Gilded Empire Series by MJ Crouch

I was raised to be a mafia wife. All that was expected of me was to look beautiful and stay quiet. Until I was forced to become queen of the Marcosa mafia empire. In order to survive, I’ve had to put away the most feminine parts of myself and turn ruthless, strategic, and deadly. Even though it’s left me completely alone. Now a new enemy hides in the shadows, determined to destroy my empire—destroy me—piece by piece. And I have no idea who I can trust... moreI was raised to be a mafia wife. All that was expected of me was to look beautiful and stay quiet. Until I was forced to become queen of the Marcosa mafia empire. In order to survive, I’ve had to put away the most feminine parts of myself and turn ruthless, strategic, and deadly. Even though it’s left me completely alone. Now a new enemy hides in the shadows, determined to destroy my empire—destroy me—piece by piece. And I have no idea who I can trust. Until three men become the very foundation of my Greyson - My best friend, my second-in-command, my savior. The one I always needed but couldn’t have. Dominic – My new underboss with molten eyes and a smile made for war. He brings out a gentle side in me I don’t know if I can afford. Nate – My good Samaritan who is also a weapon, a killer—I can’t let myself forget that. But resisting him isn’t an option. These men will burn the world to the ground to keep me safe. But that may not be enough. •••Author’s Broken Crown is the first book in the Gilded Empire series and ends on a cliffhanger. This is a Why Choose romance with violence, dark themes, and ruthlessly possessive—and protective—men. less

Mari Marcosa always knew she would die young, so being left to bleed out on a warehouse floor is no shock to her. But as the blood seeps from her body, her thoughts aren’t of the Marcosa empire she's ruled for years, or the city she's given everything to protect. It's on the three men who’ve stood by her. Greyson: her soul, her foundation. So hard and reserved, showing emotion only to Mari. Dominic: her heart, her first love. He’s a dreamer but can wreck her in the best ways possible... moreMari Marcosa always knew she would die young, so being left to bleed out on a warehouse floor is no shock to her. But as the blood seeps from her body, her thoughts aren’t of the Marcosa empire she's ruled for years, or the city she's given everything to protect. It's on the three men who’ve stood by her. Greyson: her soul, her foundation. So hard and reserved, showing emotion only to Mari. Dominic: her heart, her first love. He’s a dreamer but can wreck her in the best ways possible. Nate: her comfort, her peace. He soothes and calms Mari even though she's only known him a short time. Her enemies have done their best to destroy her, and now it’s up to her men to piece her back together. They will do anything to make that happen. But they can’t protect her from the threat none of them ever saw coming. .. •••••. Author’s Damaged Kingdom is the second book in the Gilded Empire series which should be read in order. This is a "Why Choose? " romance with violence, dark themes, and ruthlessly possessive—and protective—men. less

Mari Marcosa has been betrayed by a person she let inside her life in every possible way. The pain is unbearable, not just because of what he means—meant—to her, but because now she's got a huge damn target on her back. Almost as big as the hole in her heart. Every mafia leader in the city sees this betrayal as a sign of Mari's weakness and they can’t wait to use it to their advantage... moreMari Marcosa has been betrayed by a person she let inside her life in every possible way. The pain is unbearable, not just because of what he means—meant—to her, but because now she's got a huge damn target on her back. Almost as big as the hole in her heart. Every mafia leader in the city sees this betrayal as a sign of Mari's weakness and they can’t wait to use it to their advantage. Her back is to a wall that is crumbling more every second and the men she needs most are struggling just to stay alive. She'll have to align with the unthinkable to survive—as secrets she thought were buried deep start rising to the surface. And it turns out the truth she thought she knew. .. might not be true at all. •••••. Author’s Fierce Monarch is the third book in the Gilded Empire series and should be read in order. This is a "Why Choose? " romance with violence, dark themes, and ruthlessly possessive—and protective—men. less

It all comes down to this. Mari Marcosa's family—the three men who are her very world—is back together. She won’t let anything tear them apart. Not again. May God have mercy on her enemies. Because she won’t. •••••. Author’s Vicious Throne is the conclusion of the Gilded Empire series, and cannot be read out of order. This is a "Why Choose? " romance with violence, dark themes, and ruthlessly possessive—and protective—men.