Beneath The Steel by Marie

Story Notes

He wasn’t supposed to care. She wasn’t supposed to look back. But neither of them were ever good at doing what they were told.

Hey readers! Thank you for embarking on this writing journey with me. Beneath the Steel started as a thought, and has become an obsession. This is my first work that I hope you enjoy, and if only for a moment, lose yourself in the words, the story. I hope you connect with the characters and make room for the roller coaster you're about to experience.

I'm nervous as this is my first publication, so be gentle, yeah?

Scheduling for this story is as follows.

Bi-weekly, Saturday release by noon.

This allows a grace period for me to work according to my job, and to make sure the story hits as intended.

Any comments, questions, or suggestions are always welcome. Thank you!

Marie Fox

Summary

When loyalty is tested, trust becomes a weapon. Emilio Cruz doesn’t do vulnerability. As the reluctant heir to a bloodstained legacy, his world is built on secrets, precision, and danger. But when Jarmesha Woods—a woman running from her own fractured past—gets swept into the crossfire of a deal gone wrong, everything changes. She’s more than collateral. She’s the ghost of a life, someone needs buried. And she’s about to uncover the truth no one was meant to find. As the lines between protection and obsession blur, Emilio finds himself at war with his enemies, his past, and the man he swore he’d never become. But Jarmesha has her own scars and her own reasons to fight back. Together, they’ll have to navigate betrayal, hidden ties, and a slow-burning bond that could save them—or tear them apart. Slow-burn romance. Tension-soaked suspense. Brutal loyalty and fragile trust. For readers who crave emotional depth with their danger, Beneath the Steel will leave you breathless.

Genre: Thriller/Mystery

Author: Marie_Fox

Status: Ongoing

Chapters: 17

Rating: n/a

Age Rating: 18+

Trigger/Content Warnings

Trigger/Content Warnings for Beneath the Steel

Violence and Physical Assault – Includes graphic depictions of fights, confrontations, and weapon use

Abduction/Kidnapping – Involves scenes of captivity and the emotional aftermath

Sexual Situations and Intimacy – Includes detailed consensual intimacy and sensuality

Language – Strong language is used throughout

Death and Grief – Depictions of character loss, mourning, and emotional trauma

Parental Betrayal / Familial Abuse (Emotional & Possible Physical) – Complex and painful dynamics, particularly involving Mesha’s family history

PTSD / Psychological Trauma – Characters experience flashbacks, anxiety, and coping with traumatic memories

Weapons and Organized Crime Themes – Elements related to cartel activity, smuggling, and moral ambiguity

Mature Themes – Includes discussions of loyalty, revenge, chosen family, and the blurred line between justice and vengeance