Natto_like

Mature[R–18+]


In the hidden corridors of power where desire and danger intertwine, Valeria Ivanov—the beguiling daughter of a notorious mafia don—learns that seduction is her deadliest weapon. Tasked with a mission that pits her against the equally formidable Adrian DeLuca, the enigmatic heir of a rival crime family, she enters a world where every whispered promise and stolen touch could be fatal.

Adrian, a master strategist renowned for his icy reserve, finds himself drawn to her intoxicating blend of danger and seduction, his calculated facade slowly melting beneath the heat of their forbidden encounters.

As secret trysts evolve into nights of raw, unbridled passion, the boundaries between duty and lust blur. Every clandestine rendezvous is a battle between their relentless ambition and the exquisite pleasure of surrendering to temptation. Amid the decadent backdrop of blood-soaked loyalty and whispered betrayals, Valeria struggles with the growing conflict between her mission and the irresistible allure of a love that promises both ecstasy and ruin.

In a world where trust is as fragile as a whispered secret and every caress could conceal a knife, Beneath the Crimson Veil is an erotic journey into the depths of passion, power, and betrayal. Here, the price of desire is steep, and the stakes are life and death—leaving both hearts and empires forever transformed by the flames of a forbidden love.


Excerpt:


The dim glow of the city lights cast jagged shadows across Adrian’s sharp features as he leaned against the edge of his desk, arms crossed, his gaze a storm of suspicion and something darker—something far more dangerous.

Valeria stood across from him, her expression an intoxicating mix of defiance and amusement. She had perfected the art of playing innocent, but tonight, something in Adrian’s eyes made her heart pound in warning.

“You’re up to something,” he said, voice low and measured, like the edge of a blade pressing against silk.

She arched a brow, taking slow, deliberate steps toward him, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. “Oh?” she mused, tilting her head. “And what exactly am I up to, amore mio?”

Adrian’s jaw tightened. “You tell me.”

A slow smirk curled her lips as she invaded his space, her fingers lightly grazing the lapel of his jacket. “You don’t have proof.”

His eyes darkened, flicking down to where her fingers toyed with the fabric. “I don’t need proof,” he murmured. “I see it in your eyes. The way you watch me. Like you’re calculating your next move.”

Valeria chuckled, the sound soft, teasing. “And here I thought you were the one watching me.” She dragged her nails lightly down his chest, feeling the way his muscles tensed beneath his tailored suit. “You want proof?”

His hand shot out, gripping her wrist, but his touch wasn’t rough—it was deliberate, commanding. “Yes.” His voice dropped lower, nearly a whisper. “Prove it.”

The challenge hung between them, thick with tension. Her pulse hammered in her throat, but she didn’t hesitate. She reached up, her fingers threading into his dark hair as she closed the space between them, her lips grazing his—soft, testing, before she deepened it.

Beneath The Crimson Veil

The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of the sea as Valeria stood on the balcony of her suite, her fingers resting lightly on the cold iron railing. Below, the city stretched out like a glittering promise, lights flickering in the distance, but her mind was caught in the shadows of something far more dangerous.

She could still feel him—his touch, his heat, the way his mouth had claimed hers in the backseat of his car, leaving her breathless, shaken, and aching for more. She had spent years perfecting the art of seduction, using it as a tool, a weapon, a means to an end. But this time…

A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, composing herself in an instant.

Samantha stepped inside, her dark brown hair cascading over one shoulder, her sharp eyes narrowing as she took one look at Valeria. "You look like someone who just did something really stupid."

Valeria smirked, turning away from the view. "Don't be ridiculous."

Samantha crossed her arms. "Then why do you look like you're thinking about him?"

Valeria's smirk faltered for only a second. "I think about a lot of things, amica mia."

Samantha wasn't convinced. "You're getting too close."

Valeria rolled her eyes, moving to pour herself a drink. The golden liquid swirled in the glass as she took a slow sip. "You worry too much."

"I worry just enough." Samantha took a step closer, her tone dropping. "Valeria, you know what happens when you start caring. You can't afford to be reckless."

"Then why did you let him kiss you?"

The question landed like a dagger between her ribs.

Valeria's grip on her glass tightened, but she didn't let her expression crack. "Because I needed to."

Samantha scoffed. "Dio, listen to yourself. You're making excuses."

Valeria sighed, placing the glass down and pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm handling it."

Samantha studied her, something softer flickering in her gaze. "Are you?"

Before Valeria could answer, her phone buzzed on the nearby table.

Her stomach twisted, and Samantha must have noticed because she shook her head. "Don't answer it."

Valeria let the phone ring, her lips curving into something unreadable. "I won't."

Adrian leaned back in his chair, his phone still in his hand, his jaw tight.

He didn't know why that irritated him, but it did.

Across from him, Nikolai exhaled sharply, swirling the drink in his glass. "You're playing a dangerous game, brother."

Adrian didn't look at him. "Am I?"

Adrian finally lifted his gaze, meeting Nikolai's sharp, knowing stare.

A smirk tugged at Adrian's lips. "I like dangerous."

Nikolai set his glass down with a quiet thud. "I'm serious. Something about her doesn't sit right with me."

Adrian remained silent, considering.

Valeria was an enigma—seductive, sharp, effortless in the way she held his attention like no one else ever had. But there was something else, wasn't there? A subtle, careful way she maneuvered. A flicker in her gaze when he asked the wrong question.

Nikolai leaned forward. "You should be testing her."

Adrian's smirk didn't waver, but something in his gaze darkened.

"Oh," he murmured, taking a slow sip of his drink.

A Dangerous Game