When an injury prevents Tristan from fighting in the ring, his family puts him in charge of taking over Doyle Whiskey. It’s the perfect opportunity for him until the owner's daughter, Evie, stumbles back into his life. Time may have changed them both, but when Tristan discovers Evie’s life is in danger, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, even if it means marriage. Readers who enjoy marriage-of-convenience romances will devour Whiskey Kisses by Rochelle Allison, a steamy friends-to-lovers, mafia romance.
Tristan
I always get my way.
Fighting is my life. In the ring, on the street, there’s no problem that can’t be solved with my fists.
When an injury puts me on the sidelines, my family sends me down South on business. They want me to take over Doyle Whiskey, a job they claim is perfect for me.
And it is, until the owner’s daughter stumbles back into my life.
Evie’s not the shy, awkward girl I knew as a kid. She’s beautiful and fierce, and she doesn’t need me.
Until she does.
Just because I can’t step into the ring, it doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten how to fight. Especially for a girl like Evie.
Evie
Our marriage might be a sham, but our friendship isn’t.
When my father’s debts land him in hot water, there’s a lot more than just money on the line. My freedom is at risk, and if I don’t figure something out, I could end up married off as payment.
But then Tristan shows up to take over our distillery. He’s as gorgeous as ever, but he’s not the sweet, mischievous boy I crushed on as a kid. He makes deals and takes what he wants and when he sees that I’m in danger, he takes me, too. In marriage.
I know he’s protecting his own interests by protecting me, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve wanted him my whole life, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect him right back.
Because the queen’s the most powerful piece on the board.
Whiskey Kisses is a steamy, dark, Irish mob romance. Marriage of convenience, m/f, friends-to-lovers, forced proximity.
It's the second book of the Gangland Hearts trilogy, which should be read in order. Recommended for mature audiences
Copyright 2024, Rochelle Allison
“He and Danny Deschamps made an agreement. If I marry Cole, all of Daddy’s debts to them will be canceled. And then they’ll pay off his other debts, too, because we’ll all be one big, happy family.” Her voice breaks, and she covers her face.
Anger ripples through me like a stormy sea, frustration crashing against the shores of my restraint. Evie’s being bartered off like chattel to cancel her father's debts? I knew that fucker was ruthless, but I never thought he’d stoop this low.
I squeeze her knee. “Your father can’t do that.” But he probably can. As bad as this is, I’ve seen worse. Men like Randall Doyle will do whatever it takes to cover their own asses. Even sacrifice the people they’re supposed to be protecting.
“He can, Tristan.” She’s breathing choppily, like she’s on the brink of hyperventilating. “I tried to talk him out of it, but he just got madder and madder. I live on his property … I have nowhere else to go. And even if I did leave, he’d find me. This is a small town—he knows everyone, and so do the Deschamps.” She looks up at me, her bright eyes wet and panicked.
“Is this why you avoided my calls today?” I shift to look at her, struggling to keep my voice even. “You should’ve told me right away.” Evie marrying Cole would be a disaster. Not only would it completely fuck our plans to take over Doyle’s distillery, but it would also bind Evie to someone she hates.
“Why, so you could counterattack?” Her eyes narrow, even as tears spill from them. “I wasn’t thinking about you, okay? I have enough shit to deal with on my own.”
She’s not totally wrong, but she doesn’t realize how much I actually care. About her, not just the distillery. “You’re not marrying that asshole, okay?”
Evie's lower lip trembles. “Once my father makes a deal, there's no going back.”
“He doesn't own you," I snap. “You're a person, not property. And that distillery is mine.”
“But—”
“Don’t underestimate me. You have no idea what I’m willing to do,” I say softly, gripping her chin. “What I want to know is, what are you willing to do?”
She blinks as my hand slides away. “Anything,” she whispers.
“We’ve known each other for a long time, Evie, and despite all of this bullshit, you do know me,” I say. “Do you trust me?”
It takes a long time, but eventually she gives me a single nod.
“Then marry me instead.”
Born and raised on the sunny beaches of the US Virgin Islands, Rochelle Allison has been living in her imagination since she was a little girl. Nowadays, Rochelle lives just outside of Atlanta with her one true love and their kids. When she’s not making up stories, she can be found reading, hiking, swimming, playing Wordle or taking pictures. She can almost always be found with a book…and chocolate.
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