"You took everything from me!" I yelled, the gun shaking in my hands. He didn't yield. Instead, he seized my trembling hands, forcibly redirecting the muzzle to his forehead. His tone, dangerously calm, "Do it." "You think I won't?" I retorted. "Go ahead. Pull the trigger, Miss Russel. But remember, you'll lose the last bit of control you think you have." It was one night, one gunshot, and millions of shattered dreams. In one night, I, Dr. Alina Russell, a nobody, lost the love of my life at the hands of his own brother, Adrian Salvatore. He took away everything I owned and was going to. He took away my unborn child. Not only this, but he proved every belief of mine wrong: that my fiancé was not a mere CEO, but he was the face of one of the most powerful Mafia families in North America; that now I was the unwilling participant in their Mafia Empire; that now I am the possession of Adrian Salvatore; for him to decide whether to kill me or keep me safe.
I heard it again-the beeping, echoing from the machine. My gaze shifted to the lady in scrubs, her expression filled with concern. It could be the news she held or perhaps this unknown room itself.
"Miss Russel," she uttered, her tone unsure, causing my stomach to tighten.
"Yes?" I inquired, a sense of unease settling in.
Something felt off, terribly wrong.
Her trembling hand rested on my shoulder. "I'm sorry to tell you, Miss Russel. You've lost your child."
The words hit me like a punch to the heart.
What?
I didn't have the chance to react to what she just said when ...
Suddenly, the door of the room burst open, and HE walked in, his arctic eyes as cold as ever, devoid of any emotion.
"Leave," he spoke, waving his hand.
As the nurse quietly exited the room, I found myself recalling everything.
Second by second, moment by moment.
Amid THIS tragic moment, a realization struck me.
Every story has a villain, and in mine, I never imagined that the villain would be none other than the brother of my to-be-fiancé.
I remember the precise moment when my world fell apart. It was the moment when everything crumbled, leaving me feeling lost and unsure of where I belonged.
It all began when my boyfriend's brother aimed a gun at him.
Michael Salvatore and I had been dating for a year, every day, every hour, and every second of my life in this last year after losing my parents in a car crash, he was there for me. He was that pure soul who stood by me, no it'd be least to say that, he didn't just stand; he carried me all the way. He carried me through my loss, through my pain; and I couldn't just love him enough for that.
And here we were, in his lake house where we first kissed.
Ever noticed those photos where everything fades away, leaving only the person in sharp focus?
Right now, that was him.
Every bit of the surroundings melted into a blur as my attention fixated on him. His sleek raven hair, those inviting warm eyes, and the gentle curve of his smile-all crystal clear. And then there it was, a tiny blue velvet box cradled in his hand.
"What..." a gasp escaped my lips as I watched him gracefully drop to one knee.
"Dr. Alina Russel," he uttered, his eyes shining, and mine, welling up with tears.
Could this really be happening?
Oh my gosh!
"You've been my saving grace, bringing light to the darkest corners of my heart," he said, squeezing my hand for reassurance, "- and I can't hold back any longer. I want you to be mine for the rest of our lives."
He opened the box, unveiling a stunning diamond ring. Taking it out, he held it up in front of me.
Overwhelmed, I instinctively stepped back, my hands flying to cover my mouth.
"Oh, Michael..."
He extended his hand toward me, his eyes searching mine intensely. "Alina Russel," he uttered with a hint of nervousness, "Will you marry... Adrian?"
Confused, I furrowed my brows. "What?" I chuckled, not expecting such a question.
"Adrian, what's going on?" Michael rose, his gaze fixed behind me.
I spun around, only to find Adrian, Michael's younger brother, aiming a gun in our direction. The smile that adorned my face just
moments ago vanished.
My body froze with fear.
"Adrian, what the heck are you doing?" I demanded, "Where did you get this gun?" I asked, fear creeping into my voice.
Michael moved silently from behind me and took his place beside me. "Brother? Is this some kind of sick joke?" he chuckled nervously.
"This is on you, Mike," Adrian's voice was steely, accusing. "YOU did this!"
"Adrian, just lower the damn gun, whatever's eating at you," I urged, stepping towards Adrian, desperation in my voice. "You and Mike can sort this out."
"STAY BACK!"
He forcefully shoved me away.
"Adrian! What the hell?!" Michael shouted, sprinting towards me. He caught me just in time.
Grabbing Michael by the collar, Adrian snarled, "You thought I wouldn't find out?!" and flung him harshly onto the ground.
"I can explain, I-"
BAM!
A sudden explosion shattered the silence, freezing time in its tracks. My heart pounded, and my limbs quivered in shock as the deafening gunshot reverberated through the air.
What just happened?
Is this some nightmare?
Michael's tall figure jerked violently, a cascade of his dark hair falling across his forehead. His charcoal eyes widened in a mix of surprise and pain, and for a moment, just a moment, I thought, this was all a part of his prank.
But when his strong frame crumpled to the unforgiving pavement, a pool of crimson spread around him like a grotesque halo. My breath caught in my throat, and my eyes widened in horror.
Time blurred, and the world became a hazy backdrop as I rushed to his side, my knees hitting the ground with a thud.
"No-no-no ..."
My trembling hands reached for his neck, desperately seeking a pulse, any sign of life. But there was nothing. His body lay cold, his eyes vacant.
He was gone.
"No, no, no, Michael!" I exclaimed, my voice cracking with anguish. I cradled his lifeless form, feeling the warmth draining away as his once vibrant eyes stared into an abyss.
Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I clung to his lifeless frame, my fingers curling around his blood-stained shirt.
"Mike ... baby ... wake up! PLEASE!" I cried desperately, my voice breaking.
But he lay motionless, his eyes fixed in an eternal stare. I felt the weight of his absence settle into my bones, and the pain of loss cut through my heart like a knife.
"MIKE! WAKE UP!"
Suddenly, a cruel grip yanked me away from Michael's side, and I shrieked, "No, let me go! Michael!" My fingers held onto his bloody shirt in a futile attempt to hold on.
Adrian's imposing figure loomed over me, his face devoid of any empathy.
His eyes were cold and unfeeling as he callously declared, "He's gone," his voice dripping with icy detachment.
"Leave me alone, you monster!" I wailed, my fingers desperately clawing at the ground as he forcefully dragged me away.
"Why? Why did you do this?" I screamed, my voice echoing through the desolate space. I thrashed against his unyielding grip, beating my fists against his chest. "He was your brother! Why?!"
But, this monster remained silent, his face cold and unmoved. He continued to pull me away, his stoic demeanor infuriating me even more.
"Answer me! Why?!" I sobbed; my words choked by grief.
He signaled his men to take Michael's lifeless body away, and the sight of them handling his lifeless form intensified the agony within me.
"No, please! Don't take him away! Don't take him away from me!" I pleaded; my voice reduced to desperate sobs.
As they carried Michael away, my world blurred into a haze of pain and disbelief.
Adrian's grip tightened as he restrained my violent outbursts, but I couldn't be contained. "You monster! Why? Just TELL ME!" I screamed.
As my vision blurred, tiny dots appeared in my vision, an unsettling sensation gripped my abdomen. I clutched it tight, but it was as if a profound void had opened within, a weight dropped from the very core of my being, I sensed something slipping away from between my legs – a liquid.
"You killed him ..." my voice came out in labored breaths.
"... killed him ..."
Finally, my vision blurred, and my knees gave way as unconsciousness threatened to consume me. It all felt like a nightmare. I was so happy just a while ago, and in an instant, everything was just gone. The world spun, and I crumbled into the arms of the person who had mercilessly stolen my boyfriend away.
.
.
And just like that, in a single night, I lost not only my future fiancé but also our unborn child. The one responsible for their deaths now stood before me, shamelessly.
Asher's hands balled into fists as he tried to resist the temptation of her nearness. "You're playing a dangerous game, Isabella," he warned. "Am I?" Isabella's voice was low and husky as she pressed herself even closer to him. "Maybe I like danger, Asher. Maybe I like the way you look at me when you're angry." . . After her sister's murder in New York City, Isabella Claire Robbinson is determined to bring the killer to justice, even if it means betraying her best friend Natasha Jackson, and marrying her unsuspecting fiancé, Asher Theodore Jonathan. As Isabella delves deeper into the investigation, Asher starts to question his loyalty to Natasha as he witnesses a side of Isabella he never expected, plunging him into a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Their connection grows stronger, fueled by an intense and forbidden desire that lingers beneath the surface. But as Isabella unravels the truth, she finds herself facing a difficult choice—one that could jeopardize everything. She carries a secret, a revelation that will forever bind her to Asher. Forced to keep her secret hidden, Isabella's life and the life of her most loved one become targets for her enemies. As they navigate the treacherous waters of their forced marriage, Isabella and Asher must confront their pasts, question their loyalties, and determine what they truly want in the future. Will Isabella's pursuit of justice lead her to the killer, or will her own desires and emotions betray her? Can Asher forgive Isabella's betrayal, or will it be too late to salvage their relationship? Amidst the dangerous web of deceit and intrigue, they embark on a desperate search for truth and redemption. Will they find the answers they seek, or will the shadows of their pasts consume them both? Join the journey of Asher and Isabella in 'Deadly Desire'; where lust and revenge collide.
"Why, little princess? Does my proximity make you nervous?" Asked Zarek, in his velvet voice. Glaring at him, "Your presence suffocates me." Said Crystal, bitterly. "Really," Smirking, Zarek chuckled and said, "You didn't seem to complain last night." Zarek's remark elevated the frustration level in Crystal's head. Grabbing him by the collar, "Don't you dare talk to me like that!" Yelled Crystal. Grabbing her by her waist, pulling her closer, he fiercely said, "And don't YOU dare talk to me like that!" . . . “She was an angel craving chaos, they were the demon seeking peace.” Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that beasts exist, but because they tell us that they can be beaten. For years people believed that beasts don't exist anymore. For years people lived peacefully. Little did they know that it was the calm before the storm as their belief was a lie. One fateful encounter changed a Princess's life completely. It took away all that she had ever known as she was torn between her family, her people who believed she was going to save them and the love of her life, her mate. What happens when destiny plays it cruel game and gives her a chance to choose between her loved ones and mate? Who will she choose? Join the journey of Princess Crystal Rosette Aquislanada in revealing the mysteries, the desires and her true identity.
[Mature Content- 18+] "Why are you making it so difficult?" I screeched at the top of my lungs. God, why does he have to make everything so difficult? "I'm your boss and you're responsible for following my orders. You have no authority to defy me." He snarled; his hands balled into fists. "Are you even listening to your baseless blabbering?" "Shut the hell up!" He roared with pure antagonism and fisted his hand on the glass painting that hung by the wall. I gasped at the sight of glasses shattered into tiny pieces, droplets of blood oozing down his knuckles. His jaw was clenched as he shot daggers into my eyes, not because of the pain that was inflicted by the quick punch, but the remembrance of my betrayal. ------- Mystery. Romance. Deception. It's a famous saying that, hate is a strong emotion- so is love. You can only hate someone you place in high esteem since you care about what they think. Just when Evelyn Williams thought she could bring some light into her miserable life, destiny played its cruel game again, bringing her back to the place where she started. Five years later, she is forced to work with one and only Xavier Blake Knight, the one who remembers how Evelyn Williams has broken his heart. After what she did to him, would she be able to look into his eyes? Unbearable secrets will be revealed with a mixture of irresistible desires. Desires that Evelyn fears would only deepen her wounds, but somehow heal Xavier's.
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
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."
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"