Valentina Romero's only goal was survival until she unleashed the wrath of a mafia king. Now a prisoner in Matteo Russo's dangerous world, this defiant beauty must decide: submit to his demands or fight for her freedom at all costs. But when she uncovers the scars beneath Matteo's hard exterior, Valentina realizes her heart may be the price of his revenge...and her own salvation. Caught between love and duty, Matteo faces an impossible choice when a shocking betrayal threatens them both. In a world where power is everything, can love prevail? Or will Valentina become one more casualty of Matteo's dark obsession?
Valentina's Pov
"Beautiful, dangerous, innocent. That's exactly what I want." His tone lowered like stone dipped in water. His voice wrapped around me like a cloak.
He wrapped a hand around my neck before yanking me closer to him. His hot breath sent thrills through my body.
His grip got tighter as the string I was wearing was doing very little to cover me up.
My chest heaved and I knew he liked it.
"She's one of our best strippers bosses. You can have her for as long as you want. My hand tried to release the grip he had on his neck.
He looked down, with a very dangerous smirk on his face. I shrunk under his gaze.
"I...I have to perform soon. I'm...I'm next..." I stuttered while he leaned in closer.
"Oh no sweetheart, you're serving me tonight." I yelped when he lifted me so I was hung over his shoulder.
"Mr Russo." I struggled against him. "Please let me go. If you don't I might lose my job." I complained. I heard a loud smack that stilled me. "You just..."
"Behave." He warned. Then we entered a room with him staring at me with hungry eyes.
"Mr. Russo, I signed a no sexual agreement. I believe it's against the rules to sleep with me." I said, but he took both my hands and placed them above my head before he leaned in closer.
"And your father signed a marriage contract for you." He said, causing my eyes to widen.
"He would never." I growled.
"Don't you dare growl at me." His tone lowered to a foreboding one. "If you want to know the truth, you can ask him."
"How do you know my father?" I asked while he chuckled, the sound of it so pleasing to me.
He caressed my thighs. "I know so many things about you." He leaned closer before whispering. "Valentina Alexia Baldini, daughter of Giovanni Ricco Baldini, age nineteen, school attendance history, drop out. Your father knows you're a stripper and wants you married so you can stop."
"Are you stalking me?" I asked with annoyance.
"I'll advise you not to give me that look. I'm not a very kind man, sweetheart." I said.
"Tell my father that he can fuck off with the stupid contract. I never asked for marriage!" I screamed.
He chuckled humorlessly. "You speak as though he doesn't know the type of world you live in." His grip on my hand tightened. "And I'm getting impatient here." He said and while I wanted to break away from him, I realized that was a terrible idea because I had a terrible pain shoot up my arm."
"Fuck." I cussed out of pain.
"Look at me." He started but I was too occupied with getting away from him. Then he pressed me against the bed so I could feel every inch of him. My eyes widened. "Your escape plan is making it worse." He growled out, obviously struggling to hold himself.
"Please... please let me go." I said,hoping my features looked pleading enough. His eyes lingered on mine for a moment too long , before he straightened.
"Strip." He said, causing my eyes to widen.
"What?"
"Don't make me repeat myself." He growled.
I was barely clothed already but I was hesitant. I was usually so confident in front of men but today I felt different.
"I won't hesitate to do it for you." He stated impatiently. Hesitantly, I took off my g-string, before taking off the strings attached to my chest. It barely covered it anyway.
He closed the gap between us, before gripping my ass and giving it a squeeze. He looked down at me while making sure I felt his manhood.
My cheeks flushed as heat crept to my face.
"For someone who's a stripper, you don't seem to have had a lot of experiences with men." He said before leaning down and whispering. "I like that, cause you're my whore."
"I don't belong to you." I blurted trying to shield my fear. "I know one." He gripped my neck.
"Let me tell you this so you can keep it in your stubborn head. I own this place, just as much as I own every single woman working under me." He stated.
"W...why did you not go for another woman? Why me?" I stuttered.
"You see Sabrina," He moved closer to me, causing me to lean backwards. "I know what I want, and I go for what I want." His
My chest heaved, causing his eyes to lower. He smirked when he noticed how affected I was.
He traced his thumb down my face, his piercing eyes boring into mine like they were boring into my soul.
"Didn't you act like you didn't want me seconds ago? Care to explain why you're so responsive then?" He said.
"You aren't helping so much either." I retorted and saw his lip twirl upwards.
"Smart mouth there I see." He stated.
He was doing too much, teasing me this way.
"Still won't say anything?" He questioned.
"Mr. Russo." I
"So now you know my name." His voice sent thrills down my spine. It was so heavy and smooth.
"Mr. Russo, you're not even supposed to be here. This is wrong."
"As wrong as your boyfriend cheating with your step sister?"
My eyes widened.
"What do you mean by..."
"Shh, don't act like you're all that innocent, you're a stripper." He reminded me, as he stroked me with his fingers. My jaw dropped out of pleasure.
"I've never given myself out to any man and he knows that." I managed to say even though I was still contemplating his statement. How true was what he said?
He cocked a brow at me.
"What do you call a woman, at the mercy of another man who wishes to take her right here right now?" He asked, causing me to worry. "No joke, she's so responsive."
"You don't have to be so blunt." I said, trying to pull away, but with his stronger strength, he pinned me down and made me look at him in the eyes.
They were striking blue, and dark. One could tell there were so many mysteries clouded in those eyes.
"Why are you feeling guilty?" His question really made my heart skip.
"I don't feel guilty, I just don't believe he would do such a thing." I said.
"It's pointless talking about it then." He leaned closer before kissing me right above my cheekbone.
"Wha...what are you doing?" I asked, breathless. Then threw my head back as his eyes darkened, staring into my eyes.
"You're innocent." He smirked and before I could speak.
"Oh my gosh, we just met." I was unable to believe his bluntness.
"I've known you for eleven years sweetheart." He said. "So you're not so new to me.
Eleven years? That was pretty creepy, but why wasn't I scared?
"You're stalking me?"
"Your boyfriend never cares that much about you?" His question made me gasp.
"He...he..." I stuttered.
"I see. You've made your point."
"I swear he's not a bad person. He makes me laugh and smile."
His eyes narrowed at me. "So why can't I see it in your eyes? If he makes you happy, why are you still a stripper?"
"That's none of your business." I said, trying to push me off him but he wouldn't budge.
I kept squirming uncomfortably. My brows scrunched.
"You look so cute in this position." He said while I glared at him. He chuckled. "I have a proposition for you."
"What's that?"
"I don't know. Depends on how willing you are."
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
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?
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!