The Obsession by J. L. Perry

*The Obsession can be read as a standalone.

Dominic:

The first time I laid eyes on Emily Ashford, the waitress at La Riviera, there was something about her that made me take notice. Those wide, innocent blue eyes held such purity it almost seemed like they could cleanse the darkest parts of me. Her long blonde hair resembled spun silk, and that smile—soft and unguarded—hit me harder than I’d like to admit.

With my fierce reputation and permanent scowl, most would rather cross the street than walk past me. But not her. Emily looks at me like I’m worth saving.

I’d find out soon enough that she belonged to someone else, but it didn’t matter.

I wanted her.

I needed her.

And over the years, that want darkened into an obsession I couldn’t shake.

Emily:

Dominic Rizzo is an enigma. Tall, good-looking, muscular, tattooed, and brooding. I’ve heard the rumours about who he is, the enforcer for the mob. He’s also the sole guardian of his sweet little niece, Peach, and watching him with her is a contradiction I can’t understand. The way his hard edges soften when she smiles at him melts my heart.

But I’m already living with a monster, and I’m not about to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire. I’ve learned the hard way that appearances don’t mean a damn thing. The devil never shows his hand at the start.

Over time, I’ve built walls to keep men like him out, but life has a way of testing your weak spots. When everything finally comes crashing down, Dominic is the only one left standing in the wreckage, and the last person I ever thought I’d need.