She was never mine to take. I stole her anyway. And now, I’ll kill to keep her.

Zinaida Krupin has never tasted freedom. For nearly a decade, her father kept her locked away, a pawn in his ruthless game. But when Kazimir, the Pakhan of the Bratva, presents her with an offer—an escape wrapped in the fine print of a contract too tempting to refuse—she dares to take it. What she doesn’t realize is that signing her name means stepping from one cage into another, one that comes with chains of a different kind.

Osip Gusev has never questioned his place in the Bratva. As a Brigadier, he’s done what was expected, never daring to want more. But when Kazimir hands him the keys to an empire—and a woman who was never meant for him—everything changes. 

She is a printsessa, raised in silk and shadows. He is a soldier, hardened by blood and loyalty. Together, they are expected to take over Northern California. But power breeds enemies, and not everyone is willing to bow to a new king and queen.

If they falter, they’ll lose everything—including each other. In their world, power is an illusion, loyalty is bought with blood, and failure is a death sentence.