The Man I Swore to Hate
Carmenta Bloomβs 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 familyβs 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 escapeβexcept one she never anticipated: his presence begins to consume her.
Perion isnβt who he claims to be. He isnβt just a hired handβheβs 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 Carmentaβs fiery spirit challenges Perionβs icy resolve, the line between duty and love begins to blur. Perion starts to see the woman behind the faΓ§ade, and Carmenta, despite her mistrust, feels drawn to the man she thinks is her protector.
He begins to question everythingβhis 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 sheβs willing to risk everythingβher heart, her life, and her very soulβfor the man who was never meant to protect her. As war closes in and trust crumbles, they must confront what theyβve both been running from or be destroyed by it.