THE CLEANER’S CAPTIVE (Ruthless Rule 2) by Delta James-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 29, 2026

He was sent to kidnap her.
Now he’s the only one keeping her alive.
Mateo Reyes is the cartel’s cleaner.
Sofia Navarro is the prosecutor who put his brother in prison.
Now she’s his captive.
She should hate him.
She does.
Until she proves his brother is guilty—
and Mateo has been nothing more than a weapon.
With the cartel ordering her death, Mateo has a choice:
Kill her…
or protect her.
But the longer she stays, the more dangerous she becomes.
Because she’s no longer just his hostage.
She’s his.

•••••

REVIEW: THE CLEANER’S CAPTIVE is the second instalment in Delta James’ contemporary, adult RUTHLESS RULE erotic, Mafia romance series. This is cartel cleaner Mateo Reyes, and prosecutor Sofia Navarro’s story line. THE CLEANER’S CAPTIVE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Mateo and Sofia) THE CLEANER’S CAPTIVE follows in the wake of the guilty verdict of Alejandro Reyes. As the prosecutor, Sofia Navarro is both pleased and worried when word comes down she has been targeted by the Vega Cartel. A few days pass before our heroine becomes the captive of Mateo Reyes, the Vega Cartel cleaner, and the man with whom Sofia will fall in love. Determined to make Sofia changer her mind, or prove his brother’s innocence, Mateo discovers all is not as it appears to be. Walking away is not an option, an option that would place a target on both of their backs, therefore our couple devise a plan in the hopes are gaining their freedom.

The world building focuses on uncovering the truth: from the FBI investigation to the reality of years of lies and deception, Mateo must come to terms with what happened and why, as Sofia reveals the truth, while breaking down a bond between once loving brothers.

The relationship between Mateo and Sofia begins as jailer and captive but will quickly turn into frenemies as our couple must work together in an effort to uncover the truth. Mateo struggles with years of secrets and lies, while Sofia finds herself pulled into the aura that is our story line hero. The $ex scenes are passionate and emotional without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are interesting and desperate. We are introduced to Carte middle man Diega Vega, Mateo’s brother Alejandro Reyes: and FBI Special Agent Jon Baker.

THE CLEANER’S CAPTIVE is a fast paced story of secrets and lies, betrayal and heart break; power and control, family and trickery, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is intriguing, dramatic and dark; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy