He stole her to destroy an empire, then made her the reason he fought.
Kira thinks she knows the man she's fallen for. Then his true identity shatters everything. Nikolai isn't just her lover. He's her father's greatest enemy, and every promise pulls her deeper into a war she never chose.
Taken into Nikolai's world and forced into marriage, Kira is trapped between the family she's defended and the ruthless man who refuses to let her go. He's controlling, violent, and dangerously possessive, yet beneath the threats lies a devotion neither expects.
As rival attacks close in, the line between captor and protector blurs. Kira questions everything she's believed, while Nikolai realizes keeping her means earning what force never could. Trust grows through fear, betrayal, obsession, and desire until love becomes the greatest risk.
Kira grows from a sheltered, fearful woman shaped by her family's expectations into someone who trusts her instincts and claims her future. Nikolai changes from a calculating bratva leader who uses deception and control as weapons into a fiercely devoted partner who'll do anything to protect the woman he loves. Together, they reshape a bond built on captivity and unequal power through reluctant trust, consuming passion, and chosen loyalty.
A dark, ultra-steamy, enemies to lovers, forced marriage, kidnapped heroine, bratva romance filled with obsession, betrayal, possessive devotion, forced proximity, and high-stakes danger. It explores trust, loyalty, identity, family, power, trauma, forgiveness, survival, and building something stronger than revenge. It's about a woman choosing her future, a ruthless man learning love is stronger than control, and two people forging a family from the ashes of a war that was never meant to leave either of them standing.
The Elevator Pitch: A sheltered young woman discovers that the man she trusted is the ruthless enemy her father has spent years trying to destroy, leaving her trapped in the middle of a brutal mafia war. As loyalty, obsession, and desire collide, the line between captivity and choice begins to blur, forcing both of them to confront who they are willing to become for love and family. Against a backdrop of vengeance, sacrifice, and escalating danger, two sworn enemies must decide whether the future they are building is worth everything they stand to lose.
Known as "The Dragon", Nikolai ("Niko") sat in his black Escalade watching three of Xavier Markin's men on the corner for six days now as they continued dealing product on a street deep in Nikolai's territory. So tonight, he would take care of this problem. If he killed the guys on the corner, they would be replaced in hours. But the best way to bring a powerful man to his knees was to take something he valued more than his own life... his daughter, Kira. He had texted her for two weeks and he invited her to dinner tonight. When his men followed his instructions and began shooting Xavier's men, Nico pushed her against the building and protected her with his body until he said they had to get out of there and guided her away from the gunfight. Trusting him, she climbed into the car that pulled up for them. She wanted to go home, but he invited her to his home and he would cook for her. She was still unaware of the danger she was in, but her compliance meant his neighbors wouldn't hear any resistance. Once inside, he gave her whiskey to drink and asked about the cooking class she had told him about as she began to relax. But eventually the truth will come out. She found out his "real" name, Nikolai Dragonov, the Bratva king her father wants dead. And apparently she was never his girlfriend; she was just a weapon to be used. And what if she gets pregnant? Will it make things even worse? Can she ever trust him again?
Kira knows what her father is, she also knows that his business is more important than anything or anyone. But tonight she was finally going to meet the man who has been messaging her for weeks. He seems perfect. He listens to her views. He yells her about his family and childhood. Maybe, just maybe for once someone will actually put her first. Her father would be annoyed, she's no guard with her. Nobody knows where she's going. But it feels good to do something she wants for a change. Nikolai knows that what he's doing isn't right. But Xavier Markin was taking over his businesses one at a time. If taking his daughter hostage is what it takes. Then so be it. Except he didn't expect the response from her father to be Keep Her. Now he wonders what to do, because letting her go isn't an option. Will Kira believe he cares for her. Or is she just another bargaining chip between two men. How far will Nikolai go to regain his territory back. How can he prove himself to a woman who hates him. When Kira realises the truth what will she do. Is her secret her downfall, especially if her father finds out. But can she really trust Nikolai cares for her. Even though he has shown her more honesty and care than her far ever has. This is a brilliant story showing that not everything is as it seems. But can Kira and Nikolai really have a hea.
Her Life Changing One Night Stand - When Kira accepted Nikolai’s invitation for mind blowing night together, she never expected to discover he was her father’s nemesis and that he wouldn’t allow her to leave. Nikolai knew Kira would be upset about being held captive, but he didn’t expect the level of anger she displayed towards her circumstances. Nikolai and Kira’s relationship grew and changed over time, whilst he dealt with the situation with her father.
Unfortunately, not long after Nikolai and Kira’s relationship status changed, they found themselves in a dangerous situation and nearly lost their lives. Thankfully, Nikolai and Kira were able to get out with the help of his men, which led to him finding out the secret she had been keeping from him. Once Nikolai and Kira were finally safe, he decided to remove the threat from their lives permanently, so they could get back on track towards the life that they were building together.
This gripping enemies to lovers romance story pulled me straight into the dark, exciting mafia world and refused to let go until I finished reading the book. This captivating romance story delivered on danger, intensity, obsession, sultry heat, angst and suspense, which in my humble opinion makes it a definite must read mafia romance book.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 1st story in the Ruthless Mafia Kings Series that starts where we find Kira sneaking out to meet a man, Nico who she’s been texting learning about each other. Nikolai creates Niko to gain Kira’s trust as he’s tired of losing territory to her father during this fight for territory and power. Kira believes she’s found someone who will care for her. As Niko and Kira meet at the restaurant there’s a struggle so Niko takes her back to his place and things go sideways for Kira and her world is turned upside down. Nikolai shows Kira who he truly is and that she’ll be taken cared of and once her father knows she been taken he’ll back off. That never happens and he says to keep Kira! It’s a surprise that Kira puts up a struggle in her current situation and Nikolai finds it appealing. These two find common ground and become more and Nikolai knows he did wrong so he sets out to prove to Kira he’s a good man who wants his territory and will do what’s necessary. Kira will need to decide if she should trust Nikolai with her secret knowing he’s shown only love through his strength of controlling and establishing his crumbling family! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nik and Kira had such intense chemistry from the very beginning.
After they share what feels like the perfect night together, everything comes out into the open, and I really felt Kira’s sense of betrayal. She’s suddenly trapped in a situation she doesn’t fully understand, trying to make sense of emotions she doesn’t want to have.
Nik falls for her quickly, especially once he realises just how much of a weasel her father, Xavier, really is. Kira may try to fight what she feels, but she can’t seem to control herself around Nik. She’s constantly battling lust and loathing at the same time, which made their push and pull one of the strongest parts of the book.
What hit me most was how alone Kira felt. She misses her mum, she’s hurt by her father’s lack of care, and she’s scared with very few people she can trust.
One thing that did pull me out of the story was that, at around 90%, Xavier was suddenly called Viktor before switching back to Xavier again. I’m assuming that was an editing error.
The HEA was cute and gave them the ending I wanted. However, for a mafia dark romance, I found this much tamer than I expected. The chemistry was definitely there, but I was hoping for a little more darkness and intensity overall.
-This action-packed mafia romance is a blend of danger, deception, and emotional intensity. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.
Kira and Nikolai’s relationship evolves from betrayal and captivity into a hard-earned love, amidst intense suspense. The older man/younger woman dynamic, forced marriage, and protective hero add to the story’s appeal without overshadowing Kira’s growth into a stronger, more independent woman.
A gripping start to the Ruthless Mafia Kings series.
This is book 1 in Summers' Ruthless Mafia Kings series. A wonderful start to a dark, mafia romance series. Well written and captivating. Our main characters are Nico and Kira. Caught between love, loyalty and vengeance, this storyline is exciting, smooth flowing and full of action, steamy chemistry and will leave you with the best HEA! A great read and I'm already eager for more from Summers and this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The start of the relationship between Niko and Kira began with bumps, as she discovers that Niko is not the man she thought she knew. When Niko turned out to be different, her trust in him vanished, and it took a while before she trusted him again. That doesn't stop Niko from protecting her from everything and everyone. A delightful novel full of emotions and drama, danger, suspense, and plenty of steamy moments.
I received an Advance Reader copy of this series and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kidnapped Bride is book one of the Ruthless Mafia Kings Series.
Kira has been deceived by Niko and it takes her a bit to learn to trust him again. I admired her fierce determination to escape what was happening to her. She wasn't aware of all the facts and I appreciated Niko's protective instinct to take care of Kira through everything.
Their relationship starts with deception and turns into so much more when Kira learns that the man she loved is not who she thought he was. It is a great book filled with action-packed drama that had me glued to the pages.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The author has given us an older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Nikolai and Kira. The heart pounding story keeps us turning the pages with a kidnapping, secrets, a forced marriage, danger, action and steam.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Niko and Kira are quite the characters. Nico is highly protective of Kira even though Kira loses trust in Nico. But their relationship ends up being amazing for the both of them. Steamy and exciting, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. When nikolai catfish and then kidnapped kira because of her father things get ruff for a while . cute
Kira didn’t know that she was nothing more than a pawn in Nikos game. She loved this man. Didn’t know this was all about him getting to her father. This was a really action and chaos filled story. I loved Niko. The way he protected Kira, the way the two of them loved one another. Excellent read.
Great Story!! Loved reading Kidnapped Bride, it captured my interest immediately. Kira and Nikolai’s story was action packed and steamy HOT. Loved their story!!
Niko has planned taking Kira for a while and when he does the lies start crumbling, trust is broken, families combust and heat ignites!!! Great read!!!