A crime princess. An exiled wolf. A crown built on the bones of enemies.
When family betrays and mercy becomes weakness, some thrones demand everything.
Vera Sokolov thought inheriting her father's empire meant stepping into his shadow not carving her own bloody path through Moscow's underworld. But when the vultures circle at his funeral and family loyalty crumbles like ash, she discovers that survival requires becoming something her father never was: absolutely ruthless.
Roman Volkov has spent five years in exile, cast out by his own blood and left to die in the shadows. When he offers the grieving princess an alliance forged in mutual vengeance, he expects to use her grief as a weapon against his enemies. What he doesn't expect is for her transformation to become his obsession.
As Uncle Mikhail orchestrates betrayal from within and rival families smell weakness in transition, Vera learns that ruling an empire means more than inheriting territory it means earning respect through strategic brutality. But the broken exile teaching her to embrace darkness harbors secrets that could either crown her queen or see them both buried in unmarked graves.
When childhood friends become turncoats and family blood proves worthless, their partnership becomes war. When Roman's thirst for revenge threatens everything they've built, their alliance becomes dangerous. When Vera chooses absolute power over her father's legacy, their love becomes the weapon that could conquer Moscow or destroy them both.
Some princesses are meant to become queens. Others are destined to become legends.
In a world where loyalty is bought with bullets and love is paid for in blood, Vera and Roman must choose between preserving the old order and building something magnificent from its ashes. But when enemies unite and family becomes the greatest threat, their greatest strength may become their most fatal weakness.
Book 4 in the Blood & Roses series a standalone dark bratva romance featuring a morally complex antiheroine, an exile with nothing left to lose, and a love story that proves some crowns are worth any price.
Content warnings: Family betrayal, graphic violence, power-based coercion, murder, psychological manipulation, morally gray protagonists. For mature readers who understand that sometimes love requires becoming the monster the world demands.
Perfect for readers who devoured: Natasha Knight, Meghan March, and Sarah Brianne
When succession requires slaughter and power demands sacrifice, some thrones can only be claimed in blood.
