The Kingpin’s Empire Series by Valentina Cross

He marked me the moment he decided I belonged to him. Adriano De Luca doesn’t ask. He takes. Feared kingpin. Ruthless strategist. A man who rules the city from the shadows. And now… he wants me. When my brother’s debt drags me into Adriano’s world, I become collateral in a war I never saw coming. He says he’s protecting me. But protection from a monster often means belonging to one... moreHe marked me the moment he decided I belonged to him. Adriano De Luca doesn’t ask. He takes. Feared kingpin. Ruthless strategist. A man who rules the city from the shadows. And now… he wants me. When my brother’s debt drags me into Adriano’s world, I become collateral in a war I never saw coming. He says he’s protecting me. But protection from a monster often means belonging to one. The deeper I fall into his empire, the more I see the truth behind his cold control — the obsession, the possessiveness, the way his touch burns like a promise and a warning. I should hate him. I should run. But when enemies close in and I’m taken to break him, Adriano shows the world exactly what happens to anyone who dares to touch what’s his. Cities burn. Men disappear. And I learn that being marked by the kingpin means there’s no escape. Only surrender. less

He didn’t just claim me. He declared war for me. Adriano De Luca rules with control. With precision. With fear. But loving me? That’s the one weakness his enemies were waiting for. Now I’m no longer the outsider dragged into his empire. I’m inside it. Watching council members bow. Watching rivals circle. Watching the most dangerous man in the city lose control when it comes to me. He says I’m his. He proves it every time someone dares to look too long. But empires crack from within... moreHe didn’t just claim me. He declared war for me. Adriano De Luca rules with control. With precision. With fear. But loving me? That’s the one weakness his enemies were waiting for. Now I’m no longer the outsider dragged into his empire. I’m inside it. Watching council members bow. Watching rivals circle. Watching the most dangerous man in the city lose control when it comes to me. He says I’m his. He proves it every time someone dares to look too long. But empires crack from within. A traitor hides among us. An assassination attempt leaves Adriano bleeding in my arms. And for the first time, I see what happens when the kingpin is pushed too far. He becomes a monster. War ignites. Alliances shatter. And when I step into the line of fire to save him…. The bullet meant for Adriano finds me instead. Darkness falls. His roar is the last thing I hear. less

They tried to kill me. They forgot who I belong to. I survived the bullet. But survival changes a person. Adriano De Luca was already feared. Now he’s merciless. The city whispers about what he did after I fell. Warehouses burned. Alliances were erased. Men disappeared. They thought taking me would break him. Instead, they created a king without restraint. But war isn’t clean. And enemies don’t always come from outside the empire. A traitor stands closer than we ever imagined... moreThey tried to kill me. They forgot who I belong to. I survived the bullet. But survival changes a person. Adriano De Luca was already feared. Now he’s merciless. The city whispers about what he did after I fell. Warehouses burned. Alliances were erased. Men disappeared. They thought taking me would break him. Instead, they created a king without restraint. But war isn’t clean. And enemies don’t always come from outside the empire. A traitor stands closer than we ever imagined. Blood ties fracture. Secrets surface. And the throne Adriano built begins to crack beneath us. This time, I’m not the girl dragged into the darkness. I stand beside him. I command loyalty. And when the final war ignites, the city will learn something new:. A kingpin is dangerous. But a queen beside him? Deadly. less