Lawless Protector

The Dante Dynasty

by Ajme Williams

My brother just promised me to the enemy.

To stop a war between the Dante family and the Bratva, I’m being forced to marry a ruthless Russian pakhan.

Cold.
Ruthless.
A man whose wives rarely survive.

Everyone expects me to obey.

But if I’m going to be sacrificed…
I refuse to walk down that aisle untouched.

So I make one reckless decision.
I seduce the one man I can never have.

Cristian Bonetti.

My bodyguard.
My brother’s most loyal soldier.
The man sworn to protect me — not ruin me.

One forbidden night becomes stolen meetings.
Stolen kisses.
And then I miss my cycle.

Now I’m pregnant with my protector’s baby.

When our secret is discovered, Cristian is exiled and the wedding moves forward.

But Cristian Bonetti isn’t the kind of man who walks away from what’s his.

And on the day I walk down the aisle toward a monster…

The church doors explode open.

Gunshots echo.
My groom falls dead.

And the man I love is shot through the heart by my own brother.



Lawless Protector is a dark mafia romance

• Mafia princess × forbidden bodyguard
• Arranged marriage to the enemy
• Age gap obsession
• Secret pregnancy
• Virgin heroine
• Possessive “touch her and die” hero
• Exiled protector
• Mafia vs Bratva war
• Wedding-day bloodshed



One reckless night.
One forbidden love.
One baby that could start a war.

This is Book 2 in The Dante Dynasty Series.
Standalone romance. No cliffhangers. HEA guaranteed.

Genres: Dark Romance

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2026

About the author

Ajme Williams - mother, wife, daughter, dreamer, an avid reader and a writer.
When she's not writing romance, Ajme can be seen sipping coffee, gorging on dark chocolate, exercising, or travelling with family and friends. Cooking is therapeutic for her and she drools over Italian food...and men.
What to expect from her books?
Ajme loves variety, so expect a lot of second chances, secret babies, office romances, big fat fake weddings, curvy heroines and alpha heroes. HEA? Always, baby!
If you're a fan of emotional angsty contemporary romance, then you'll enjoy Ajme Williams.

Reviews

[Em · Rating 2 out of 5]

📚✨ Lawless Protector by Ajme Williams
⭐️ 2/5 | 🌶️ 2/5

I was really excited going into this one because bodyguard x mafia princess is one of my favorite tropes. There is something about the danger, the loyalty, and the forced proximity that usually makes for such a compelling read. Unfortunately, Lawless Protector didn't fully capture the intensity and emotional investment I was hoping for.

My biggest issue was the pacing. The characters often seemed to go in circles, having similar conversations and repeating the same conflicts without enough forward movement. It felt like the plot wasn't truly progressing, which made it difficult to stay invested.

Overall, I think this book had elements that could have worked really well, especially with a trope I already love, but it never reached the level of tension or emotional connection I was expecting. I'm not sure if reading the first book would have changed my experience or if this was simply a case of the story not clicking for me, but either way, I found myself wanting more.

🖤🥀🔪Reading Mood: A dangerous romance that promised chaos and protection, but left me waiting for the fire to start.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Risking it all for True Love -
Cristian was only meant to keep Valentina safe whilst she waited to get married as per the family’s arranged marriage agreement, but they soon found themselves on the run together after an attempt on her life by her soon to be groom. However, the benefit of Valentina and Cristian’s time on the run allowed them to get to know each other, whilst their attraction for each other grew and the sparks ignited into them crossing the boundaries of their relationship.

Unfortunately, Valentina and Cristian’s life was upended when she discovered the consequences of their night together, which could derail the family arrangement and destroy the deal. Although Valentina and Cristian agreed to maintain a professional relationship to ensure the agreement was adhered to, her family and her groom discovered their secret. Luckily, Cristian sought help from her brothers and proposed a plan, that would rescue Valentina from her situations and if possible give them a chance at the future they desired.

This was an intriguing romance story, that tests the strength of family dynamics against self sacrifice for family loyalty. This was a delicious and unpredictable read, that will satisfy the needs of even the most demanding reader. I can assure you that this gripping story is well worth a a place on your TBR list.

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

[Felica Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth it

I finished the first book hoping the second one would be better. All the back and forth and the characters being the dumbest I ever seen I couldn’t finish this book. I was hoping I found a new author I was so wrong.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawless Protector is book two in The Dante Dynasty Series. A full-length dark standalone romance. No cliffhangers. HEA guaranteed. A beautifully written story with complex individuals and a twisty storyline that captures the audience attention from the beginning and keeps you hooked and turning the pages. Immerse yourself in this tantalizing mind-blowing rollercoaster ride filled with heart-stopping emotions, non-stop twists and turns, scorching hot panty-melting passion, high-octane adventures, suspense, and, and surprises. An unputdownable and absorbing addictive read. This is Cristian and
Valentina story which is told from a dual POV. The stories are interconnected with individuals from the previous books stopping by and contributing to the story. Dangerous. Twisted. Dark. Compelling. Sinful. Decadent. Captivating. Another great addition to the series.

Tropes:

💀💀Mafia princess × Forbidden bodyguard
✅️Arranged Marriage to the Enemy
✅️Age Gap Trope Obsession Story
🤰🫄Secret Pregnancy Story
✅️Virgin Heroine Story
✅️Possessive Alpha Hero Story
🔫Touch-Her-and-Die-Hero Story
✅️Exiled Protector Story
☠️☠️Mafia vs Bratva War
👰‍♀🤵‍♂🩸Wedding-day Bloodshed
🛌🛏One Reckless Night
🦳🦳Silver Fox Mafia Daddy Story
✔️Contemporary Romance
✅️Romantic Suspense Story
🌑⚫️💀Dark Mafia Romance
✔️Second Chance Romance
✅️Enemies-to-Lovers Romance
✔️Hate-to-Love Vibes Story
🔫Action & Adventure Romance
👰‍♀🤵‍♂💍Forced Marriage Romance
✔️Forced Proximity Romance
✅️Betrayal, Backstabbing, Double-cross
✔️Bratva Romance
🫄🤰Unexpected Pregnancy Story
Mafia princess Valentina Dante is the baby of the Dante family as well as the only woman. And as such she always knew that the man who she ends up with will not be of her choosing. So when her brother Don Alessandro Dante told her that he had arranged her marriage between the family's rival Bratva pakhan Maksim Vasiliev in order to prevent a war between the two factions. She was not happy with the arrangement even though she know that it's her duty to her family. Maksim is cold-blooded and ruthless, a man whose wives rarely survives. She's also a virgin who knows that she as very little control over her life but what she does have control of is who she gives her virginity to. Everyone expects her to obey but she believes that if she's going to be sacrificed she refused to walk down that a Valentina has been in love with her bodyguard/protector for many years. She decided to seduce him and in one stolen night of forbidden passion which resulted in her getting pregnant with his child. Cristian Bonetti as been her bodyguard and brother's most loyal solider. The man who sworn to protect her and not ruin her.
Their one forbidden night becomes stolen meetings. Stolen kisses and then she missed her cycle. Each stolen moments only grew their affection for each other turning into love. Now she's pregnant with her protectors baby. And when their secret is discovered, Cristian was exiled and the wedding moves forward. Maskim found out that she was no longer a virgin and is furious and he wants Cristian dead before he will go through with the marriage for the peace deal. Cristian and Alessandro decided to come up with a plan to trick Maskim and tell hom that he's dead. And on the day of the wedding as she walks down the aisle towards the monster, the church doors explode open. Gunshots echo All hell broke loose and chaos unsue Maskim was shot and kill by Cristian. And the who she loves is shot through his heart by her own brother.
Cristian was betrayed and double-cross by Alessandro going against their plan because he was pissed that he had touch his sister. Luca whisk her away for her protection to his home in Chicago. They believe that she's not safe and that they will be retaliation from the Russians for the death of their leader. But Cristian isn't the kind of man who walks away from what's his. Will Cristian and Valentina finds each other again? Will Alessandro forgive him for touching his sister and welcome him as her love? Will they get their HEA?

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

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

She was promised to a monster. Her protector became her sin.

Valentina knows exactly what her family is asking of her. To stop a war, she has to marry the ruthless pakhan who looks at her like a prize already won. She agrees because loyalty is the language she was raised in, but obedience has never come naturally to her.

Cristian is supposed to keep her safe until the wedding. He’s disciplined, loyal, and built for restraint, but Valentina sees the man beneath the control. The more she tests him, the more dangerous the silence between them becomes, until duty starts feeling like betrayal.

What begins as one reckless choice turns into stolen kisses, secret nights, and a love neither of them can afford. Cristian tries to protect her without taking what isn’t his, while Valentina fights for one part of her life to belong to her before everything else is decided.

As the wedding closes in, their secret turns every choice into a risk. Love becomes more than desire. It becomes a threat, a refuge, and the one truth they can’t make themselves give up.

Valentina grows from a cornered mafia princess trying to reclaim one choice with her body into a woman who claims love, motherhood, and freedom as things she’s allowed to want. Cristian shifts from a duty-bound protector who measures himself by obedience into a man willing to break every rule for the woman he loves. Together, they move from forbidden restraint to stolen intimacy, building a bond shaped by choice, protection, and trust.

A dark, ultra-steamy mafia romance about forbidden love, forced marriage, secret pregnancy, and the brutal cost of choosing yourself in a world built to own you. It’s about reclaiming choice under control, finding refuge in dangerous love, and a protector who becomes a threat the moment devotion matters more than orders.

The Elevator Pitch: To end a war, a mafia princess is handed to the enemy, but the man assigned to guard her becomes the one person who makes her feel like her body and future still belong to her. Their restraint turns into a dangerous intimacy, built in stolen moments under the eyes of families who would destroy them for it. As the wedding closes in, desire becomes defiance, and love becomes the most reckless threat in the room.

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance

[Lenna Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delivers everything I love about the Dante Dynasty—family loyalty, impossible choices, danger closing in from every direction, and a heroine who refuses to stay broken.

Valentina, the youngest and only daughter of the Dante family, has carried the weight of a sacrifice she never should’ve had to make. Her role as the “peacekeeper” between the Dantes and the Russians left her trapped in a future she didn’t choose, and this book finally lets us see the emotional cost of that burden. She’s young, but she’s strong, smart, and painfully aware of what’s expected of her… and what it will cost her if she obeys.

Christian Bonetti has served the Dantes his entire life, just like the generations before him. He’s disciplined, loyal, and fully aware that Valentina is off‑limits. But Valentina has a way of getting past every wall he puts up, and watching him fight his feelings—and lose that battle one heartbeat at a time—was addictive. Their chemistry is intense without ever crossing Amazon’s lines, and their emotional connection is the heart of the story.

The danger surrounding them feels real and constant. The Russian leader Valentina is promised to is a ruthless threat, and the book handles that darkness carefully without graphic detail. The stakes are high: Christian risks his life by loving her, and Valentina risks everything by loving him back. When news of a baby enters the picture, the urgency skyrockets—Christian’s desperation to protect his future family adds a powerful emotional punch.

Next installment will be Adriano and his thought to be dead, his only love Eva Santoro, and their daughter.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows on from Banished Sinner Luca and Katerina's story. Valentina has always known the rule of family first. Except as a woman her brother's have allowed her to be part of inner workings. Now everything is changing and she has become a bargaining chip to broker peace with the Bratva. Marry Maksim is the last thing she wants, she's heard of what happens to his wives and it's not what she thought her brothers would allow. Cristian has always been a good soldier for the Dante family. It's something that his family has done for generations. But now I'm being made to act as security for Valentina. It's hard to stay within the rules of my job, when she's trying to make me cross that line. But having her marry Maksim who's a monster, and who will most likely kill her when he's done. That is not what the Dante's do. They are supposed to protect family at all cost. So now it's his job, however it's more than a job. Valentina is gorgeous, feisty and a strong woman who Maksim will enjoy breaking. Can he do anything to stop this marriage. Will Valentina finally get Cristian to admit his true feelings for her. What will happen when she sees two pink lines. Who will she end up walking down the aisle with. Or will this escalate to a war between the two families. Who will survive. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ this book has improved so much compared to the first one, but there were still so many unnecessary dialogue repetitions all the time.
They kept talking in circles over and over, and the scenes were very similar to each other, it truly seemed like the plot was not advancing.
I was excited because bodyguard x mafia princess is one of my favorite tropes and the characters are definitely more alive and three dimensional than in the first book.

Alessando and Adriano are presented in both books as these family oriented men, almost feminists by allowing Valentina to participate in family meetings, decisions etc even by Valentina herself; but when problems arise they are quick to throw her under the bus and act blind, even after her sister tells them if the abuse even before the wedding.

Useless and pathetic, tied down by their enemy and willing to sacrifice their sister up to the very end, without ideas on how to solve the problem is NOT how I like my men, specially mafia.

I don’t think I will continue this series, and it pains me lo leave something halfway, but I can’t

[Michelle Peralta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave me everything I love about the Dante Dynasty series—family loyalty, impossible choices, danger everywhere, and a heroine who refuses to stay broken.
Valentina’s story hit hard because you can really feel the weight she’s been carrying as the Dante family’s “peacekeeper.” She’s expected to sacrifice everything for her family, and watching her struggle between duty and what she actually wants was emotional and frustrating in the best way.
And Christian? Absolutely gone for this man. He’s loyal, disciplined, and trying so hard to stay away from her, but watching him slowly lose that battle had me hooked. Their chemistry felt intense, but it was the emotional connection and protectiveness between them that really got me.
The suspense kept me glued to the pages, especially once the stakes got even higher. Christian would burn the world down to protect Valentina, and honestly? I ate that up.

[Debbie Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a good love story!

Valentina Dante is supposed to marry a douce bag,it's supposed stop a war but Valentina doesn't really want to,she is in love with her bodyguard Cristian Bonetti.The guy she is to marry,creepy,grabby and she dislikes him.The day of her wedding gets moved up again when her bridegroom fines out that she has been going behind his back with Cristian. Valentina and her brother the Don talk him downfrom refusing to marry because she isn't a virgin now. He says he will only marry her if Cristian is dead,the Don says he is dead.The day of the wedding comes and they pull a double cross on her groom,Cristian shoots him dead and the Don shoots Cristian. Luca rushes her away to Chicago because she can still be in trouble with the Bratva. This story has grief,heartache,but love also.

[Kotsikari Tsampika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was much better than the first one. There were no plot holes, no unanswered questions, and no mistakes (at least super obvious ones).

I fiercely hated Alessandro in this book. The way he dismissed his sister for his deal.

The missing star is solemnly for the following reasons:

1. Maksim's very cheesy lines (I mean... VERY cheesy)

2. Lack of Luca.

I was screaming for Luca to show up every time Alessandro opened his mouth. Until he finally did (thank god).

Valentina was a typical 20 year old, no comments on her, but Cristian... OH CRISTIAN.

The ideal man. Ready to do anything for her.

To sum up, this book was a super quick and intriguing read. I couldn't put it down! It's totally recommended!

[Malinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Main Characters:
Valentina Dante & Christian Bonetti

Review:
This was better then the first book. I couldn't get my head around Alessandro and his decisions but at least he stepped up at the end. This book suffered from a lack of Luca the only brother worth anything in this family.

Tropes:
-Bodyguard
-Chicago
-Forbidden
-Illinois
-Italian
-Mafia
-New York

Quotes:
"I need to push my schoolgirl dreams away. I need to act my part. Be smart but not opinionated. Be beautiful, but not too sexy. Be the dutiful Dante daughter everyone expects. But inside, where no one can see, I'm already dead."

“I don’t mind dying for you, Valentina. But it will piss me off if doing so makes no difference and you still get hurt.”

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

Valentina is the only daughter, and her burden is tough with insurmountable choices when she is tasked t marry a ruthless pakhan. Only one man is in her corner the one she seduces and finds herself expecting which leads to more unimaginable decisions. Christian is determined to rescue his beloved no matter what it takes. Do they have what it takes to get to the finish line and gain their happiness. Lawless Protector had me glued to the pages with all the thrilling twists and turns.

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

[H. Croukamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

To stop a war Valentina must marry a ruthless pakhan. Cristian was supposed to keep her safe but Valentina has other plans. A stolen kiss led to so much more between them. Now she is pregnant with her Christian her brother's most loyal soldier baby. The day of the wedding Christian wasn't going to let her get married. Will Christian and Valentina get a happy ending? This story will keep you hooked until the end. Grab a copy it is a must read.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a heart pounding story that pulls us into the lives of Valentina and Cristian. The dark story keeps us turning the pages with an arranged marriage, secrets, danger, connection, action and steam.

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

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had me in a chokehold from beginning to end. OMG, I couldn’t put this down. The action, danger, chaos…this was so intense, so mind blowing. Their love was everything. Valentina and Cristian were so hot. 🥵 the spice was spicing with these two. I was truly on the edge of my seat, devouring this bad boy. The absolute best.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The heartbreak you feel in this book is so heavy for a lot of it. Valentina sacrifices herself and her chance at love by marrying a horrible monster of a man to save her family. All he talks about is how he can’t wait to violate her on their wedding night. But despite it being forbidden she falls into love with Cristian, her bodyguard, and protector. The last few chapters really got me.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valentina is promised to the pakhan by her brother. She has one night with her hot bodyguard. When she ends up pregnant, everything goes south. Will Valentina end up with the pakhan or will she be free to be with her bodyguard?.

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

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely dark

This is Valentinas story, she's promised to Maksim, a cruel Bratva leader in order to stop a war with her brothers. She's assigned a bodyguard, Cristian and slowly and inevitably they fall in love.
It's well written as always and the characters are great. It is bloodthirsty but the story!one draws you in.
I'm looking forward to the next

[Amy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!
Loved reading Lawless protector, this story was so deliciously addictive, I could not get enough. Valentina and Cristian’s story was action packed and the chemistry between them was steamy HOT. Loved their story, I can’t wait for Adriano’s story next!!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great read

Darkness in the mafias with twists and turns keep the reader engaged seeking what will happen next .
Family is first, sometimes it takes time for it to happen but the outcome reflects it .

[Gaynor Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danger ahead

A war, a virgin sacrifice, a protector and a woman who is going to decide her own fate. A seduction results in lust and love, violence, death, loss, family, a child and choices.

[Holly Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian and Valentino😍😍😍😍

Absolutely what a book , loved the first book and read this in a day 😜 really enjoyed this book and so glad Christian survived and Valentino got the ending she wanted . And so did Luca and Katerina x

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a good twist I was very invested in this story

Love the story and plot twists.
How the story develops and you get many characters views of the events
Will continue to read the rest of the series

[Karla Cabcam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Estos libros pintan que van a ser malísimos todos, este es peor que el primero.
Me dio risa que al final en 2 paginas te pintan que el personaje de Alessandro tiene salvación. El y Adriano son tremendos tibios.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed lawless protector which was Cristian and Valentina’s story. I thought it was an intriguing read. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[Janice Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book!

This was a very enjoyable book. It had action, adventure and romance, along with a couple that finally got the happily ever after they deserved!

[Amanda Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

can’t put it down!

This one had me turning page after page. Amazing angst, heat and danger to thrill you and keep you guessing. Recommend to any Maria loving romance reader!!

[Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valentina's story is one that will make you sit up and be like, "I want to be like her." She is the bargaining chip between two families, and when her older brother brokers a peace deal with Maksim Vasiliev, she knows things will never be the same. Honestly, I did not care for Maksim, but then again, he's a bad person. A marriage alliance with him would be between the families. One thing that will keep her protected is her bodyguard, Cristian. Cristian is not a fan of this deal, but he has to do what the Don says. As he tries his best to protect her, Valentina tries her best to navigate the narrative, and what she wants is Cristian. But will he be able to protect her without crossing any lines? And what happens when everything blows up in their faces? This story really had me on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out what would happen. I love these stories from this author and can never put them down, always ending with a book hangover.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My brother just promised me to the enemy.

To stop a war between the Dante family and the Bratva, I’m being forced to marry a ruthless Russian pakhan.

Cold.
Ruthless.
A man whose wives rarely survive.

Everyone expects me to obey.

But if I’m going to be sacrificed…
I refuse to walk down that aisle untouched.

So I make one reckless decision.
I seduce the one man I can never have.

Cristian Bonetti.

My bodyguard.
My brother’s most loyal soldier.
The man sworn to protect me — not ruin me.

One forbidden night becomes stolen meetings.
Stolen kisses.
And then I miss my cycle.

Now I’m pregnant with my protector’s baby.

When our secret is discovered, Cristian is exiled, and the wedding moves forward.

But Cristian Bonetti isn’t the kind of man who walks away from what’s his.

And on the day I walk down the aisle toward a monster…

The church doors explode open.

Gunshots echo.
My groom falls dead.

And the man I love is shot through the heart by my own brother.

This contemporary dark silver fox mafia second chance age-gap romantic suspense romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building that is engulfed by darkness, danger, violence, power/wealth, organized crime, and grit, and characters who are a virgin mafia princess heroine, a possessive "touch her and die" mafia silver fox hero/forbidden bodyguard exiled protector, exuding power/wealth, who are both captivating and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with a lawless protector, mature, explicit romance that is consumed by steamy, sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice, with all the feelings to leave readers breathless and begging for more, an arranged marriage to the enemy, The Dante Dynasty, a secret baby, one reckless night, one forbidden love, a baby that could start a war, mafia vs Bratva war, wedding-day blood shed, suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, chaos/drama, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with the lawless protector and a contemporary dark silver fox mafia second chance age-gap romantic suspense romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly dangerous, lustful, intriguing, and unforgettable.

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