The Butcher (Love Like A Loaded Gun, 2)

Alexei Drakovich was born to be a weapon. The Russian Bratva king’s spare son turned executioner, he’s known in the underworld as The Butcher, and he earns that name in blood.

To keep peace between rival empires, Alexei is forced into an arranged marriage with Lucia Rossi, the sheltered daughter of an Italian mafia dynasty. She’s meant to be nothing more than a strategic tie between families.

But peace doesn’t last.

When Bratva shipments are hit, the blame doesn’t land where it should. A rogue bastard son of the Rossi bloodline is making his own move, building power behind the scenes and using his name like a weapon. He’s reckless, hungry, and willing to burn everything to get what he wants.

The Bratva sees Lucia as a risk because of the blood-ties, and that’s a loose end tied to the enemy.

Alexei sees her as something else. His. And anyone who tries to touch what belongs to him will answer for it.

Lines are crossed. Blood is spilled. And when it’s over, there won’t be any doubt left about where she stands.

At The Butcher’s side. As his queen.

THEMES/TROPES: Dark mafia romance, anti-hero/morally gray hero romance, who hurt you themes, he’s only soft toward her, arranged marriage trope, dominance/submission dynamics, obsession trope, graphic violence, torture, execution scenes, blood and gore, murder, forced proximity, power imbalance, explicit sexual content, rough sex, degradation  and ownership language, drug use (by secondary character), human trafficking references, stalking/surveillance, psychological intimidation, family control/patriarchy, pregnancy, HEA.