• This story is Book III of The Heir's Secrets [Mafia Games 1] • Ready to take on the world of medicine, Mykaela is forced to confront the secrets of her past while fearing the possibility of losing her best friend Miles, the heir to a wealthy and secretive Italian vampire clan. To keep Mykaela safe, Miles Falco must choose his future and risk it all with the Falcos or find a one-way ticket out of the perilous mafia life he's always hated. Lorenzio Tomassini is a shrewd, wealthy businessman with ties to the Italian mafia. After a death in their clan, he pursues a quiet life in America as his brother faces prison time for orchestrating heinous crimes in Italy. When a public health crisis hits major cities, Mykaela and Lorenzio struggle with the demands of their careers as the wrath of the Italian and Russian mob lurks in the shadows. Will their families' ongoing turf war tear them apart? Or will their love turn into nothing but a marriage of convenience? × GENRES: Contemporary Romance / Mafia / Vampire × MATURE readers only! ◆ cover design: mxian [DISCLAIMER: The original images on the cover are not mine.]
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2022
by M Xian
Scenes, characters, dialogues and events in this story are all invented.
This story contains mature themes, profanity, graphic violence and graphic sexual content not intended for young readers.
Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this story or plagiarism of any kind is prohibited by the law.
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This is the first draft of Book III of The Heir's Secrets, my first mafia romance story.
Like the sequel, this is also written in 1st person narrative. If you've come this far and have read Book I and Book II, thanks a million!
❤ Your continued support and interest in my stories is what keeps me going.
For the new readers' sake, the first few chapters (all free!) contain scenes from the first two books in this mafia romance series to provide some context and background info on the main characters' relationships.
Some chapters in this book contain Italian dialogue [but not pivotal to the plot]. Translations are written inside brackets [ ].
Buckle up, friends! Enjoy Book III!
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Main Characters
• • • • • • • •
• Mykaela "Kel" Leviste Nielsen
• Lorenzio "Enzo" Russo Tomassini
• Maximiliano "Miles" / "Maxim" Cruza Falco
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P R E V I E W
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• E N Z O •
After decades of living with my family's dark secrets, I settled with the fact that a future with her just isn't possible. Nothing but a selfish wish.
Yet I held onto hope. No matter what they all thought, no one else in this world could fill this dull, hopeless void I've tried to accept as my fate for being a Tomassini.
The first time we kissed, I knew I was done for. She's my kryptonite.
It's almost insane. How much I want her. How much I miss her. How much she makes me wish for a better future for us.
I knew forever was too much to ask--I didn't need to hear why. Besides her stubborn feelings for her best friend, I always knew she wouldn't stay. And I don't blame her.
It just pains me to think that the only woman I ever wanted this much is the one who could tear my whole family apart.
Falling for the enemy's daughter...
Putting my own brother in prison...
Betraying my flesh and blood...
I broke every single one of the clan's rules.
They all think I'm just a self-centered bastard and Mykaela should keep out of my chaotic life. But I don't care anymore. I just want her.
I would give up everything. Do anything it takes. I'll make her believe in us again. Make her see the whole picture.
I need to make her choose me.
•
• K E L •
We're just not meant to be.
The quiet, normal, happy life I wanted and dreamed for us... It was just that. A dream. Too good to be true.
It's not entirely his fault. My life and priorities were to blame, too. The fact that monogamy wasn't his thing didn't help, either.
Then again I always knew. I should've known better than to give it my all.
My dreams. My heart. My soul. For him, I would've done anything. I was about to put my entire career on hold just to make him happy.
Then other things got in the way. Bigger, messier, life-threatening circumstances. Now it's all clear as day: a real marriage with him--just out of the question.
Yet my broken heart still wants to try. Give it another shot. Test fate and everything else. Idiotic, but, my heart never really listened to logic and common sense. It's no longer a matter of right or wrong.
It's crazy and stupid to take such a huge risk. To challenge everyone and everything telling me to face reality and move on... But I just can't imagine a life without him.
I want Enzo back. I miss him. I need him. Our love deserves another chance.
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• M I L E S •
This world deserves to go down in flames.
I'm no hero by any means. My crimes warrant lifelong punishment, in fact. But these idiots had it coming. There's just one too many selfish, corrupt bastards who refuse to acknowledge right from wrong. Including my family of wealthy crooks.
So I pushed my best friend away. For good. It's time I learned to live without her.
Kel doesn't need me anyway. Not anymore. She needs a better future. A better life. Somewhere far and quieter than mine.
I'm nothing but a disappointment and years of baggage she can do without. A quiet, normal married life in New York suits her better. Being with someone like me would only get her and her family killed.
Or I just need a better shrink to "fix" me and my brain, like Mamma said.
Removing the Tomassinis from the face of the Earth remains one of my priorities. But for Kel's safety and happiness, Lorenzio can stay off my hitlist.
Unless he makes her cry. Or he does some stupid shit that puts her and her family at risk.
We made a deal. I've given him enough chances.
If he breaks his word or her heart, I'd gladly introduce him to his God. My guns won't be necessary. Won't be the first time, either.
I got nothing left to lose. I already sold my soul.
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"He's the love of my life. My white knight. My savior. Until he wasn't anymore." • "I still want her. I can't keep living in this cruel, ruthless world if I can't have her. I'll do anything to get her back." • • • Erian Božic is a successful businessman and underboss wrestling with the demons of his past and living a double life since losing his wife. After spiraling into depression, he meets Dayn, a compassionate young woman who sees him at his worst. Unable to forget Dayn, Erian tracks her down years later, convinced that she's his only chance at a real future. But Dayn knows Erian is a menacing, broken man with ties to violence. When family problems force her to seek help from him, Dayn agrees to give Erian the future he's always wanted. A passionate night together sparks something new, and Dayn agrees to be his wife. But their marriage isn't smooth-sailing at all. A recovering addict, Erian has been busy making money all year, completely oblivious to her plans. He's always ignored their issues. Until one fateful night when Dayn musters up the courage to tell him she wants a divorce. She walks out on him, leaving him shocked to his core. They're better off without each other. They're just not meant to be. She will be safer if she stayed away from him and his wealthy, influential family. Before she could welcome in a new day without him, something forces her back to Erian's house, where Dayn finds him drowning to death in their pool. Is it suicide? Or murder? [ TW: This book includes descriptions of coercion, domestic abuse & violence, and other NSFW content not intended for young readers. ]
He is the son of a mafia boss. She is someone he never expected to meet and fall for, but she complicates his life when her existence becomes a threat to his family's empire. . . . 24-year-old receptionist and college dropout Seraphine "Sephie" Azur meets Dominico Tomassini on her boss' superyacht. Dominico is her secret crush, the heir of an Italian banker and real estate mogul. During a party thrown by the Tomassinis, a violent incident thrusts Seraphine into his family's web of secrets. When Dominico is forced to take Seraphine to Florence to keep an eye on her, he ensures her safety and lends her money while they live together as part of a clandestine agreement. After long, painful months of pining for his love, Seraphine abandons her end of the deal, desperate to find freedom and true love. Will she escape the Tomassini heir's tenacious grip and get her own life back? Or will her stubborn feelings for Dominico keep her trapped in his messy, dangerous life? [Crime / Romance]
• BILLIONAIRE / ROMANCE / MAFIA • 18+ ONLY • They say "Home is where the heart is". Eilyn Han, heiress to a billionaire's empire, would beg to differ. Her artistic, free-spirited nature wouldn't let her fall prey to the allure of corporate greed. But she is still a Han. And no matter what, family comes first. Unfortunate news about her brother forces Eilyn back to Manila. When Axell—her mysterious new escort—decides to take over, his choices thrust her into a perilous web of vengeful mobsters and clan secrets. • A bodyguard by profession, Axell seeks new opportunities as he rebuilds his life in Manila after a messy past. To support his family, he cuts a deal with Mr. Han, a billionaire—a deal that threatens Axell's life and could endanger his family in Britain. When Axell meets the billionaire's daughter for the first time, fate tests their strengths and entwines their paths with a group of thugs out for blood. Will Axell keep her safe? Or will his dark secrets lead to their doom?
After moving back to New York to pursue her medical degree, Mykaela navigates her way through a dangerous web of lies and family secrets while contemplating a long-distance relationship with Miles, her best friend. Maximiliano “Miles” Falco, an artist turned corporate drone, wants a quiet life away from his family of big-time criminals planning to reign all of Italy. He wants the best for Mykaela—but that means pushing her away so he can deal with his own demons and envious mobsters awaiting his family's downfall. Enzo Tomassini is a businessman whose family of billionaires has teamed up with the Falcos to dominate organized crime in Europe. On the verge of death, he meets Mykaela who changes his perspective on where his life is headed, burdening him with a moral dilemma that leaves him questioning his family's choices. Will their chosen paths grant the desires of their hearts? • Genres: Contemporary Romance, Billionaire, Crime, LGBTQIA+ • Rating: 18+ • This story is the sequel to The Heir's Secrets [Mafia Games XI] •
After moving to Italy, Mykaela pursues a modeling career with Miles Falco's help and a newfound sense of normalcy. All seems well and routine until unforeseen circumstances ruin the illusion and force her back to New York. Miles Falco, an artist enjoying the Italian countryside, must choose between the simple life he loves and being successor to a clan of influential businessmen contending for power in all of Europe. Can he escape his predetermined fate? A life of deceit, chaos, and deadly encounters with the mafia? â—† PG-15 â—† Genres: Mafia, Romance, Crime, Mystery â—† cover design: mxian
Jessiah is a make-up artist aspiring to break into the modeling and beauty industry. She moves to LA when she lands a job at one of the biggest production companies in Hollywood. On her first week on the job, she meets Jenson Ross, a big-deal actor and director with a dark secret only a privileged few know about. × Genres: Contemporary Romance, Werewolf, Crime, Drama × Rating: PG-15 EXCERPT: EXCERPT from BOOK I _ _ _ "Dollface," he murmured with a little smirk. Now his hand gripped her forearm. He snickered when she only kept staring, then pulled her closer to hug her. "You're like an antidepressant, in human form." The utter surprise paused her breathing. She couldn't pull away. Her heartbeat sped up when he hugged her tighter. His warm face pressed onto the side of her neck, his hand lightly squeezing her hip. His beard scraped her skin, his thighs touched hers, and she felt like he was kissing her neck. Shit. He was no longer thinking straight. Perhaps unaware of the consequences of his actions. It was moments like this that worsened her intense attraction to him.  The flirty jokes, the easy conversations, the small smiles, his furtive glances, and his unusually sweet gestures lately just convinced her she was definitely in deep trouble. Amid her loud thoughts, he pulled her closer whenever she pulled away. Her breathing grew shallow while she stared into his eyes. "Dammit," he sighed while he gripped her arms. Then his thumb traced the curve of her neck and shoulder, his touch both gentle and eager. "Why are you always so f-cking beautiful?" "Joss—" "What?" he muttered while stroking her cheek. He wasn't acting drunk or just playing with her. Otherwise he wouldn't let it get this far. "You want me to stop?" _
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?
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
Drugged and deceived, she bore a child amidst tragedy-her son, falsely declared dead at birth. Fueled by the agony, she disappeared, only to return years later with both her daughter and an adopted son, driven by an unyielding desire for revenge against those who had wronged her and her late mother. The plot takes an unexpected twist when the haunting truth surfaces: her son is alive, and his father is a powerful CEO.
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
"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.