Talia has spent her whole life as an escort to get by, yet everything changes on a single job. Kidnapped for a reason she knows not, she is brought face to face with Lorenzo, feared Mafia Don and King of the underworld. Intrigued by her, he takes her as his prized possession and she is all too eager to play the role if it means her survival. If only she could keep her head straight and ignore her deadly attraction to him. An offer comes that she cannot refuse, to act as a spy and put an end to Lorenzo 's reign. She longs for freedom, yet the more she spends around him, her heart begins to falter. When the time comes, will she have the strength to betray him? Or will deeper feelings get in the way. Will she be his lover, or the reason for his destruction?
TALIA
Ugh.
I cringed internally at the feeling of sand-like texture in my mouth. It wasn't a very pleasant experience and I tried to make my limbs move, my eyelids open, but it was much too difficult. My mind wavered between the realms of sleep and reality and I let out a sigh, turning my head to get more comfortable on the bed.
The sounds of a clock ticking drew me in and it echoed all around my head. Time was non-existent, but slowly questions arose in my mind.
Why did my nostrils hurt so much, like I'd just inhaled a bowl of peppers?
What was that scent?
How did I get back home? I couldn't remember for the life of me what had gone on the night before.
"Wake up doll. I don't like being kept waiting."
The sound of that unfamiliar deep male voice hit me. Then, my eyes flew open.
Wincing at the blooming headache, I slowly sat up on the bed, trying to get my limbs to cooperate. It was shaky but I managed it.
The sight that met me was a strange one.
Looking around me, I noticed the blue walls of the room. Black and gold curtains framed windows through which sunlight would stream in to my left, were it daytime. But it was night, and the vibes became even more eerie when I noticed the ticking sound didn't come from any clock I could see, but instead from a man's foot tapping on the ground.
"What the..." I trailed off, realizing I wasn't back in my apartment, or in my boyfriend John's penthouse. "Where am I?"
"You're in my home, doll. Eyes up. Look at me," he ordered, and I found I couldn't disobey.
When I met his eyes, I could see coldness in them. Unfortunately for me, he was deadly handsome, and set my heart beating fast.
That wasn't the only thing I noticed and I let out a gasp of recognition.
It was him. The one who came in with his men guns blazing at the agency.
The memories flashed through my head, memories I had thought- had HOPED were just a dream.
That night, I had arrived from my job escorting an old man who had become a regular of mine to the opera of all places. Still wearing an expensive evening gown which I had to rent, I went to my boss Ludovic's office to collect my nightly pay, preparing myself mentally for his shenanigans when he unfailingly tried to get me to sleep with him.
Being an escort wasn't what I wanted in life, but I had grown up poor. I had few opportunities in life, and when I couldn't get a call back from the numerous temp agencies I applied to at 17, I turned to this work to get ahead in life.
Before I could knock on Ludovic's door that night though, something happened.
The escort agency was suddenly under siege as screams and gunshots filled the air. Before I knew what was happening-
A hand gripped my chin and forced my head up, and I was pulled back into reality as the firmness of the hand didn't leave me alone. I was left staring into the most beautiful yet dangerous eyes I had ever seen.
"I believe I told you to look at me, doll. Don't test my patience," he hissed and I swallowed, trying to find courage to speak, to tell him anything. But I couldn't.
My tongue leaden in my mouth, I felt his hand stroke my cheek.
"Do you know who I am?" He asked in a much calmer voice, and I shook my head in response. "Let's just say I'm one of those men you don't fuck around with, doll. Lorenzo Gallieni."
My heart skipped. I'd heard of that name but only in stories. There was NO one who didn't know of Lorenzo or the Gallieni Mafia in this part of the world. This city was HIS, and he was the Don to steer clear of, one of the most feared with even the police and military in his pockets.
What did someone like him want with someone like me? I was nothing, just a mere escort trying to live.
"You see," Lorenzo continued, still stroking my cheek as I trembled. "Your boss, Ludovic's been owing me quite a sum. Five hundred thousand dollars, to be exact. And he has failed for five fucking months to pay me back. Now I'm sure you know where you come in."
My body broke out in hives. The Gallieni Mafia weren't one to take prisoners. What did my stupid boss' debts have to do with ME? Why did I have to be involved in this?
"N-No," my eyes were watery and I sniffed as my voice broke. "Please, I don't know anything about this. Please just let me go-"
His thumb covered my lip and I couldn't finish the sentence. His hands were still so gentle, yet his eyes were so cold that it left me shivering.
"Your boss has asked me to take whatever I fucking want to clear his debts. So I have chosen. And he was glad to give you to me, among other things."
No.
My eyes widened and tears rolled down my cheeks. I couldn't believe my ears.
Suddenly Lorenzo released my cheek and retracted his hand, standing to his feet. Then, without warning, he tossed something at me, and I flinched when it landed on the mattress, right beside me.
It was a dress, I could see the spaghetti straps and lace trim, it's silky sheen drawing my eyes to take it in.
"Get dressed," he ordered. Only then did I find it in me to speak.
"I have nothing to do with this. I can't be involved. I'm not the one owing you money. Ludovic-"
"Ludovic is dead."
Those words were delivered with gravel to his voice. The pit at the bottom of my stomach became heavier with terror filling my veins.
"And you will be careful to not end up the same way, doll. Get dressed, or I will make you."
...
Betrayed By One Now Wanted by Four Men! His Betrayal! On the dawn of her wedding day, Ember's life is thrown upside down as she is falsely accused of being behind the death of the Alpha, but while in prison, she discovers that her mate, alongside her best friend, had planned all this out to get rid of her and her unborn child. Her Second Chance! Upon escaping as a way to protect her children, she is soon caught by her raging mate; on her knees. A shot rings out, causing her to let out a scream, clenching her tummy before missing a step and falling down the cliff. For the sake of her kids, she begs to be saved. Her prayers but in the form of her second-chance mates...The rumored, feared, and ruthless Lycan Kings of the south. Her Revenge! It almost seemed like it was her second chance to make the man that had caused her pain bleed...Seeing that the Grey brothers, her second chance mates, will set the world ablaze for a mere scratch on their mate, she soon becomes an unbeatable force...One whose mission was to ruin Bloodhound Pack...she wouldn't heed straight on but rather start from the most minor factor and pull her strings. *** Two Lycan kings with a despicable past that would make anyone normal run far away and several maniac exes-the man who had attempted to kill her. A stranger appears from nowhere, claiming he was betrothed to her, and also holds the key to unlocking a part of her that was lost a long time ago. Vowing not to let the fates run her life, will she be able to make the right decision before it ruins other lives? Including hers?
Eveyln White was used to living a double life - college student by day at the top of her class, mousy and introverted, and a bombshell stripper by night only known as Eve. Things all come to a head when her bouncer boyfriend, Charlie, angers a patron of the club, who turns out to be one of the most dangerous men in the world, Mafia Boss Antonio Bernoti.
Her mate’s violent rejection, an unintentional confession from her parents and the shame from the well spread rumour decides Iris’fate in one night. She was going to jump off a cliff, an end to a life destined to be long suffering mixed with violent shame. But what happens when her supposed death opens doors that some individuals preferred closed and what happens when circumstances and fate place her in a position that she eventually needed to be saved from. A choice between the life she knew with a man who despised her or a life with the man who had alot of secrets. A death she didn’t bargain for, a reunion she didn’t see coming… She was supposed to be dead, that was the plan but what if some people took it personally?
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
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?"
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
"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?
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.