She was a hacker sought out by mafia gangs and Luca Santoro was finally able to get his hands on her where she worked as a hostess to cover up her hacker identity. "You're just a mere pawn in my game, Ash Vega." "I am Astrid, no longer Ash Vega. Get it straight, Don Santoro." As they both went deeper and deeper into the darkness lurking, they developed a relationship they couldn't define. But she was good with codes, she could break the codes in his heart to define what they were. The more valuable an asset, the more it is sought for in the underground world. More giants rose in order to claim the valuable one Luca Santoro possesed. Will he be able to protect her?
Astrid's POV
The music boomed in the entire room, bringing the entire place alive. The Nexus was alive much more than usual tonight. The neon lights, the laughter, clinking of glass and the stench of smoke in the air combined to create the perfect illusion for safety but we all knew better. The safety here was just an illusion.
I weaved through the crowd while balancing a tray on one hand and offering flirtatious smile to the men I passed. Although I was trying to keep a low profile here, my beauty and service was one thing that couldn't be escaped.
The tight black dress hugged my curves in order to bring out my curves and keep the men's eyes on me in order to serve them well and I didn't mind it at all. This place was a cesspool of shady deals and dangerous people, but it was also my sanctuary.
Some may say it was a strange place to hide considering the dangerous people and all, but for me, it was perfect. No one ever looked twice at the hostess who seemed to be focused on getting her tips to notice anything else.
"Astrid, VIP table next." My supervisor ordered me through the earbuds in our ears and I hummed before heading towards the VIP tables for the side.
Tonight was a bit different though. I knew everyone who visited the clubs from time to time and those who didn't but one of them stood out today as the air around him did too. The entire atmosphere shifted as people subtly turned their heads and conversations turned into murmurs as he moved through the crowd, looking sleek and dangerous.
Even if I didn't know who he was, I would have recognized the power oozing off him in a scary manner.
Luca Santoro.
The name was whispered in the darkest part of the city, spoken with equal fear and respect. He was the kind of man mothers warn their daughters about, the kind that if you crossed his path, it spelt instant death. And he was here, at Nexus. As someone who knew he wouldn't be here without a reason, I had a very unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Men like Luca never frequent clubs like this unless they are looking for something of high value and I hated the way my curiosity was drawing me in. In anything except 'that' my curiosity never leads me somewhere fun.
"VIP table F, Astrid." My supervisor said again and that was when I noticed he sat at the table. Do I seriously have to be the one to serve a scary looking man like that?
He spotted me even before I could reach the table, his dark eyes locking into mine with precision. Like an hunter locking on its prey. My pulse quickened but I kept my expression neutral, forcing a smile as I approached the table he was seated, flanked by two of his men. They were as imposing as he was and wasn't even trying to soften their menace.
"Good evening." I said, my voice light and smooth. "Can I get you three anything?"
He didn't answer right away. He just let his gaze travel slowly up and down my body, assessing me like I was some merchandise he was considering buying. I fought the urge to shiver under his gaze, trying to keep my hostess facade.
"What's your name?" He finally asked, his voice low and smooth and I could almost ear it echo.
I hesitated just for a fraction a second, before answering. "Astrid."
His lips slowly curved up into a dangerous smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Astrid. A pretty name for a pretty face." He leaned back in his seat, his gaze not leaving mine. "I've heard you're good with computers, Ash Vega."
My heart skipped a beat but I kept my expression neutral. "I think you've got the wrong person, sir. I'm Astrid and I'm just a hostess here."
His smile widened but I could feel the lack of warmth in it. It was more of a deadly smile than a soothing one. "You see, I've been looking for someone with a particular set of skills and that led me to Ash Vega. Unfortunately, no one has heard from her over the past year and then my lead pointed me here. To you."
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my smile on. This was bad, very bad. I thought I've been able to keep a low profile all this while but they could still find me if they wanted to? "I think you've been misinformed. I know nothing about computers."
"Is that so?" He tilted his head, as if considering my words but the glint of the predator in his eyes remained which told me he didn't believe a word I was saying.
If Luca Santoro was looking for me of all people, it meant he knew a lot about me. And for someone who was on top of the food chain as him to come down here looking for me, I knew I couldn't escape whatever it was he came here for but I had to try my luck.
"You're the one I'm looking for and you are going to work for me." He finally said after leaning forward, his elbow on the table.
"I'm sorry. I'm not interested." I replied and at that instant, his smile vanished, replaced with a cold determination and I knew deep down that I've done it.
"You don't have a choice, sweetheart."
"You're mistaken. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other customers to attend to." I turned to leave, but one of his men stood in my way, his expression blank but threatening. I swallowed hard, looking back at Luca who was watching me with the same gaze.
"I'm not in the habit of repeating myself." He said softly. "You are coming with me, Ash. One way or another."
Panic surged through me but I was trying my best to keep calm. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
He was quiet for a few seconds before letting out a sigh as if disappointed. "I was hoping you'd see reason but I guess I was wrong." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small vial. I've seen the vial quite a few times to not recognise it. "But I guess we'll have to do it the hard way."
Before I could react, he was on me in a swift second. I took a step back, but it was too late. His hand clamped down on my arm as he pressed the vial against my lips. The liquid was bitter, sliding my throat before I could split it out.
"What did you–" My voice slurred, the room spinning as the liquid started to take effect. I was right, he had drugged me.
After a one-night stand with Gavin Russell, the Powerful and cold alpha CEO, Iris Green was smitten and she thought there could be something between them after realizing they were fated mates. Her hopes were crushed by his harsh words, "I don't eat the same food twice." Broken, she returned to her city to manage her family business but soon realized that a seed had been planted. Giving birth to a set of twins, she could not endure raising them alone, when they looked exactly like him. She sent one of them to Gavin with a note, "Dessert after supper." Gavin frowned when he received the parcel, from his son. He sent people to fetch that blondie but it was as if she disappeared from the face of the earth. Of course, the Green family was mysterious and she was the new head of the family. She only gets seen whenever she wants to be.
Mistaken for a runaway bride, Mildred's ordinary life is shattered when she's forced to marry the Alpha King. Trapped in a castle of secrets, she's a pawn in a deadly game she doesn't understand. When danger strikes, Mildred must face her greatest fear to save the kingdom and the heart of a king who never wanted to love her. Will their bond be their undoing, or will it be the key to their survival?
Ava had been scarred by her past relationship and had sworn off men for two long years. However, her best friend convinced her to attend a masked party, where she met a mysterious stranger. They shared a night of passion, but Ava soon discovered that she was pregnant and had no clue who the father was. Despite her best efforts, Ava was unable to locate the man, and decided to raise the child alone. 2 years later, fate intervened, and Ava and the mysterious man were brought together once again. But their reunion was fraught with obstacles, including the disapproval of Ethan's wealthy and influential mother, who believed Ava was not good enough for her son. Would they be able to overcome their differences and build a life together, or would their relationship crumble under the intense pressure and scrutiny?
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
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?"
Five years ago, Alessia La Rosa's life took a drastic turn when, suffering from memory loss, she wed to Dominic Carter under her grandfather's mysterious arrangement. But their marriage was a facade, bringing her only humiliation and heartache as Dominic showed no love, and she couldn't conceive. Upon discovering Dominic's infidelity, Alessia sought liberation through divorce. Yet, fate had more in store for her. Five years later, spurred by an anonymous email hinting at her lost child's whereabouts, she returns to the city with her twin babies in tow, determined to uncover the truth. As she navigates the tangled web of her past, a surprising twist awaits. Dominic, upon meeting her again, finds himself drawn to the woman she has become, unaware of her true identity as his former wife. Little does he know, the woman he's falling for is not only his ex-wife but also a powerful Doctor and Master Hacker.
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”