If you decide you hate Arielle Rhodes, she wouldn’t blame you. She’s the girl who has everything—a handsome partner, the successful fashion career she always dreamed of, and a family name that comes with both fame and fortune. Beneath her party-girl exterior, she fears nobody could love the version of herself she’s been trained to keep locked away, reluctantly accepting the future her family curated for her.
Known for being dangerously insouciant and annoyingly self-assured, Royce Cooper wears authority like a second skin. He built two successful empires from scratch, but he knows it won’t last. Unable to abandon his sister, he keeps everyone else at a distance. Determined not to let anyone miss him when his luck finally runs out, it’s been over a decade since he allowed anyone new into his personal life.
When they meet for the first time, Royce breezes past Arielle’s defenses, curious about the girl beneath her public persona. Arielle, on the other hand, feels a sense of safety, allowing her to reveal pieces of herself she believes nobody could want. He leaves her with a pathetic sense of hope for a future she knows she can’t have—especially with a man like him. She tempts him to end his emotional detachment and want something real in his life.
While some people bring out the worst in each other, Royce and Arielle find solace in a kindred soul. Arielle must decide between the life she agreed to and the man who threatens to love the girl she didn’t know still existed. Royce wrestles with the need to protect her and the emotional distance he relies on to keep the ones he loves safe. If they can survive their own inner demons, they may finally spark each other back to life.
Best friend’s brother
Mafia romance
Antihero MMC
Forbidden love
Rescuer
Billionaire romance
Morally gray MMC
Love triangle
Elitism and class-based judgment
Toxic family dynamics
Mention of child neglect & abuse (referenced and depicted in traumatic flashbacks)
Physical abuse, including on page abuse by parent
Emotional abuse, including eating/weight-related shaming, emotional manipulation, and chronic criticism
Significant themes of mental illness, including:
Dissociation
PTSD symptoms
Struggles with self-worth
Mood disorders (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder)
On-page suicidal ideation
Heavy alcohol use/misuse
Mention of gambling addiction
Sexual assault (off-page)
Mention of stalking
Kidnapping/abduction
Torture and otherwise graphic violence
Murder
Criminal activity, including gang-related activity and gun violence
Weapons trafficking / illegal arms dealing
Mention of drug cartels
Mention of sex trafficking
Multiple love interests
Homophobia
Infidelity/Cheating (by FMC with MMC)
BDSM (bondage, D/s & possessive/ownership dynamics)
Brat/brat-taming
Rough sex
Impact play
Orgasm control
Anal play
Breath play
Gun play
Primal play
Voyeurism/exhibitionism
Threesome (FFM) & FF scenes
Power dynamics (boss/assistant)
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