A desperate escape to her childhood home leads Isabella Bennett straight into the hands of Maximo Morelli, the cold and calculating mafia don. Unaware of his true identity, she spends one unforgettable night with him, only to wake up the next morning to find him gone, leaving behind only a cryptic warning note. Despite his attempts to push the night out of his mind, Maximo finds himself consumed by thoughts of Isabella. But when he discovers that her father betrayed the mafia, Maximo takes Isabella captive, vowing to make her life a nightmare. However, as he gets closer to her, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he can't ignore. What starts as hatred evolves into desire, and lust turns into an undeniable passion. Will they surrender to their explosive chemistry? Or will the shadows of the mafia pull them into an inescapable darkness?
Isabella's POV
The night air was crisp, carrying a heavy scent of rain as I hurried down the dimly lit street. My heart pounded in my chest, the rhythmic beat matching the hurried steps of my boots on the pavement. My father's betrayal had shattered everything. I had no one left, and no place to run but back home.
But even my childhood home, a small cottage nestled at the edge of town, felt like a foreign place now. The years I spent away, building a life in the city, seemed like a distant memory. I had fled this town long ago, desperate to escape the ghosts of the past. Yet, here I was, running back to the place that once held the only semblance of safety.
The harsh reality of my situation clawed at me with every step. My father's involvement with the mafia had always been shrouded in secrecy, but it didn't take long for me to uncover the truth. The moment I learned of his dealings, everything changed. The lies, the betrayals, and the secrets he'd kept from me for years. I had been naive to believe I was untouched by his world, but the truth had finally come crashing down. My father's actions had consequences, and now, those consequences had caught up with me.
I reached the gate to my family's estate, the wrought iron bars standing tall and imposing in the darkness. The large mansion loomed in the distance, its windows like hollow eyes, watching me as I approached. It felt suffocating, the weight of it pressing down on my chest. But there was no turning back now.
I unlocked the gate and stepped onto the gravel path that led up to the house. The familiar creak of the front door echoed through the silence as I pushed it open. The house was quiet, too quiet. I hadn't expected a warm welcome, but I hadn't expected this emptiness either.
The hallway stretched out before me, its shadows seeming to grow darker with every step. The place was unchanged, yet everything about it felt alien. I had left behind the comfort of my apartment in the city, the life I had carefully built, to return to this place of memories and regret.
I paused at the bottom of the stairs, the echo of my own breathing the only sound in the house. My heart was still racing, the adrenaline of my escape still coursing through my veins. The news of my father's death had spread quickly, and I knew the mafia would be coming for me. The fact that I was now the last remaining member of the Bennett family made me a target.
What choice did I have? Running away wasn't an option. The mafia didn't just let go of their own, and they certainly didn't let go of the bloodline. The air was thick with danger, and I couldn't outrun it forever.
I made my way to the kitchen, hoping for some semblance of comfort, but found nothing but cold, empty counters and an untouched pot of coffee on the stove. My gaze wandered to the window, where the city lights twinkled in the distance, a stark contrast to the stillness of the house. I longed for a simpler time, for the days when I was blissfully unaware of the dangers that surrounded me.
But those days were gone.
The sound of a car engine outside shattered the silence. My pulse quickened. My instincts told me to hide, to run, but my feet remained rooted to the floor. The front door creaked open, and the shadow of a tall figure filled the doorway.
"Isabella Bennett," the voice was low, commanding, and sent a chill running down my spine.
I didn't have to look to know who it was. My breath caught in my throat as I turned to face him.
Maximo Morelli.
The last person I ever expected to see again.
His cold, calculating eyes met mine, and for a moment, I felt a flash of panic. My heart skipped a beat, and I had to swallow the lump in my throat. He was the kind of man who made people tremble just by walking into a room, and I wasn't immune to the fear he instilled in others.
His gaze lingered on me, and I could feel the weight of his scrutiny. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken tension.
"I didn't expect you to come back here," he said, his voice laced with amusement.
I stood frozen in place, my mind racing. What was he doing here? How had he found me? The last time I had seen Maximo had been an unforgettable night, one that I had tried to erase from my memory. One that had left me breathless and confused, questioning everything I knew about myself.
He stepped closer, his footsteps echoing in the stillness of the house. The air seemed to grow heavier with each movement he made.
"You thought you could hide?" His voice was soft, but the menace in it was clear. "You think your father's actions won't catch up to you? You really don't understand, do you?"
I tried to back away, but my body felt like it was frozen in place. His gaze was unrelenting, and I knew that I had nowhere to run.
"You know what your father did, don't you?" He took another step closer, his towering presence looming over me. "He betrayed us. He thought he could get away with it. But there's no escape. Not for him, and not for you."
I swallowed hard, fighting the tremor in my voice. "I didn't have anything to do with it," I said, my words coming out in a rush. "I don't know anything about what he did. I-"
"You're his daughter. You're just as guilty as he was," Maximo cut me off, his tone sharp as a knife. "And now you're going to pay for his sins."
I wanted to argue, to defend myself, but the words wouldn't come. The fear gnawed at me, and I could feel the weight of the situation settling over me like a suffocating blanket.
Maximo took another step closer, his body mere inches from mine. The heat from his presence was suffocating, and I could feel my chest tighten with anxiety.
"You think you can escape this world?" he asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You think you can just walk away from the mafia and live a quiet life? You're part of this now, Isabella. Whether you like it or not."
I looked up at him, my breath shallow. "I don't want any part of this," I said, my voice shaking with fear. "I just want to be left alone."
Maximo studied me for a long moment, his gaze intense. "You're not getting away that easily," he finally said, his voice low and ominous. "You're mine now. And there's nothing you can do to change that."
My heart raced, panic clawing at my chest as I took a step back. I didn't know what he was going to do, but the look in his eyes told me I was in more danger than I had ever imagined.
Sophia Morelli has lived a life of luxury, but it's a luxury tainted by the shadow of her family's mafia connections. Trapped in a gilded cage, she yearns for freedom from the violence and deceit that surround her. But when her father, the head of the Morelli crime family, arranges her engagement to a man she despises, her life takes a dark turn. Dante Rossi, the ruthless and calculating head of a rival mafia family, is a man who commands respect and fear. He's spent years building his empire and erasing any weakness, but everything changes when he's ordered to protect Sophia from the escalating threats to her life. What starts as a reluctant duty soon turns into a dangerous game of passion and power.
Born under the Blood Moon, Sarah Law has always felt the curse in her veins- a mark of ancient magic, feared by her pack and hunted by those who know the prophecy. When her pack betrays her on her eighteenth birthday, offering her as a sacrifice to the wild Lycans, Sarah expects death. What she finds instead is him. Damien Knights, the exiled Lycan King, scarred by war and bound by vengeance, saves her for reasons even he doesn't understand. She's the key to lifting the curse that plagues his people... but also the one who could destroy him. As enemies close in, secrets unravel, and the full extent of Sarah's power awakens, a bond forms between the cursed girl and the broken king- one forged by blood, fate, and a darkness neither of them can escape.
When Tony Anderson returns to the estate he once called home, it's not to reclaim the billion-dollar family legacy- it's to destroy the man who stole everything from him: his own father. But with his inheritance comes more than cold marble halls and corporate dominance. It comes with Sandy Taylor- the woman he once loved, now engaged to his half-brother. As Tony uncovers the secrets buried deep in the Anderson dynasty, one truth becomes clear: he wasn't meant to be the heir... but he's the only one ruthless enough to carry the name.
Lena Matthews never expected her life to turn upside down when her mother remarried, bringing along her new stepbrother, Jace Sullivan. Jace, with his smoldering good looks and rebellious attitude, is everything Lena never wanted in a step-sibling. The tension between them is palpable, but Lena keeps her distance, determined to ignore the undeniable chemistry that grows between them. However, when a shared family secret emerges, everything changes. Lena is thrust into a whirlwind of emotions, betrayal, and temptation as the truth unravels. Jace, who has always been the bad boy with a troubled past, becomes her unexpected protector. As they navigate their newfound connection, Lena must decide whether to risk it all for a forbidden love that threatens to tear their family apart or walk away before it's too late.
Violet Kensington is a woman on a mission. After years of working her way up in the corporate world, she's finally earned a coveted position at the prestigious Westbrook Industries-a company led by the enigmatic and infuriatingly handsome billionaire, Liam Westbrook. With his cold demeanor and reputation for ruthless decision-making, Liam is nothing like the man she expected to meet. But there's more to Liam than meets the eye, and Violet soon finds herself tangled in a forbidden affair that threatens to derail her career. Liam Westbrook, the elusive CEO of Westbrook Industries, has long since sworn off love. His life is built on control, and he's not about to let a fiery intern like Violet disrupt his carefully constructed world. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for him to ignore the undeniable chemistry between them. As passion flares and boundaries blur, secrets from Liam's past begin to surface-secrets that could destroy everything, including the fragile relationship they've built.
For centuries, the Ashbane and Nightclaw packs have been locked in a brutal feud soaked in blood and vengeance. Elle Davenport, daughter of the Ashbane Beta, was raised to hate the Nightclaws-especially their ruthless Alpha, Brandon Osgood. So when she's taken hostage during a border ambush, she expects death... not the glowing mark of the mate bond binding her to her sworn enemy. Brandon doesn't want a mate-especially not her. But the bond is unbreakable, and something darker than war is stirring in the woods. Rogue packs are rising, alliances are shifting, and an ancient prophecy foretells a union that could either save or doom them all. Now, bound by fate and hunted by forces that want them dead, Elle and Brandon must choose: destroy each other... or fight side by side. Love was never part of the war. But the moon has other plans.
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."
"I want a divorce!" Ryan demanded, despite the fact that he had cheated on her with his ex. ~ Serena is no longer the quiet, romantic lady Ryan Winters married and divorced five years ago. Now the CEO of Rocky's Designs, she is bright, unwavering, and unapologetic about her independence-a far cry from the woman Ryan remembers. When fate brings them back into one another's lives, Ryan is forced to confront the truth about their past, their newfound hot chemistry, and a surprising revelation; Serena has a daughter who may be his. But Ryan's girlfriend, Kate, isn't prepared to lose him again. She will do whatever it takes to keep Ryan in her grasp-even if it means destroying Serena's life and the corporate empire she has built. What happens when Serena's now peaceful life is being disrupted? Will Serena lose once again or will she seize this billionaire's heart?
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?
The day Raina gave birth should have been the happiest of her life. Instead, it became her worst nightmare. Moments after delivering their twins, Alexander shattered her heart-divorcing her and forcing her to sign away custody of their son, Liam. With nothing but betrayal and heartbreak to her name, Raina disappeared, raising their daughter, Ava, on her own.Years later, fate comes knocking when Liam falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his son, Alexander is forced to seek out the one person he once cast aside. Alexander finds himself face to face with the woman he underestimated, pleading for a second chance-not just for himself, but for their son. But Raina is no longer the same broken woman who once loved him.No longer the woman he left behind. She has carved out a new life-one built on strength, wealth, and a long-buried legacy she expected to uncover.Raina has spent years learning to live without him.The question is... Will she risk reopening old wounds to save the son she never got to love? or has Alexander lost her forever?
"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?"
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!