Penelope Lorenzo, a woman who'd just lost everything and in utter shambles. She had never imagined that life would bring her to this point. Brayden Giovanni, the big, masked mafia who shouldn't be trifled with. Billionaire by day and Don by night. Thrust in each other's worlds by circumstances beyond their control and some that seemed to be in his control. But with danger lurking from their forgotten pasts, including a serial killer on the loose, choices must be made or consequences abound. What happens when their cocoon is threatened by forces they can't seem to identify? What happens when she leaves after unraveling his secrets and almost gets trafficked? Will she embrace he who would raze the underworld for her or will she leave with the fruit of their passion?
Penelope Lorenzo's POV
"Please help me!" My voice cracked as I dropped to my knees, clutching at the hem of a nurse's scrubs. "Please, I'm begging you! My father... he's dying! Do something!"
The nurse took a hesitant step back, her face full of pity but devoid of action to render any sort of help. "Miss, I-I'm so sorry. There's nothing-"
"There's Nothing?" I screamed at the top of my voice, my voice echoing down the cold hospital hallway. I just didn't care!
"He's having a stroke! A heart attack! Do you understand? My father, He's in pain! You have to save him! He is all I've got, please!" I yelled more on seeing no one was ready to help me out.
"We're doing all we can," another nurse murmured, but her words felt hollow. Her gaze darted away from mine, as if she couldn't bear to look at me.
Was I looking so terrible that everyone kept avoiding my gaze? Why wouldn't they just help me save my father? That's all I'm pleading for!
"No, you're not doing anything!" I yelled and burst into more tears. The tears streamed down my face like raindrops.
"Please! Someone help him! You've got to help him!" I turned to the room full of medical staff, their white coats and scrubs blurring together. "Why are you all just standing there? Just do something! Anything at all, is fine!"
"Miss, please calm down," a young male doctor said, stepping forward cautiously. "Crying this much isn't going to help matters. Rather, you're hurting yourself! We understand your distress, but the specialists are in surgery, and-"
"I don't fucking care about your surgery!" I cut him off, slamming my fists on the cold tile floor. "My father is in a life and death situation! He is dying right now! Please, I'll do anything! Just save him!"
My cries turned into deep, heaving sobs as I pressed my forehead to the ground. My body shook violently, the weight of helplessness crushing me. "He is all I have," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Please, don't let him die..."
The hallway grew silent, save for my broken sobs. For a moment, I thought no one would come forward.
Then, a deep, calm voice broke through the tension. "Hey, Miss."
I looked up to see an elderly doctor stepping out of one of the rooms. His silver hair glinted under the fluorescent lights, and his eyes bore into mine. He adjusted the glasses on his nose as he crouched down to my level.
"I'm Dr. Harry," he said softly. "I'll do everything in my power to save your father."
A gasp escaped my lips. "Y-you will?" I clutched his hand tightly, desperation laced in my grip.
He nodded. "Yes. But there's one condition."
"Anything," I blurted out, my voice hoarse. "I'll do anything!"
"You'll need to pay the deposit first," he said, his tone gentle but stern.
The word 'deposit' hit me like a punch to the stomach. My chest tightened as I stared at him, wide-eyed. "How much is the deposit?"
"Five thousand dollars," the nurse beside him interjected, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Five thousand... what!" I repeated, my voice trailing off. My fingers slackened off his hand as my mind raced. "I don't-I don't have that kind of money!"
Dr. Harry placed a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, but it's hospital policy. Without the deposit, I can't proceed. Go find the money. I'll do my best to stabilize him while you're gone."
My lips trembled as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.
"Thank you," I choked out, bowing my head. "Thank you so much! I promise, I'll get it."
I staggered to my feet, wiping my tears with trembling hands.
My legs felt like they were made of lead as I ran down the hospital corridor. The sound of my labored breaths echoed around me.
"Where do I find five thousand dollars?" I whispered to myself, my voice shaking. "Who do I even contact?"
As I rounded a corner, the strap of my right slipper snapped. "No, no, no!" I cried out, stumbling forward. My knee hit the ground with a sickening thud.
Blood pooled beneath me, but I didn't care. "Get up," I muttered, forcing myself to stand. "Keep moving."
"Miss, are you okay?" a nurse called out, rushing toward me.
"I'm fine!" I snapped, dragging my injured leg as I pushed forward.
"Miss, wait! You're bleeding!"
"I don't care!" I screamed over my shoulder, my voice cracking.
Pain shot through my leg with every step, but I refused to stop.
As I ran, I bumped into a hospital bed parked at a side in the hallway. The sharp metal edge jabbed into my ribs, knocking the air out of me.
"Arghh!" I cried out, clutching my side. Warm blood trickled down my arm from where the bed had scraped my skin.
"Miss, stop! You're hurt!"
"Leave me alone!" I yelled, tears blinding my vision.
The hospital exit loomed ahead. I stumbled toward it, my heart hammering in my chest.
The cool evening air hit my face as I burst outside. The world around me was chaotic-cars honking, people shouting-but it all felt distant. My only focus was getting across the road to find help.
"Hey, stop right there!" someone shouted behind me, but I didn't look back.
Why should I spare them a glance? Were they going to help me sort out my father's hospital bill?
I stepped off the curb, my swollen eyes fixed on the opposite side of the street.
The screech of tires filled my ears, but it was already too late.
The car slammed into me with a force that sent my body flying through the air.
Time seemed to freeze as I twisted and tumbled, my arms flailing helplessly. Pain exploded in every part of my body when I hit the ground.
The sound of car doors slamming and people shouting faded into the background. My vision blurred, the edges darkening.
And then, everything went black.
Blurb: Nina Morrison's life is a relentless struggle, torn between caring for her bedridden father and enduring her stepfamily's cruelty. But her world is shattered when a near-fatal encounter with Lucien Gray-the ruthless, untouchable head of a global consortium-pulls her into a nightmare of possession. Lucien is captivated by Nina's fiery defiance, determined to possess her at any cost. But Nina's will to rebuild herself is stronger than his obsession. As their paths collide, desire and revenge intertwine, forcing them to confront the darkness within themselves. Can Nina reclaim her life? Will Lucien's obsession destroy them both, or will they truly fall in love and live happily ever after?
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation. Pierce is Kelly’s first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart. Lexi Gilbert. The woman Pierce could never forget even if he had already been arranged to marry Kelly. *** Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned. She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby. *** Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself. But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on? To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his. *** Her Prince Charming vs. Her Devil Stepbrother? How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate?
"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.