The Devil You Know (Book 3): A Dark Mafia Romance, #3

By Claire St. Rose

This is book 3 and the finale of the Dark Mafia Romance series!

I knew he'd break me from the second I saw him.

One drink too many sent me tumbling into the wrong man's arms.

Cliff Aurello is a bad boy, a mafioso, a savage killer.

And now, he's got his bloodstained fingers wrapped around my heart.

Liana

It was my fault from the start.

I should have never let a mafia monster like Cliff into my life.

Because the second I did, he turned my safe haven into a war zone.

I had every reason not to trust him.

But when he pinned me to the wall, hand pressed against my throat…

When his breath, hot against my skin, said filthy things that made my heart race…

It was impossible to tell him no.

I can't fight it.

Can only submit every time he reminds me…

I belong to him.

Cliff

I brought hell to her doorstep.

She didn't need my past or my problems.

But after I got a taste of her, nothing would be the same.

I owned her.

Made her my possession and the center of my life.

Now, a lunatic wants us dead.

Down in the ground, six feet deep.

I'll take his life before he can take what's mine.

No one is taking her from me.

Not now.

Not ever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBook Publishing World
• Release date: Dec 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393550945

Book preview

The Devil You Know: A Mob Romance (Book 3)

By Claire St. Rose

I knew he’d break me from the second I saw him.

ONE DRINK TOO MANY sent me tumbling into the wrong man’s arms.

Cliff Aurello is a bad boy, a mafioso, a savage killer.

And now, he’s got his bloodstained fingers wrapped around my heart.

Liana

It was my fault from the start.

I should have never let a mafia monster like Cliff into my life.

Because the second I did, he turned my safe haven into a war zone.

I had every reason not to trust him.

But when he pinned me to the wall, hand pressed against my throat...

When his breath, hot against my skin, said filthy things that made my heart race...

It was impossible to tell him no.

I can’t fight it.

Can only submit every time he reminds me...

I belong to him.

Cliff

I brought hell to her doorstep.

She didn’t need my past or my problems.

But after I got a taste of her, nothing would be the same.

I owned her.

Made her my possession and the center of my life.

Now, a lunatic wants us dead.

Down in the ground, six feet deep.

I’ll take his life before he can take what’s mine.

No one is taking her from me.

Not now.

Not ever.

Chapter 1

Liana’s small smile of satisfaction lasted almost all the way back into the city. It didn’t matter to her that Cliff was stewing over in the driver’s seat. It didn’t matter that she’d have to account for her ultimatum later. She was on her way to end this all. She was on her way to save her friends.

Liana reached for the radio. They’d been driving in silence since he’d angrily shut it off a few miles back when he saw she was still smiling. Cliff shot her a dirty glare.

Don’t you fucking dare.

What have you got against music? she asked.

I’d rather have silence so I can think about how fucking pissed at you I am.

Liana didn’t push it. She wanted to. She always wanted to push her luck with Cliff. But now wasn’t the time, and she felt a little bad for forcing him into this anyway. Which was what sent her smile into a droop.

Cliff wasn’t somebody who liked taking orders; Liana understood that. But she didn’t understand why he had to be so goddamn grumpy about it. What use did that serve? It just made the car ride long and boring.

Luckily, once they were back in the city, entertainment was just around the corner. Too bad it was the wrong kind.

Oh my God. Liana gaped, bringing her face close to the window as if the image was merely distorted by the glass.

Cliff released a string of expletives that would have made a sailor blush. Liana, on the other hand, was used to it.

All the windows of Cliff’s townhouse were smashed. The door looked like someone had taken a battering ram to it. And it looked like it was only going to be worse when they got inside.

Cliff, Liana whispered. She looked over at him. His knuckles were white against the steering wheel. Cliff?

He thrust the car into park and got out, leaving it idling in the middle of the road. Liana looked from the empty driver’s seat to where he was stomping up the path to the front door. She put her hand on the door handle.

As if he sensed it, Cliff whirled. Stay in the car!

Liana let her hand drop. He had left no room for argument. She took advantage of the alone time and pulled out her phone, turning it on. Immediately, it began to buzz with missed voicemails. She cast a glance over to the house, but Cliff was nowhere to be seen. At least she’d be occupied until he returned.

"Hi, Liana. This is Lincoln, the entertainment manager at Rick’s. I’m calling to tell you that unfortunately, we will not be booking you in the future. You did a wonderful show, but our staff have been receiving anonymous death threats calling for your dismissal."

Liana gasped.

"We have reported these concerns to the police. They’re looking into it, but at this time we will not be continuing our working relationship with you. Please accept my sincerest apologies. All the best."

Liana let the phone slip from her fingers as soon as she ended the call. Tears pricked at her eyes. Where would it end? Would she ever have any peace? Why was Colin doing this? Liana scanned the house for signs of movement but saw nothing. What if Colin was still inside? What if he was going to take Cliff away from her next?

Liana wrenched the key out of the ignition and jumped out without thinking. She didn’t have any thinking left in her. All she had was rage and sadness. All she had was Cliff. She marched toward the door and pushed inside.

There was nothing left.

Everything—from the sculptures in the study to the banister on the stairs—had been smashed to smithereens. Pieces of splintered wood and broken glass crunched underfoot as she moved from room to room. Liana was afraid of what would happen if Colin were here, so she stayed quiet. Or tried to, at least.

She couldn’t hear anyone else in the house. Not at first. Just as she’d finished her sweep of the first floor, she heard a thump from upstairs. Tentatively, Liana approached the stairs, gazing up at the mangled chandelier. Had Colin done this alone? It must have taken him hours.

Footsteps approached the stairs, and Liana froze and bunched her muscles, preparing to bolt.

I told you to wait in the car. Cliff breezed past her. Come on.

Liana tagged along after him. Why wasn’t he yelling at her? What was going on? Cliff, she called weakly.

He stopped in the doorway, illuminated by the shaft of light that slipped through the broken door. His eyes looked so weary, no longer flashing steel but brooding clouds. His jaw was tight. She wondered how much he’d lost with this discovery. She wished she could have prevented it.

They should never have come. Liana might not have been able to prevent what happened here, but she could have prolonged the time until Cliff discovered it. Outside, traffic cruised by. Sirens crooned in the distance. People