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Ruthless Protector: A Fake Relationship Romantic Suspense
She’s a U.S. Marshal on vacation. He’s a covert agent on a mission. When her abduction threatens both their lives, the only way out…is into each other’s arms.
Ricardo Santiago never expected his latest intelligence mission in the Arabian desert to involve rescuing a kidnapped woman—especially not a fiery, suspicious beauty who challenges his every move. But when Melody Lewis is dragged in front of a Saudi sheik and offered up as a concubine, Ric doesn’t hesitate. He claims her as his own to protect her from a fate worse than death.
Melody can take care of herself—she’s been trained to. But surviving days in captivity without food or water leaves her weakened and wary of the one man standing between her and safety. He says he’s here to help. He says she can trust him. But Melody’s learned the hard way that trust can cost more than freedom—it can cost her heart.
As Ric’s cover gets shakier by the hour and his enemies close in, his only option is the marry Melody to keep her safe. But the more he fights the pull between them, the harder it becomes to tell where the act ends…and real feelings begin.
In a desert filled with secrets, betrayals, and deadly games, can Ric and Melody escape with their lives—and their hearts—intact?
The Santiago Brothers Series
Ruthless Reckoning
Ruthless Shelter
Ruthless Protector
Ruthless Pursuit
Ruthless Exposure
Final Ruthless Coming 2026!
Ricardo Santiago never expected his latest intelligence mission in the Arabian desert to involve rescuing a kidnapped woman—especially not a fiery, suspicious beauty who challenges his every move. But when Melody Lewis is dragged in front of a Saudi sheik and offered up as a concubine, Ric doesn’t hesitate. He claims her as his own to protect her from a fate worse than death.
Melody can take care of herself—she’s been trained to. But surviving days in captivity without food or water leaves her weakened and wary of the one man standing between her and safety. He says he’s here to help. He says she can trust him. But Melody’s learned the hard way that trust can cost more than freedom—it can cost her heart.
As Ric’s cover gets shakier by the hour and his enemies close in, his only option is the marry Melody to keep her safe. But the more he fights the pull between them, the harder it becomes to tell where the act ends…and real feelings begin.
In a desert filled with secrets, betrayals, and deadly games, can Ric and Melody escape with their lives—and their hearts—intact?
The Santiago Brothers Series
Ruthless Reckoning
Ruthless Shelter
Ruthless Protector
Ruthless Pursuit
Ruthless Exposure
Final Ruthless Coming 2026!
Audible Audio
Published February 17, 2026
About the author
K. Victoria Chase
28 books151 followersK. Victoria Chase is the author of romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and paranormal romance with pen names including Eliza Ellis and Zoë Lane. She's a graduate of Drexel University's MFA in Creative Writing program (2024) and a former co-managing editor for Drexel’s graduate literary magazine, Paper Dragon. She loves editing, HGTV shows, true crime podcasts, and traveling.
Visit K. Victoria Chase at http://www.kvictoriachase.com
Visit K. Victoria Chase at http://www.kvictoriachase.com
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