Quinn Astor, the daughted of the Astor family, is forced into an arranged marriage because of her greedy, money loving mother, and her drunken, self-loathing father. As part of a noble, rich family, it is "normal." Jake Lannister is the last person that any family wants to marry, but in order to make the deal between the families, Quinn must marry him. He was a lowlife, or so they say. However, Jake has his own secrets.
"Quinn, darling," Olivia sighed. She was more focused on herself in her hand-held mirror, applying lipstick. She lay across the sofa, making sure there was no room for anyone else to sit. Quinn stood in front of her mother and father, tears running down her face. 'This cannot be happening!' Quinn thought to herself.
Her father, Ben Astor, sat next to Olivia in his fancy, antique chair, staring at the T.V. He had a crystal glass with whiskey in one hand, and a cigar in the other. He looked over at his daughter, his glasses at the end of his nose. He took a long drag of the cigar, letting it out with one big huff.
"Quinn," Ben coughed. "We are doing this for your own good," he continued, before he said under his breath, "And for the company, and your mother's selfishness with money." His gaze went back to the T.V., leaving the rest of the conversation between Olivia and her.
Olivia finally smacked her lips, snapping the mirror shut with her hand. She then turned her head towards Quinn. To her, her daughter in front of her was a pathetic sight to see. She scoffed at the sight.
"Darling, you must marry Jake Lannister. He is a good-" Olivia stopped herself, midsentence. She was trying to think of things to say that was good that they had heard about Jake Lannister. The Lannister's were one of the most powerful and richest families in the city, Sisco.
"Mom, Dad, please! I just graduated from college! I want to live my own life, find my own relationships, make friends!" Quinn pleaded with her parents, hoping that somehow, they can try and support her, for once. "I haven't even got to get into a career yet."
Olivia's gaze was as if she was bored with the conversation. She then whipped her hand up in the air and tilted her head away.
"No matter, you are getting married at the end of the week and that is final!" She then gave a side look towards Quinn and smiled.
"Tell me why!" Quinn yelled. She already knew why, she just wanted to hear it from them and if they told the truth. Quinn felt that she was being targeted, like always. Her parents never liked Quinn at all. They loathed the day that they had her. Quinn's brother, Lucas, was the favorite of the family. He was all the Astor family wanted; a handsome, smart man, who was next in line in becoming the CEO of the Astor's company. Olivia and Ben only wanted one child; however, Olivia became pregnant with Quinn, and they hated the day since. They felt that she would take too much pride and joy away from their son, Lucas. Quinn has always been tossed aside, and never given the love and affection that her brother did.
Olivia glared at Quinn, wondering why she would ask a stupid question. Ben finally looked over at Quinn again, taking a gulp of his whiskey.
"Quinn, they are wanting to help us with our company. In exchange, they wanted you to marry their youngest son, who has yet to marry." Ben spoke, sternly. "And also, because your mother wants and needs more money." He burped out as his gaze went back to the T.V. once more. He took another drag of the cigar, ashes falling on top of his big, round belly.
Olivia looked over at her husband in disgust. They never loved each other, either. Their marriage was also an arranged marriage.
"Darling, it is better this way, it will be good for you!" Olivia clasped her hands together as she looked over at Quinn. When she realized that Quinn wasn't going to change her mood about it, her smile turned into a stern look.
"Obviously, your father or I didn't raise you right, and you have forgotten that we are noble, powerful, and rich families who tend to make arranged marriages, more so than you go off and marrying some lowlife." Olivia finally cut the crap with her innocence.
"Jake Lannister is no better than a lowlife, from what I hear. He's all tatted up, has no stable job, and he lives in the shittiest part of Sisco." Lucas chipped in, walking into the room, and passing Quinn. He gave her a shriveled smirk. "But that sounds like its perfect for Quinn!"
Lucas wore his leisurely business suit, his brown hair was slicked back, and he wore a luxury watch. As he walked into the living room, Olivia held her arms open to him, waiting for his embrace. He then sat down next to her, looking Quinn up and down.
"Why am I being married off before Luke!?" Quinn became furious, with the realization that he hadn't found a suitable bride yet. Besides that, he was the older one of the family!
Ben rolled his eyes before setting them on Quinn.
"We haven't found a suiter who can benefit the company, whereas we have with the Lannister's, but they only have sons." Ben said, irritated at this point. "I don't want to hear it anymore, you're getting married, and that is final!" He then banged his fist against the tea table next to his chair. Quinn didn't flinch, she just stood her ground before leaving towards her room.
"You're gonna love being married to the lowlife!" Lucas yelled behind her, laughing with Olivia.
Quinn hid in her room. Her sight was blurry from her tears, yet headed into the bathroom. When she saw her reflection, she began to criticize and hate herself. It was no stranger to her, the feeling of self-hatred and disgust. Even though she was very thin and petite, she saw herself as fat. In reality, she is beyond words for beauty. She never needed makeup, yet she can't stand her own reflection.
Feeling disgusted with herself, she pulled the razor out of the top drawer next to her sink. She stood there and watched as the blade swiped across her wrists. Blood trickled into the sink. A few slashes more before she sat down on the bathroom floor, letting go of the razor. She steadied her breathing, hoping to calm herself down. She didn't care if the blood got in her long, black hair that draped around herself.
She began to try and look at any bright sides. But she couldn't think of any.
In a post-apocalyptic world, Amni is a warrior, and in her state, a hero and worshipped for what she has done to save the world. But when she meets the man that she falls in love with, she must choose from still being the hero that everyone looks to and depends on to save the world, or if she has to give that up just to be with him.
A sudden twist of fate connected Helena to a prominent and influential person. To onlookers, she appeared as a naive bimbo. In truth, she was a top-tier specialist, shrouded in layers of hidden identities. Charlie declared, āSheās quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and youāre crossing me.ā The elite families, outwitted by Helena's prowess, kept these truths from him. Helena eventually broke free from Charlie, sending him on a frenzied worldwide hunt. To him, she was a bird with dazzling wings, and his goal was to help her reach new heights.Ā
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
What happens when a hook-up gets complicated by a baby? Can she hide the secret from him? Or will he show her how possessive he can be when he learns she's carrying his child? "Seven years ago, I had a one-night stand with my brother's best friend, who also happened to be my lifelong crush. The next day, he vanished leaving me pregnant. Now, I am a single mom raising our son in the same small town. Recently, he returned to attend my brother's wedding and the truth about our son was finally revealed. As he reclaims his place in our lives, the sparks between us reignite. However, danger from his past threatens to shatter our newfound connection. I am torn between my love for him and my fear of getting hurt again, especially now that I have two hearts to protect - our son's and my own."
Sequel to chasing my estranged wife; I want you back. ******** " You promised me!'' I screamed. "You promised that you wouldn't hurt me, you made the vows that you would stand beside me, Ryan, and what did you do? You broke me into smithereens. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. When I said we were done. I meant it!" Falling in love with him had come in a whirlwind, she couldn't account for how exactly it had happened but what she knew was that she didn't want to let go once she was in. For Ryan, when he made a vow, he had meant it, but nothing had told him about marriage, that it wasn't just a bed of roses, but it had thorns in it as well. When secrets piled up between them and vows broken, they had no choice but to let go of each other, but years later, he wanted her back. Like the air he breathed, he chased after her, but she was gone. Left with the remnants of his actions, he is torn between getting her back and damning all consequences or letting go of her and his children, which would it be?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."