A winter night, a clear sky, and a telescope. The ideal recipe for an excellent chance to view the stars. But when something else appears in her eyepiece, Miss Holly Trease tumbles into a much darker experience…

A practical and intelligent young woman, Holly Trease is fascinated by all things scientific and scholarly. She’s detail-oriented, and fascinated by the natural world, including the universe at night. Her parents encourage her learning, and her pride and joy is their gift of a telescope, tucked away in her own little wing of Forest Grange. Men (and other frivolous pursuits) aren’t of much interest to Holly…until a shocking and violent incident occurs practically at her own back door!

Richard Hawkesbury, solicitor, hopes to conclude his mission before Christmas. But it is an important one, so he leaves his office in London to journey into the countryside bearing a valuable document. Although darkness falls early at this time of year, he’s certainly not expecting a sudden attack that leaves him unconscious in the middle of nowhere.

Stunned and horrified, Holly sees the entire thing through her telescope. Could she have ever imagined that her consequent actions would help unmask a truly evil villain? Or that the man lying half-dead in the snow might well be the one she didn’t know she was waiting for? Whatever the answers, the spirit of Christmas will triumph, and give both Richard and Holly a gift they weren’t expecting…

“Nobody crosses Nikolai Stefanovich and lives to tell the tale…”

A chilling realization hits me…

He’s here to claim me.

Kidnapped, bound, and drugged, I wake up in a strange place.

Towering over me is Nikolai: my one-night stand.

And, to my shock, the ruthless boss of the Russian bratva. Feared by all, he has no weaknesses… except me.

To survive, I strike a desperate deal with the devil.

But as my past sins catch up with me, Nikolai becomes more than just my captor. Beneath his cold exterior, I discover a man scarred by grief, driven by revenge—and willing to risk his empire and life to protect me.

Now, as his devotion turns into obsession, one question haunts me: will he save me… or destroy me for good?

Originally released as the Diamond Duet, this story has been revamped with fresh edits and expanded with brand-new chapters to make it better than ever. Whether you’re coming back for more or experiencing it for the first time, you’re in for an unforgettable, heart-pounding ride!