When I met him, I didn't realize who he was. I still didn't when I let him take me back to his hotel for the night. I never expected to see him again. Until I found him on my father's couch, revealing he and I are connected in more ways than simply a one-night stand. To make it worse, he was a Saint, part of the ruling mafia family that owned the city of Redhill. I should have stayed away at that point. I had a lot at risk and my own mess to deal with, but it wasn't that easy. Not when he kept showing up, and that one night turned to two, and then three.

Virtuous. Kind. Patient. These were words never associated with Gabriel Saint. He was a monster. The devil that haunted the city of Redhill. And he had found me. I managed to hide for a while from my past, present, and future. But I should have known they’d come looking. After all, I had the heir of the city in my arms, and if I know anything about the ruling crime family of this city, it’s that family comes before all else. When Gabriel comes for me, I fight but know it’s useless, and when he forces me to be his wife, I vow to make his life as miserable as possible.

The ruthless mafia king is no stranger to violence, but when he lays his eyes on my bruised and battered face, he's furious. I thought my makeup was thick enough to cover the beating I suffered until my inappropriately flirtatious boss noticed. As a cocktail waitress in his casino, I've always been on Mr. Salvato's radar, but now he's obsessed, demanding to know who hurt me and why, intent on making them suffer.

These Rough Waters is a dark, smalltown romance. It can be listened to as a standalone but is book 1 of a series that will progress with interconnected characters. It has dark elements that some listeners may not be comfortable with. A full list of these to come.

From a poor underground street fighter, I rose to fame as the world heavyweight boxing champion. No one knew I was also a monster who hunted in the shadows. Trapped in the mafia until my debts were paid. A simple deal held my freedom—unify my belts. It seemed simple until an enchanting British firecracker landed on my lap, knocking me sideways. Wanting her was dangerous for us both, but I took her anyway. Leaving me with the choice, fight for my freedom or hers. When the truth is unmasked, could she still love me? Would love be enough to battle our demons and come out on top?