Natalie Morris doesn't need protection. She built Crimson Quill Press from nothing, carved out space in an industry that doesn't forgive weakness, and learned a long time ago how to survive men who think power entitles them to ownership. Elias Vasquez is a cartel negotiator. Quiet. Precise. Lethal. He works for the Sandovals because chaos makes sense to him-and feelings don't. When Natalie's past brings the Bratva into Sandoval territory, Elias is assigned to keep her under control. What he doesn't expect is a woman who refuses to be handled, manipulated, or scared into compliance-and who sees straight through the armor he's built around himself. Forced proximity turns into control. Control turns into want. And want becomes dangerous. Because Natalie isn't just a liability-she's leverage. And Elias can't walk away from her. In a world where loyalty is currency and love is a liability, choosing each other might be the most dangerous move they can make. Sly Dog is a dark crime romance featuring forced proximity, possessive dynamics, morally gray men, a powerful heroine, and a guaranteed HEA-on their own terms.