Fifth Republic Series by Penelope Sky

I found out my husband of three years had cheated on me and his mistress is the one who told me—because he didn’t have the balls to do it himself. I move out and get a new apartment, a job as a bartender, and try to move on with a broken heart. I wonder where it all went wrong, if I hadn’t been enough for him, if I’d been stupid for marrying him in the first place. I’m at work one night when he walks inside—the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen... moreI found out my husband of three years had cheated on me and his mistress is the one who told me—because he didn’t have the balls to do it himself. I move out and get a new apartment, a job as a bartender, and try to move on with a broken heart. I wonder where it all went wrong, if I hadn’t been enough for him, if I’d been stupid for marrying him in the first place. I’m at work one night when he walks inside—the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. He sits at the bar and a forest fire burns between us. I was depressed the moment before he entered, but the second I look at his blue eyes, I forget the dumpster fire that my life has become. I invite him back to my place and it’s the most passionate night of my life. I expect to never see him again. I just want him as an anti-depressant—but he wants me all to himself. I just got my heart ripped out of my chest so I want something easy and no-strings-attached, but he wants all the strings because he’s hooked. I don’t get much of a say in the matter, and that’s not surprising when I learn why—because he’s the Butcher. The crime lord of all crime lords, the boss that overshadows all of Paris, that makes everyone abide by his rules—or pay. And now I’m his. less

I'm fully in this with Bastien now. The kingpin of all kingpins, a man who oversees all the gangs of Paris, President Martin's right-hand man. If I were smart, I would leave, but I'm pretty sure I'm already in love with this man...Adrien continues to challenge my divorce until Bastien gets involved. And like always, that man fixes all my problems.But little do I know, the Aristocrats are out for Adrien... moreI'm fully in this with Bastien now. The kingpin of all kingpins, a man who oversees all the gangs of Paris, President Martin's right-hand man. If I were smart, I would leave, but I'm pretty sure I'm already in love with this man...Adrien continues to challenge my divorce until Bastien gets involved. And like always, that man fixes all my problems.But little do I know, the Aristocrats are out for Adrien. My ex continues to ignore the warnings that Bastien gives, only giving them out of a courtesy to me. It's not my problem, and if Adrien wants to get himself killed, that's his prerogative.It quickly becomes my problem when the Aristocrats target me instead of Adrien, because technically, we are still married. And I'm still the woman Adrien loves. I find myself in a world of trouble and the only person who can save me is The Butcher, a French Emperor, leader of the Fifth Republic.The man that will kill anyone and everyone for me. less

I drowned to death. I held my breath as long as I could, but then my lungs sucked in water hoping it was air, and it was a painful and brutal ending, an internal drowning, my heart beating so hard desperate for oxygen...until it just stopped. I could never forget it...even if I wanted to.Bastien assumes our relationship is over. That I'll run for the hills and wash my hands clean of the most dangerous man in Paris. But I'm not going anywhere. Not now. Not ever. I ran before, but not anymore... moreI drowned to death. I held my breath as long as I could, but then my lungs sucked in water hoping it was air, and it was a painful and brutal ending, an internal drowning, my heart beating so hard desperate for oxygen...until it just stopped. I could never forget it...even if I wanted to.Bastien assumes our relationship is over. That I'll run for the hills and wash my hands clean of the most dangerous man in Paris. But I'm not going anywhere. Not now. Not ever. I ran before, but not anymore. I can tell it means the world to him.But the dangers haven't passed. The Aristocrats want blood for their leader's execution. Bastien and his brother are still sworn enemies, and the gangs are beginning to riot against the Fifth Republic. It's the most dangerous time to be a French Emperor.Bastien tells me all this...but I still won't leave. I believe Bastien will keep me safe from all the monsters that lurk under the streets of Paris...until he doesn't. Until I'm captured by his enemies and taken from the City of Light. I know Bastien will come for me. I know Bastien will kill every single one of them for taking me.But will I be dead by the time he gets here...like last time? less

Before the foundation of the Fifth Republic, my father crossed his business partner, and the consequences of that were dire.The execution of my entire family...except me.I've been on the run from The Oath, assassins that vow to finish every contract they receive. Every few years they find me again, and then I'm on the run once more. I'm working as a sommelier at Septime in Paris when they find me again, and they try to ambush me after work late one night... moreBefore the foundation of the Fifth Republic, my father crossed his business partner, and the consequences of that were dire.The execution of my entire family...except me.I've been on the run from The Oath, assassins that vow to finish every contract they receive. Every few years they find me again, and then I'm on the run once more. I'm working as a sommelier at Septime in Paris when they find me again, and they try to ambush me after work late one night.I run for the street and hop into the first car I find. "Drive!" To my surprise, he asks no questions and speeds away through the streets of Paris and shakes them off my tail. He tells me his name.Luca Fournier.I have nowhere to go, so he lets me stay with him for protection...for a price.Me.I quickly learn that the man I'm bedding is one of the French Emperors, a secret society that's part of the senate, and it's his job to separate the criminals from the innocents. I could have jumped into any car, but I jumped into his.Is it luck?Or is it fate? less