When Nina agrees to marry the powerful Pakhan of the Russian Bratva, she knows she's playing a dangerous game. Charming, captivating, and seductive on the surface, she's actually a cold-blooded killer trapped in a marriage of convenience. Every smile, every touch, every whispered word of love is part of the elaborate deception she's forced to maintain as she trembles with fear, desperate for the day she can escape his ruthless clutches.
Roman gets anything he desires, and what he wants is this perfectly imperfect little manipulator. The way she can deceive everyone into believing she's crazy in love with him only makes him want her more. He sees through her lies yet finds himself drawn to the fire beneath the ice, the strength that allows her to play this dangerous game. But what neither of them expects is how easily the lines between acting and reality begin to blur.
As their dangerous dance continues, Nina discovers that Roman's possessive nature goes far beyond the expected control of a mafia boss. There's a protectiveness in his eyes that contradicts his ruthless reputation, while Roman finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew about power and control. The fake marriage might have been part of the deal, but neither of them counted on the real emotions that would complicate their dangerous arrangement.
Painted Scars is the first book in the Perfectly Imperfect mafia series, offering a love story that focuses on the complex relationship between Nina and Roman. While there are scenes depicting the violence inherent in their world, this installment is considerably lighter than its sequels, focusing primarily on the emotional journey of two damaged souls finding solace in each other's arms. With no cheating and a guaranteed HEA, this enemies-to-lovers romance explores whether love can truly heal even the most battered hearts.
