that can be seen as triggers, but her books also give lessons, teach people the signs of bad relationships. Reading is something that should broaden our horizons and open our minds.
Reading was never intended to easy, straightforward and reflect our own lives. Reading was intended to teach us things. Show us an insight into others lives, even if fictional, so when the day comes, we meet someone like the characters, we can relate. This is why many of Billiejo’s book features taboo subjects.
This book said “peace was never an option” and then absolutely committed.
Dual POV. Dual storyline . Dual emotional damage. Kael is controlling, ruthless, and morally questionable at best — and yet I was glued to the page like, sir?? relax??? Ayla is strong, layered, and refuses to be a background character in her own trauma. Their pasts and present collide in the most chaotic, well-written way.
The writing is clean, sharp, and knows exactly what it’s doing. The emotions range from tension to rage to “why am I sweating right now.” The twists at the end? Disrespectful. I trusted NOTHING.
And the spice??? 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 Illegal. Unnecessary. Absolutely appreciated. 🔥🥵
Dark, twisted, intense, and slightly unhinged — just how I like my romance. Highly recommend if you enjoy pain, passion, and books that leave you staring at the ceiling afterward.