The Night I Saved Him: A Forced Proximity Mafia Romance Prequel

by Kat Steele

I saved a stranger in an alley.
Now the most dangerous man in the city is looking for me.

Rowan Hale is a trauma surgeon. Chaos is part of the job.
But nothing prepares her for the night she finds a man bleeding out behind the hospital.
He’s tall. Powerful. Clearly running from something deadly.

And the only thing he says before passing out
“No police.”

Rowan should have walked away.
Instead, she saves him.
What she doesn’t know is that the man she just pulled back from death is Kiren Sovarin—heir to one of the most ruthless Bratva empires in the world.

Hours later, Kiren wakes to betrayal.
His father is dead.
His enemies are closing in.

And someone powerful wants the Sovarin heir eliminated before he can take the throne.
But through the blood and the chaos, one memory refuses to fade.

The woman with the storm-gray eyes who refused to let him die.
Now Kiren is the new pakhan.
And the first order he gives his men is simple.

Find her.
Because the moment Rowan saved his life…

She tied herself to a Bratva king.

Genres: Amazon

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2026

Reviews

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

5 ⭐️ Read
I loved this Prequel to the Merciless Mercy: Sovarin Bratva Series and I was so happy that I got eARCS for Book 1 and Book 2 of this series and I can’t wait to find out what happens with Rowan Hale and Kiren Sovarin!!!! And how she helped save his life too. And I recommend this pre view of this series and I also recommend to read this before you start book 1 and book 2.

[Cathy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the prelude to the Bratva. The Pakhan was killed in an ambush by one of his most trusted captains, Arkady Voronin. He murdered Kiren Sovarin’s father, leading Kiren to become the new Pakhan, determined to uncover who was behind his father’s death and the attempt on his own life. Kiren has moved his sister to a secure location and is still recovering from being left to die in an alley outside a hospital, where Rowan Hale found him and kept him from bleeding out until his people arrived. I revisited this prelude after starting *His to Claim* by Kat Steele, curious about what led to Dr. Rowan Hale and Kiren’s first meeting. It was a fascinating read.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pulls you in.

I really love a book that gives you details of a persons life, without boring you with too many details. Meeting Rowen is quick and you immediately get that she's a skilled Doctor. I'm guessing a Trauma surgeon, since she's there when Sergei is brought in crashing quickly from the injuries he's suffering from. This impacts her hard, because she still can't get over the wounded man in the parking garage, that she couldn't really do anything for, before she's forced to run, at his insistence. I am already invested in this story, and will be getting the next one. Trish. A

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a way to open a series... I don't think anyone that is into bratva/mafia type stories wouldn't be drawn here. I love how drawn and affected Rowan was by her encounter with Kieran. As a trauma surgeon leaving a patient isn't in her but survival well survival is hardwired in us all. I can't wait to see how the story of the two of them evolve together the traits we have seen so far this could be a fantastic series open to so many wonderful possibilities.

[Kristina Schurmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. This sets up the series so well. It gave a great solid backstory for the series. I love Kiren and Rowan as a "couple". I love how smart and cautious Rowan is. I love how protective and steady Kiren is. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. It was a quick and easy novella to read. I definitely recommend.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrifying and Compelling

She’s an ER doctor on her way off shift when she sees him injured. She rushes over applies pressure to the wound and tells him to stay with her. When the cars come he tells her to run. Intense story, complex people and a story I need more of!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant start to this trilogy. Full of action and suspense. Another start off to a brilliant read by one of my favourite authors.

Received a ARC copy from the author.

[Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A WAR IS COMING

The beginning of a war, exciting. I'm intrigued, unsettled, waiting for more. Because if this is a preview next I hope will be better

[Jessica]

4.5 Stars

[JoAnn]

Outstanding!!!!

This is an outstanding beginning to a new series. Cannot wait to start the series and also her other books.

[Camila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and well written! Got me pumped for more.

[Amanda Montoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

picked

God this book I love it and I can wait to continue the saga it has me already hooked on the series