Book excerpt: The pakhan of the Bratva mafia, Daniel, is a force to be reckoned with. With his chiseled body, tattoos, and smoldering eyes, he exudes danger and power. Despite his ruthless reputation, my heart aches for him. The press of his lips on mine, the graze of his stubbly chin, and the touch of his callous hands make me weak in the knees. I know I should keep my distance, but every fiber of my being longs to be closer to him. But falling for dangerous men is a pattern I can't afford to repeat. My heart has led me astray before, and I can't let it happen again. Nevertheless, fate has other plans. I'm pregnant with Daniel's child, and the thought of his reaction sends shivers down my spine. If he finds out, I'm sure he'll stop at nothing to make me his. I'm not ready to be a part of his dangerous world, but I can't ignore the growing life inside me. I have to keep my pregnancy a secret from Daniel, but the truth is getting harder to conceal. Every day is a battle to keep the lie alive, but I know that I can't hide my growing bump forever. I'm torn between my love for Daniel and my fear of what he'll do when he finds out. Will he protect our unborn child, or will he use it as a pawn in his dangerous game?