When Sullivan witnesses her parents being brutally murdered by Justin Lowell, her father's best friend and colleague, her entire world is shattered.
She swears to make Justin pay price for what he did and applies for law school to become a lawyer. It is not easy because she doesn’t want any money from Justin, who is also her legal guardian.
As she navigates the challenges of college life, Katerina keeps a secret: her part-time job at Penthouse Club as an exotic dancer to pay her way through school. But one fateful night, her double life is threatened to be revealed when Justin Lowell walks into the club with Victor Skrovonski, a notorious mafia boss.
Katerina's reality spins out of control as she becomes entangled in the dark crime underworld. A terrible mistake leaves her in dire need of help, and it's only Justin who steps forward to offer support. But their relationship is complicated; he can be cold and distant one moment, then unexpectedly kind the next, leaving Katerina questioning everything about him.
As they grow closer despite the danger surrounding them, a forbidden attraction blooms. Katerina begins to wonder: Does Justin have two personalities or is what she’s believed for the past six years a lie?

Claimed by My Dark Guardian by Lyra TaleSmith, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Claimed by My Dark Guardian

“Justice,” Lee called out to me as soon as I entered the door. “Welcome. This way,” he directed me to the VIP room. “You’re looking well.”


I didn’t bother engaging in conversation. Whatever it was, it was unavoidable. My fate was sealed, it felt, by things that I couldn’t control and by past traumas I couldn’t move past. 


“Listen,” he stopped me before we entered the VIP room. “You have a habit of pissing off mafia lords. You know there’s a new boss in town,” he tucked a stray hair behind my ear. “Don’t piss this one off. I don’t think you can afford to.”


I felt myself nodding before I agreed. I felt myself give in, so I would get out of this alive, maybe. I wasn’t here to overthrow anyone. I wasn’t here to challenge anyone. I just needed the truth.


I walked into the room and felt the mirrors glisten with my reflection. I watched as Justin turned to notice me. He had a wicked smile on his face as I walked up to him, now Lee nowhere in sight. 


Chapter 18: Damned If I Do, Damned If I Don’t