Because You're Mine

by Nikita Slater

A dark mafia romance novel with a bonus story by USA Today Bestselling Author Nikita Slater. Because You're Mine...Her knight in shining armour or her kidnapper?Allie has loved Jay forever. But he sent her away when she was eighteen and forced her to live her own life, away from the street and the gangs. Away from him. It had hurt, but she’d done it. For ten years she'd built a career and a life separate from him. Now he's back and he wants what belongs to him.Furious that Allie was hurt while out of his protection, Jay decides it's time to bring the woman he loves home where she belongs. Whether she wants to come or not. He whisks her off to his mountain fortress where she'll be safe and sets about arranging a new life for her. A life with him. He's done lurking in the shadows, watching but never touching. She was always his. The difference is, now she knows it.Will Allie quietly accept her new life and let her old one go? Or will she fight the man she's loved her entire life because she can't risk losing herself again...This 48,000 word book is standalone and guaranteed HEA, NO cheating, NO cliffhanger. Just a hot alpha male who knows what he wants! Sizzling dark mafia romance. Read at your own risk!BONUS STORY!Mine to Keep...Veronica has always been a good girl.

She's always listened and done what men wanted. It was easier that way. Less pain, easier to get what she needed to survive. Then a boy rescued her. Now her protector, the boy who saved her is giving her away. Handing her over to another man. To him. Robert of Senator Security.

She wants to run away from the man who keeps touching her, the man who brings back the pain and the memories. He follows her, protects and hunts her with possession in his eyes. He demands she belong to him and him alone. But Veronica doesn't want to be an obedient girl anymore.

She wants to be the bad girl she was born to be... and set the woman free.

Please This 32,000 word novella can be read as standalone or after Because You’re Mine, as this love story takes place about 7 years before Allie and Jay’s romance. Guaranteed HEA, NO cheating, NO cliffhanger. Sizzling romance novella!

Genres: Romance, Dark, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Erotica

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2017

About the author

Nikita's social media:

Website: https://www.authornikitaslater.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/slaternikita/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/18531...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slaternikita/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nikit...

Nikita Slater is the USA Today Bestselling Author of action-packed suspenseful romance. She writes dark romance, mafia romance, MC romance, fantasy shifter romance, and post-apocalyptic dystopian romance. She lives on the beautiful Canadian prairies with her son, her awesome dog, and her partner. She has an unholy affinity for books, wine, pets and anything chocolate. Despite some of the darker themes in her books (which are pure fun and fantasy), Nikita is a staunch feminist and advocate of equal rights for all races, genders and non-gender specific persons. When she isn't writing, dreaming about writing or talking about writing, she helps others discover a love of reading and writing through literacy and social work.

Reviews

[Fatimama · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high hopes but they were dashed. The “hero” is supposedly possessive and stalkerific as he has been tracking the heroine for 10 yrs. however, he let her get married to someone else without even making a move before that. It really isn’t very believable for a truly obsessed and in love man to let the love of his life marry someone else... It wasn’t as if they were in an extreme life or death situation...

[100sweet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story had the OTT possessive, obsessive, caveman H that I love. However, I had a hard time believing his actions since he allowed the h to get married to someone else. This didn't make any sense. The H was very careful with who he allowed the h's mother to marry but it didn't seem like he was concerned about the h. His reasons for wanting to remove the h from her situation in the beginning of the book was too abrupt and random. Nevertheless, I like this author and will continue to read her books.

[Honey~psychopaths&stalkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 "You will always be my baby" stars!

Mild spoiler?

I dived into this book not expecting such a well-written story with compelling characters. My reaction changed in a split second and frankly speaking I DID NOT EXPECT TO LIKE THIS STORY SO MUCH. I AM SHOCKED TO THE CORE.



Jay Le Croix (his name gives me tingles <3)



He's brooding, ruthless, troubled-man, loved deeply. He's the type of man you do not want to cross in real life. In the book he is described as 39-years-old with hair completely grey same goes to his steely gray eyes. (I thought the image of Charlie Hunman fits him perfectly <3 please excuse the lack of greying hair). Jay has been in Allie's life, like, forever. Her mother met Jay the day Allie was born - he's 10 years old, living the street life. He even blessed Allie with her name, though it supposed to be Alice from Alice in Wonderland but he was illiterate; hence she was bestowed with the name, "Allison".

"Be strong, my girl. This man has loved you since the moment you came into the world, he wouldn't harm a hair on your head."

Jay could be your typical book-boyfriend,"Hello Sir, it's finally nice to meet you" or to callous anti-hero, "ya daughter calls me daddy too,"

Your choice, readers ;)

Allison



One of my favorite heroine, she's sweet and lovely, though at times could be remorseless and unforgiving.

"I changed my mind, I don't want Jay to kill you" Allie said, crossing her arms loosely in front of her and smiling up at Hershel as he'd instructed. "I want that pleasure for myself,"

She's not whiny (that I always come across whenever I read captivity-themed books). She's determined and funny. She would find her way to disrupt Jay and his bodyguards' mind state. She would throw things but then again it would cause trouble to her "caretakers" so she stopped doing that LOL. Her favorite past-time is watching Kitchen Nightmares and she particularly loathes one dude who swears too much!

Jay and Allison are no stranger and their cat-and-mouse game is just for a show because undeniably their chemistry is off the charts! THE DUDE HAS BEEN HER FATHER FIGURE/ BEST FRIEND/ BROTHER/ PROTECTOR her entire life and not to mention that huge age gap! <3333 silently screaming

He used to read books with her and encourage her to dream. He taught her how to ride a bike and bought her Sailor Moon bandaids when she fell off and scraped her knee. He stole a car and sold it so he could afford to take Allie and Veronica whale watching for her 8th birthday

THAT'S WHAT I NEED IN MY MAN.

Okay, but can we take a moment and appreciate this side character because I really really really love him and wish there would be more of him <3

Feng



Feng is a son of a China's largest drug lord, Li Wei. Unlike his father, he's reasonable and level-headed. He despised violence towards innocent civilians and he took care of Allison when she been held captive by his father's crews.

He gathered her long hair in one fist and held it off her face while she threw up into the bay. He was touching her with gentleness and she felt no ill intent from him

Ughh so good.

WE NEED FENG'S BOOK LIKE NOW

All in all, this book is really well-written and I find myself keep on turning to the next page. I love all the characters and even the side characters such as Greg and that a-hole. Definitely recommend this to anyone who loves them OTT possessive alpha male! (if you don't mind huge age gap, Allie is 29 and Jay is 39)

[Jen ❥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! It features Nikita Slater's trademark alpha hero who would do anything to keep his love safe--my favorite kind.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick fix for the OTT, obsessive, stalker hero lovers.

[Jennifer McGurk Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jay LeCroix came from nothing and fought his way up to become a powerful and feared businessman. He’s loved Allie for many years but he pushed her away because he believed she deserved better. He finds out Allie was stabbed trying to break up a fight between addicts that she counsels. He decides Allie has had enough freedom and time to do her own thing. He’s coming for her and nothing or no one is gonna stop him, not even her husband.

“ You’ve been warned.”
“ I won’t have sex with you again.”
“ Now that I’ve fucked that delicious body, I won’t stop. Don’t ever think of denying me, Allison. Because I’ll fuck you when I want, how I want.”

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

UGH!!

[Kate V · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - 3.5 stars!

What you'll find:

- Obsessive, possessive, dominant alpha male
- Raging insta-lust
- Steam
- Mediocre plot

A decent read but I had a hard time believing that if Jay loved and was obsessed with Allie like he says he was...why in the world would he let her marry another man...

[Amina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm usually a sucker for the insta-love connection, but the enduring forever kind of love that had been going on between Jay and Allie since childhood stole my heart with this book. Jay sent Allie away when she was a teenager to protect her from his mafia lifestyle, but when she got hurt anyway he brought her back home and decided to keep her. Love was never a problem between these two, which was an interesting twist in this book. Allie resisted Jay because she didn't want to get hurt again and she didn't like the way he completely took over her life. He frightened her with his power and wealth, which was contradictory to the way she chose to live her life. I always love the characters that Nikita Slater writes and the story and scenery she builds around them. The sex scenes are intense and the connection between these two characters jumps off the pages. Nikita never fails to capture me and keep me up late into the night reading!

[Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars.

this was my third time reading this. im lowering my rating.

in the last five years since reading it for the first time, ive developed an aversion to a hero pushing away a heroine, whom he loves, while having one night stands with other women.
"ive loved you my whole life, i was just biding my time" sounded kind of weak when it had been 10 years and the heroine had been lonely and in a deeply unhappy marriage for most of that time.
the H and h could've been together that whole time, or at least a lot of that time.
if he'd really been all that obsessed and in love, he would've pursued her sooner.

i also didn't like the heroine all that much this time around.
she was bland. she gave in to the hero too easily. sure, she had her little rebellions, but even then they were so morally correct. she never crossed any lines in her fury at the situation. the hero just manhandled her and kept her trapped and then she told him she loved him?? okay... i needed more.
____________________

original review:

4.5 stars.
fuck if i didn't enjoy this. SO good. love me some manhandling, it's my guilty pleasure in the romance genre, and this book was like 97% manhandling. absolutely amazing.

for a while there i wondered how tf the hero would ever redeem himself in a way /i/ would deem good enough, because heroines often forgive their heroes MILES before i ever would, and it leaves me feeling annoyed and disappointed. but this one did not disappoint.
usually i want to love the hero from start to finish, but here i actually didn't mind starting out with the same conflicting emotions the heroine felt towards him. it made me feel more connected to the story, to go through the emotions the heroine did, and to gradually warm up to the hero. a very, very good reading experience, i have to say.

im spending my days devouring nikita slater's books, and they're the only reason i haven't given up on life in this unbearable heat. anyway, onto the next one.

[Expresso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jay becomes entrenched in Allie's life in the most unconventional way! I absolutely loved how he kept his distance until tragedy struck.

This story is gray mafia. Although Jay rules the underworld, his antics aren't detailed. And it's perfectly ok for this story. As a reader you can pretty much tell at the beginning this story is not going to be dark. However, Jay's high handed and caveman tactics with Allie more than make up for the lack of darkness.

4 stars!

[Alexandraa XX · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! OTT POSSESSIVE ALPHA MALE!

What made me give it 4 stars is because THE HERO WASTED 10 YEARS to finally take the heroine to be his officially and made that big move on her. WHEN HE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT EARLIER! Damn it


But overall the story is pretty good....

- NO CHEATING

- DRAMA WITH OM but not too annoying.
NO DRAMA WITH OW ~

- NO VIRGINS

- SAFE LOVE STORY

- IT HAS SEPARATION when the heroine was kidnapped but not for a while...

- HAPPY ENDING and i want a longer epilogue tho

- HOT VERY HOT SMUT SCENES

[Abstract ♥ Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

the heat in this one is crazy good omg!

[✯ baya ✯ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ridiculous fucking story. The only thing I liked was the OTT hero, but he went too overboard for me, too many times for no real reason.

- Forced sex and threatening her
- Chaining her up
- No real reason why he liked her
- Her getting friendly with her fucking KIDNAPPER's boss
- H suddenly concerned about a 'healthy' relationship after the kidnapping, also suddenly allowing her to go back to work?!
- The h suddenly obsessed with blow jobs

Writing not bad but the story was shallow and ridiculous.

[Carole Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Ez · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a dominant male lead, Nikita Slater writes some of the best alpha anti-heroes out there. Jay, the boss of Vancouver and the East Coast, has been in love with Allie since he first laid eyes on her. Spending a decade staying away from her in the hope it would keep her safe, Jay decides it's time to bring her home to him permanently when she's injured when performing her job as a social worker. Resenting her lack of choice in the matter, Allie tries to fight both Jay and the love she's always held for him.

This was another solid read from this author. Jay was dominant and possessive and while I spent a bit of the book wanting to punch him in the junk because of his high handed attitude and the way he stripped Allie of her freedom, he still managed to be likeable and redeem himself because it was all done out of love - cliche, I know, but this author manages to write it in a way that doesn't make me want to set everything on fire. I liked how Jay was consistently immoveable on the issue of Allie's safety and had always kept her close to his heart. Allie was a likeable character, too, being independent and unwilling to compromise on what she'd worked for her whole life. My only peeve was how easily she gave into Jay whenever smexy times were involved. All grievances were forgotten because of her ability to both spontaneously combust and gush like a waterfall when he touched her. Nope. You don't go from being angry as all hell at someone to putty in their hands when they demand compliance in bed whenever the whim takes them. This is, of course, a personal preference, but I felt Allie gave in way too easy, here, giving in to him virtually straight away. She spent a chunk of the book both scared and aroused which always leaves me scratching my head. One thing I loved about Allie, however, was that she wasn't described as a supermodel but as imperfect in some areas and a little self-conscious about herself sometimes.

For those wanting triggers, a couple of the intimate scenes definitely tread around the territory of noncon. The 'he just touches me and my underwear starts sliding off' behaviour from Allie helped skate around this for the most part but while Jay wouldn't hurt Allie, he certainly wasn't taking no for an answer either. There's also the fact the Jay is ten years older than Allie and was at her birth. He'd watched her, protected her and been in love with her since that moment. I didn't dwell on this too much but it skirted close to the ick factor for me.

While the book focussed on Jay taking Allie and asserting they were now in a relationship, there was a nice little splash of drama here and there without it being too heavy or over the top. Allie was married to an unfaithful husband at the start of the book and I thought this would crop up at least once to create drama, but it didn't eventuate which wasn't a bad thing.

The writing was solid for the most part but be warned that there are a few typos (not copious amounts but some are noticeable) and a bit of repetition with some word choices - I'm looking at you, 'gasp'.

Overall, it was an entertaining read with a dominant, likeable male lead. There's an excerpt from the second book in this series at the end, too, focussing on Allie's mum. I'll definitely be reading it in the future.

[Djg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, I'd say 3 1/2. Ending was abrupt and there was some dubious consent the first couple of times they had sex. Sometimes the h was wishy-washy.

H (39) helped deliver h (29) at the age of 10. h's mother was a hooker and H was a foster kid who grew up to be a successful criminal. Sent the h away when she graduated from high school partly because he wasn't "good' enough for her. She eventually marries someone else (the husband is only off page and is a cheating scumbag). He's kept tabs on her the entire time.

*******Spoilers below**********************************

When the h is injured at her job as an addictions counselor, the H decides to pretty much take her home with him and keep her under lock and key.
He drugs her in order to have a doctor check her for STD's from her husband.
He "takes care of" ending her marriage.
He uses forced seduction on the h at least twice by my count. I wouldn't call it rape but she expressed some fear that he would at one point..
He keeps a tracking device on her so when she tries to escape him he's able to locate her and he goes to extremes with security to keep her "safe"

***********************End Spoilers*******************************

So some would find his heavy-handedness to be too much but she's pretty much in love with him except for the times she stomps her foot (metaphorically) and says "I hate you".

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both of these books are novella-length stories of about 120 pages. Mine To Keep is a prequel set seven years before the second book and was my favourite of the two.

Slater's work features angry, overly protective anti-heroes with dark pasts ... shady presents to be honest. They are an insta-love type of romance, which you really have to expect in a novella, and the stories are super easy to read. One sitting for sure. 

I wish that the author would take the next step and write "real" books that are full length. She has a decent writing style and interesting stories to tell. She definitely hit the right "he-man anti-hero alpha" mix I devour. 

Unfortunately, there is a distinct lack of character development, mostly due to the short word count, and her heroines tend to do an about face in personality overnight with little internal agonizing or signs of working through their issues/reticence. Any plot points that should be obstacles for the hero are wrapped up too easily as well.

At the end of the day these books are entertaining enough that I will keep an ear out for information on this author in the future, but not enough that I am going to hunt down and read her other novellas. However, Because You're Mine hints at a possible third book with an interesting male anti-hero introduced, I will probably read it, especially if my wish comes true and it is full length!

[JBKM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book very much, it ties into the Driven Hearts books a little. So if you have read that series, then you will want to read this. Every story is a stand alone but Ms. Slater does a wonderful of surprising you with characters from her other books. I also love that she recognises that romance occurs in all Races and is not afraid to make them the main characters in her books.

I read this when it was first released and didn't realize I hadn't left a feedback. If you are a fan of Ms. Slater you already know how awesome her books are. If you haven't read her books, give them a try, just pick one, you wouldn't be disappointed. I have read thousands of romance novels from all Genres and Ms. Slater is one of my top 5 Authors. Her novels are a little bit more than your typical romance, but after reading the same kind of novels over and over you want something different and she certainly doesn't fail to disappoint. They are all unique in their own way with Alpha Heroes and Bad Ass Women who keep them on their toes....Enjoy! I know I did...lol.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of survival and soul mates

I absolutely loved everything about this starting with their unique origins ..on.through Jay's selfless everlasting love and patient yearning and then especially via his alpha male possessive obsession to keep her both safe from harm and sexually sated. The only bone of contention between them is the clipping of her wings to provide that safe haven but after some nail biting suspense and by books end...they achieve 360 perfection in their little piece of heaven! Thanks for this little beauty Nikita!

[Shawna Jimenez more.books.forever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jay and Allie have know one another for a long time and Jay has loved Allie literally since she was born she means the world to him and when this man finally made his move to make her permanently his what does he do freaking kidnap her like really man did you really expect her to kneel at ur feet. But man Allie is trying really hard not to show her true feeling because let’s be honest she loves this man he runs thru the blood in her veins there chemistry is undeniable and I love how Jay takes what he wants!!! Such a fantastic read!

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this is my kind of story!

OTT alpha male? Check
Feisty strong heroine? Check
Dynamite chemistry between H and h? Check
Sizzling hot sex? Check
Mafia element? Check

Solid four star read. I love OTT jealous possesive romance stories and I don't mind the kidnapping, holding her against her will element as long as it's not that obvious (not allowed to leave the premises vs locked in a room or held isolated on an island.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t read multiple Nikita books in a row

So I read this book right after another of Nikita’s books & while I liked this one overall there was too much that was reminiscent of the first one I read. She seems to have a formula for writing her stories & there doesn’t seem to be a lot that is different between books. So read for the possessive alpha males but spread them out far enough that you won’t be comparing them to each other.

[Tamotha clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, Never stop wanting you

This story grab you from the first page to the last. The moment the alpha male wanting t to take charge to protected the woman he love his whole life. And let her married a cheater and decided to fight for her love, the one who got away. If you love passionate sexual tension, erotica sexy scenes, and romantic relationship between two characters that find a second chance at love, this is the greatest story to read

[Lisa Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touch of darkness, tempered with romance

Well written story, with the right amount of darkness from anti hero Jay, tempered by headstrong and soft heroine. A tricky combination of a touch of subjugation and a few horrors but the author balanced it out with great recapturing romance and even managed to make it reverant and not icky. Dark yet full of romance. Looking forward second installment.

[Will A. Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

I enjoyed reading this book,however I did not understand Allie's need to run from Jay. She confessed her love for him, yet she created so much drama of wanting to leave him. The writing flowed easily and effortless,the characters were well developed and compelling.The lovemaking was off the charts.

[Kelly Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant characters!

Loved this so much! Nikita always manages to write the most feisty heroines! The ones that fight back, that want to be their own person, ones that fight for their freedom......thats what you get with the MFC Alison in this book. What i also love is that the hero Jay....Well he is possessive, controlling and so unreasonable, you know he loves Alison but he wants to wrap her in cotton wool to protect her even if that upsets her! I just loved the push and pull of their relationship, especially when Jay took complete control....the sex scenes were very steamy!!
They really were the perfect couple.
I just can't wait to read more from this author.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This was a great book!!!! If you enjoy hot crazy in love alpha males that will do anything to keep their woman safe you have to read this book. Warning it does contain some possible triggers and slightly dubious consent. Great job can't wait to read the next!!!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alpha men are the best men!

FOUR STARS
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Nikita Slater has become one of my go to authors in just a few days! Her heroes are alpha to the extreme and go to such lengths to protect there woman that you can't wait to see how the heroine will react!

[Vic B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author. Great dark edgey.

Highly alpha bad boy who loves control. Have read this several times and I love it. Criminal guy falling in love. Has loved he from her very start. Great read