A Viper in Velvet

Revna Kestel, a world-weary and sarcastic appraiser of dangerous antiquities, expects nothing but trouble when a blood-sealed delivery arrives at her workshop. The letter delivers a harsh ultimatum: prove she provides a stable, affluent home within thirty days, or lose custody of her orphaned niece to the ruthless Morvath family. Enter Casimir Renz - the city's most frivolous, scandalous playboy. He needs her specialized skills to root out a traitor in his syndicate; she needs his obscene wealth and surname. The rules of their fake engagement are simple, but the lines blur almost immediately. Casimir’s lazy facade slips, revealing a man who remembers her obscure tea preferences and shows a terrifying, cold-blooded possessiveness when a rival dares to flirt with her. After he casually drops a million dollars on a cursed necklace just to drape it around her neck at a public auction, Casimir realizes he hasn't looked at another woman in months. But Revna's focus remains solely on her cold, clever revenge. When she finally wins the custody ruling, she discovers the bitter twist: the victory is a legally binding trap designed to enslave her to her enemies. Will the tamed playboy burn the city down to protect what's his?