Introducing Wounded Desire: A New Dark Mafia Romance in the Empire of Sins Series.

Wounded Desire: Cas & Enzo’s Story

When I wrote Dark Obsession and Lethal Vows, the focus was completely on Katrina Lincoln and Dario Russo. Their story became what many of you now know as the House of Russo duet — intense, emotional, and rooted in power, loyalty, and the way love reshaped both of them inside a dangerous world.

But from the beginning, I knew the Empire of Sins wasn’t just about one couple.

And now, it’s time to shift the spotlight.

One Year Later…

Wounded Desire opens one year after the events of the duet.

We’re still in Toronto. The city is still layered with tension and quiet power. But this time, we step fully into the lives of two characters who have been standing just behind the main story all along:

Casandra “Cas” Richards: Katrina’s best friend. Independent. Guarded. Ambitious. She built her event-planning business from the ground up, and she protects her peace the same way she protects her clients — carefully.

And then there’s Enzo.

Dario Russo’s enforcer. Quiet. Controlled. Loyal to a fault. The type of man who doesn’t speak unless it matters — and when it matters, it really matters.

If you’ve read the first two books, you already know there’s history there.

In Wounded Desire, we finally explore it.

What This Book Is About

Cas takes on a rushed, high-paying wedding tied to people she probably should avoid. It’s risky. It’s complicated. But she’s not the type to walk away from a challenge.

What she doesn’t expect is that the real danger won’t come from the wedding itself.

When something far more personal begins to unravel her sense of safety, Enzo is pulled back into her life — this time not in the background, but as her protector.

Forced proximity. Old tension. Unfinished emotions.

And in a world where power has consequences, loving someone dangerous is never simple.

At its core, this book is about second chances, fear, pride, protection, and the kind of connection that refuses to fade — even when walking away feels safer.

Is It a Standalone?

Yes.

Wounded Desire is a complete standalone romance within the Empire of Sins world. You can absolutely start here and follow Cas and Enzo’s story from beginning to end without reading the previous books.

That said, reading Dark Obsession and Lethal Vows first will give you a deeper context, especially for the world and the dynamics between the characters.

If you haven’t read the House of Russo duet yet, you can start here.

Either way, this story stands on its own.

Wounded Desire Releasing March 26, 2026 Another dark mafia romance set in Toronto.

The Empire of Sins continues. 🖤