Breaking the Gladiator by Nicola Rose

Cassian
I’m trained to kill… for the amusement of others. Slave. Fighter. Beast. Emotions are a weakness, so I have none; except anger and hate. All the good ones were beaten and starved out of me long ago. I barely even feel pain anymore.But when she touches me? Feelings thrash to the surface, and in my world those are dangerous. She’s poison, feeding off my rage for her own sick pleasures. I hate her. She keeps finding cracks and opening them up, squeezing herself inside my chest.
She’s going to get me killed.

Livia
I’m Domina of the Atticus ludus, where we train gladiators to compete for victory. Wealthy. Attractive. Powerful husband. It appears I have it all… and I wish I could make myself feel that way. But I’m numb. Too broken to even care. The only time I feel alive is when I’m with my husband’s champion gladiator. My slave. In the arena, and the bedroom. It’s disgusting for a woman of my rank to sleep with a man like him. He’s a dirty, worthless animal. His touch should feel repulsive. His gaze upon me should make my skin crawl. But he’s mine. And I want more.