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In a world where blood ties and betrayal go hand in hand, Valentina Rossi and Lorenzo De Luca were born to be enemies. He is the ruthless king of the north, ruling through fear and violence. She is the heir to the Rossi empire, raised to be cunning and untouchable. Their families have been at war for generations, but when a deadly conspiracy threatens them both, they are forced into an uneasy alliance.

Torn between hatred and a dangerous attraction, Valentina and Lorenzo play a game of power, seduction, and survival. Every glance is a challenge, every touch a threat, and every kiss a war. But as they navigate ambushes, betrayals, and an unseen enemy pulling the strings, the lines between enemy and lover begin to blur.

In a world where loyalty is a lie and desire is deadly, can they survive long enough to uncover the truth—or will their sinful alliance be the weapon that destroys them both?

sinful alliances

The Rossi estate was quiet, but Valentina wasn't sleeping.

She stood on the balcony outside her room, the cool night air kissing her skin. Her bruises ached, a cruel reminder of how close she had come to losing everything.

Instead, she was standing here—alive, breathing, and tangled in something dangerous with the one man she should have killed years ago.

The thought of him sent something sharp through her chest. He was still out there, somewhere on her family's property, probably watching the night like the predator he was.

A part of her wanted to go to him.

The smarter part of her knew that would be a mistake.

She turned on her heel, moving fast. Within seconds, she was in the hallway, slipping soundlessly through the dark. Years of training made her footsteps light, her breath controlled.

She reached for the gun tucked beneath her silk robe, her fingers steady as she neared Marco's room.

Valentina pushed it open with the barrel of her gun.

The sheets were untouched. The room was too neat.

A strong hand slammed over her mouth, muffling her cry as an arm wrapped around her waist, pinning her against a solid body.

A low, familiar voice whispered against her ear.

Valentina thrashed, twisting hard, but Dante held firm, his grip like steel.

"Now, now," he murmured. "Let's not make this messy."

"Fuck!" He jerked back, and in that second, she moved—slamming her elbow into his ribs, spinning free.

She had her gun aimed at his head before he could recover.

Dante straightened, grinning. "There she is."

Valentina's finger hovered over the trigger. "Give me one reason."

His grin widened. "Because your little brother made a deal with me."

She kept her face blank. "You're lying."

Dante stepped closer, slow and unafraid. "Am I?"

Her breath came fast, fury mixing with something cold and ugly inside her.

Her hands tightened on the gun. "If you hurt him—"

He chuckled. "Oh, Valentina. You're smart enough to know this isn't about hurting him."

Something in his tone made her chest constrict.

Dante's eyes gleamed. "The same thing you do."

He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

Dante studied her, his expression amused. "I know you want it. I know he gets under your skin." His lips curled. "And I know he makes you burn."

Dante chuckled. "Don't look so surprised. Anyone with eyes can see it."

Wanted to wipe that smug expression off his face.

But a small, treacherous part of her knew—he wasn't wrong.

Dante was offering her the one thing she'd always wanted.

Marco had made a deal. But was it already too late to fix this?

She had to be careful. Had to act like she was considering it.

Slowly, she lowered her gun—just an inch.

But Valentina Rossi wasn't a girl.

And Dante had no idea just how much damage she was about to do.

Chapter 10