KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench, where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site, so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

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INSIDIOUS OBSESSION
Enemies to Lovers Dark Mafia Romance
BY KIA CARRINGTON-RUSSELL

Blurb

Ara
Revenge was meant to be sweet.
Instead, I’ve drawn the attention of a monster.
I’m at his mercy.
He knows my secret. But only part of it.
Time is ticking, and only one of us is going to walk out of this alive.

Luca
Ara is my stalker, but I’ve become obsessed.
She has more curves and beauty than she has a right to.
I’m going to break her.
I want to cut open and figure out that brilliant mind of hers.
Especially when I suspect she’s trying to underhand everything I’ve built.

*This is an enemies to lovers, mafia dark romance stand alone.*

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I rush down the hallway, memorizing every door and inch of the mansion. Quickly, I find the bathroom and close the door behind me, then slam my back against it with my heart racing. I expect to hear footsteps following me, but there is nothing. Good. My heartbeat eases into a rhythmic beat as I check around the marble powder room. It’s obnoxiously oversized, but so are most of the houses and grand events I’ve attended since moving to New York. Hell, the one I grew up in was of the same standard as this one, with the opulence and grandeur of people who think they are superior in every way.

Casually, I walk over to the mirror, ruffling my hair to look every bit the part of a sick, rattled woman. No one will bother giving me any attention because I am simply a little girl who can’t handle her liquor. I find it almost comical. In instances like this, it’s a blessing to be a woman because no one ever sees me as a threat—especially the type of powerful men I grew up around.

I check the mirror and notice how the blonde wig contrasts heavily against my tan complexion. It makes sense, considering my natural hair color is as black as night. I’ve also worn contacts to cover my green eyes with flecks of blue.

My gold bracelet is nothing too expensive but offers evidence I am the perfect example of Dario’s type.

He likes to buy people.

He likes his whores.

If they already have money, they don’t need him unless it’s for their reputation alone.

I wait a few more minutes, then kick off the counter. Time to focus on what I actually came here for.

Meticulously, I open the door and look to either side, half expecting a bodyguard to be waiting. To my delight, there isn’t anyone around. So I walk in the opposite direction of the orgy, staggering slightly and looking lost. Noticing one camera already, I pause before two wooden ornate doors and place my finger on my lip for dramatic effect. If anyone’s watching, I’ll look like a lost little lamb.

When I open them, I’m delighted by the massive wooden pillars and a room that expands into an impressive personal library and office. It’s dimly lit but enough to make out what it contains. So far, it’s the only room with no cameras. For privacy, I guess. A false sense of security and one I must not allow myself to get caught up in. I carry on, pretending to be tipsy but inquisitive. What’s certain is what I’m after is clearly not in this room.

A shadow falls across the entrance, and I hear the click before I have time to fully turn.

Shit!

A gun is pointed in my direction.

My breath naturally falters. I’ve done a few jobs, but I’ve never been held at gunpoint during any of them.

Before I begin my lost lamb theatrics, I recognize who is holding the gun in my direction. He wasn’t meant to be here.

The dimly lit room fiercely highlights the cruel cut jaw and cheekbones. Piercing blue eyes strike me like lightning. I’ve seen them so many times in articles, media, social circles, and in the thousands of photographs I have taken of this very man. My only saving grace is he has no idea who I am.

About Author Kia Carrington-Russell…

Amazon Top 25 Best Selling Author

Australian Author, Kia Carrington-Russell is known for her recognizable style of kick-butt heroines, enemies to lovers, fast paced action and romance that dances from light to dark. Including multiples genres such as Dark Romance, Contemporary Romance and Fantasy Romance. Obsessed with all things coffee, food and travel, Kia is always seeking out her next international adventure.

Now back in her home country of Australia, she takes her Cavoodle, Sia along morning walks on beautiful coastline beaches, building worlds in the sea breezes and contemplating which deliciously haunting story to write next.

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Links to Kia’s websites, blogs, books, #ad etc.:

Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/4dh9FeA

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/4dkTm0a

Follow Kia at:
TikTok– kia_crystal
Instagram– kiacarringortonrussell
Facebook– kiacarringtonrussellauthor