The Man I Swore to Hate
Carmenta Bloomโs life is the epitome of gilded misery, and she is no stranger to controversy. With wealth and glory as her inheritance, she has everything but the freedom to live on her own terms. When a scandal threatens her familyโs ironclad reputation, Carmenta is cast into a prison of her own making under the watchful eye of her bodyguard, Perion. Perion is her captor in every sense. He moves mountains and pounds them to ground again. He controls her, isolates her, and refuses to allow any escapeโexcept one she never anticipated: his presence begins to consume her.
Perion isnโt who he claims to be. He isnโt just a hired handโheโs tied to a powerful mafia syndicate, his motives shrouded in secrecy. To him, Carmenta is a key piece in a high-stakes war his syndicate is waging. As Carmentaโs fiery spirit challenges Perionโs icy resolve, the line between duty and love begins to blur. Perion starts to see the woman behind the faรงade, and Carmenta, despite her mistrust, feels drawn to the man she thinks is her protector.
He begins to question everythingโhis loyalty and the woman who has somehow gotten under his skin. Torn between duty and desire, Perion must face the consequences of his lies, while Carmenta must decide if sheโs willing to risk everythingโher heart, her life, and her very soulโfor the man who was never meant to protect her. As war closes in and trust crumbles, they must confront what theyโve both been running from or be destroyed by it.