Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Relationship: FM
Tropes/Triggers: CSA, animal cruelty, SA, mentions of past grooming, mention of past suicide ideation/ attempt, drugging for SA, NC, kidnapping
Series: Ruthless Protector - The Institute #2

Synopsis
This is the second book in the series. It can be read as a standalone but you get a much richer experience if you read the first beforehand, Ruthless Hunter. Most of the story occurs in tandem with the Ruthless Hunter, but centers on different characters. Some plot points are shared but this story is definitely its own and events occur after the first book.

FMC Kat VanHalen is a billionaire heiress who is renowned for her beauty. But behind her carefully crafted exterior, there is a lifelong history of suffering at the hands of her own father. She goes to The Institute to try to find a way to free herself but her plans go awry.

MMC Lazarus Rossi is a first son of a powerful Mafia family. A threat on his life sends him to The Institute, as well as trying to even the score with other Mafia heirs.

But as soon as he sets his eyes on Kat, he falls, especially when he detects the pain in her eyes.
Kat's history of pain and suffering spawned a plethora of secrets, which hold her hostage. Can Lazarus help free her from her demons? Can he handle her scarring secrets?

Review
As previously said, most of this book is on the same timeline as the first book. Kat and Laz are minor characters in the first book and this book adds so much context to what we know about them. I love seeing how things played out from their POVs and why they were the way they were in the first book.

There is a lot of tragic backstory about Kat. Very awful things have happened to her and continue to happen, which makes this a slow burn. The way the spice is handled is very tasteful and respectful, yet still delicious.

Unlike many mafia family stories, Lazarus has a loving relationship with his family, which is beautiful to see. His story has a lot of parallels with Finley, the MMC from the first book so it's fun to read how much he hates him when they are so similar.