/0/72279/coverbig.jpg?v=5fe041b462ccbcd41d6724c6ea6e114d)
She hated him before she even met him. Alexis Carter is one of the best legal minds in New York, known for her ruthless ability to take down powerful men who think they're untouchable. When she's assigned to handle a high-stakes corporate case, she's ready for war-until she realizes her new client is Damian Blackwood, the same billionaire who destroyed her family years ago. Damian Blackwood built his empire on control. Cold, calculated, and untouchable, he has never let anyone get close enough to see his weaknesses. But when a past mistake comes back to haunt him, he's left with one solution: marry the one woman who despises him the most. It was supposed to be a contract marriage, nothing more. A game of power, protection, and survival. But in a world where trust is just another currency and secrets can destroy empires, Alexis and Damian will have to decide: Are they playing the game, or are they falling for each other?
The first time I ever saw Damian Blackwood in person, I wanted to destroy him.
I had imagined the moment a thousand times-walking into his office, standing face-to-face with the man who single-handedly crushed my family. I'd envisioned cold, hard fury, the kind that burned away all reason. I'd even prepared a speech, sharp words designed to cut through his arrogant exterior and expose him for the villain he was.
But when I finally stood in front of him, in his sleek, glass-walled empire that overlooked Manhattan like he owned the entire city, I felt something far worse than anger.
I felt powerless.
"Ms. Carter," he greeted smoothly, leaning back in his leather chair, his expression unreadable. "I've heard a lot about you."
I lifted my chin, forcing myself to meet his gaze head-on. His eyes were cold, calculating-blue, but not the kind that reminded you of the ocean or the sky. No, Damian Blackwood's eyes were the kind that belonged to winter, to the edge of a frozen lake where you didn't realize how deep the darkness went until you were already drowning.
"Not nearly as much as I've heard about you," I shot back.
A flicker of something passed through his expression-amusement, maybe? It made my skin crawl. He knew who I was. He had to. But if he did, he didn't show it.
I gripped the file in my hand a little tighter, my nails pressing into the leather. Keep it professional, Alexis. Focus on the case.
This wasn't about my past. It wasn't about my father.
This was about my career.
That's what I told myself when my law firm assigned me to this case, the biggest of my life. I was here to represent Blackwood Enterprises in a multi-billion-dollar contract dispute-nothing more.
Still, I had hesitated before stepping into the building, my fingers frozen on the handle of the revolving door. Because once I walked in, once I faced him, it would be real.
And if I wanted to take him down, I had to play the long game.
"So, you're the new lawyer handling my case." Damian's voice was smooth, with the kind of effortless authority that made lesser men bow and stronger ones grit their teeth. "I expected someone... older."
"Should I take that as a compliment or an insult?" I kept my tone cool, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
"Take it however you want." He gestured to the chair across from him. "Sit."
I didn't.
Instead, I placed the case file on his desk, tapping it once. "I reviewed the contract in question. It's airtight. Your company shouldn't have any legal issues unless there's something you're not telling me."
His lips quirked upward-not a smile, exactly. More like the ghost of one. "You don't waste time, do you?"
I arched a brow. "You strike me as a man who doesn't like wasting his either."
His gaze flicked over me, assessing, and for a moment, the room felt smaller, the space between us charged. I hated that he had this effect on me-that his presence felt like gravity itself, pulling me in when all I wanted was to escape.
"You're right," he said, closing the file without even looking at it. "Which is why I have a counteroffer for you, Ms. Carter."
I stiffened. "A counteroffer?"
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his fingers laced together. "Marry me."
Silence.
The kind that stretches, expands, until it's the only thing you can hear.
I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head. "I think I misheard you."
"You didn't."
I stared at him, searching for the catch, the punchline-anything that would make this less insane.
"Is this a joke?" I demanded.
His expression remained unreadable. "Do I look like I joke?"
No. He didn't.
I exhaled slowly, trying to regain control of the conversation. "You can't possibly think-"
"You want revenge." He cut me off, his voice low and smooth. "And I need a wife. We both get what we want."
I went still.
Every muscle in my body locked, my breath catching in my throat.
So he did know who I was.
"Why would I ever agree to that?" I asked, my voice sharper now, more controlled.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he stood, stepping around the desk until he was standing directly in front of me. Too close. Close enough that I could smell the faint trace of expensive cologne, something dark and rich and dangerously intoxicating.
"Because," he said quietly, "if you want the truth about what really happened to your father, this is the only way you'll get it."
The air vanished from my lungs.
I wanted to call him a liar, to tell him I didn't believe a single word that came out of his mouth. But I couldn't, because deep down, I had always suspected there was more to the story.
Damian Blackwood might have taken everything from me.
But now, he was offering me the one thing I could never walk away from.
The truth.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to keep my expression blank. He thinks he has all the power. He thinks he's in control.
But he doesn't know who he's dealing with.
"If I say yes," I murmured, tilting my head slightly, watching him. "You understand that means you're stuck with me, right?"
For the first time since I walked into his office, he actually smiled.
"Good," he said. "I was hoping you'd say that."
I should have turned around and walked out. I should have laughed in his face and told him to go to hell.
Instead, I did something far worse.
I extended my hand.
The moment his fingers closed around mine, a slow, deliberate shake sealing our twisted agreement, I realized something terrifying.
I had just made a deal with the devil.
And for the first time in my life, I wasn't sure if I was the hunter-or the prey.
Blurb for Obsidian Genesis Dark Billionaire Sci-Fi Romance | Enemies-to-Lovers | Forced Proximity | Twisted Secrets | Horror & Heat They created her to be perfect. He made her dangerous. Now, love might be the glitch that destroys them both. Seraphine Vale was born in the shadows of Neo-Erebus, a city built on secrets and sustained by blood. Orphaned, raised by code and chaos, she's become the most wanted hacker in the Underslums. When a data heist goes wrong, she finds herself face-to-face with the man she's hated from afar, Auren Blackmoor, the ruthless, icy billionaire who owns the city's soul. But instead of handing her over to the labs for dissection, Auren offers her a deal: Work for him in his heavily guarded arcology tower, where secrets pulse beneath polished chrome floors and something monstrous lurks in the dark. Refuse... and be erased. With no choice but to accept, Seraphine enters a world of chilling technology, forbidden experiments, and seduction laced with suspicion. But as her memories begin to fracture, she starts to realize the truth: She wasn't just a victim of Erebus Industries. She was its prototype. And Auren Blackmoor? He's not just the billionaire who built the nightmare. He's the man who gave her life, and the one who can take it away. Their attraction is dangerous. Their bond? A glitch in the system. Because falling in love with your creator was never part of the code... And when the city's most terrifying secret is unleashed, Seraphine may have to destroy the only man she's ever felt anything for-to save a world that never wanted her.
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
After a brief appearance at a birthday celebration, Ayra Carter's life took a drastic turn when the famous billionaire's heir chooses her to be his new mum.. "I like you a lot so you have to come home with me and be my new mummy" Arya's heart warmed as she stared at the cute little boy in front of her.. "Cutie.. Why don't you pick again?... I'm about to get married" "My son chose you and that's final! become his mum!" A loud authoritave voice broke into the room.. Now what??? ... Not him! Mr Kyle Anderson! The man who doesn't take no for an answer..
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
"I, Erika Blackwood, stand before you, Alexander Robertson, with a heavy heart. I hereby reject you as my mate. The bond we once shared has grown fragile, and my soul yearns for a different path. May you find solace in the love of another, and may we both find the happiness we seek." Alexander didn't say a word and looked at me. But he refused to accept. *********** Erika Blackwood is the next Alpha in line of the Ironclaw Pack. She hides her identity and gets mated to the Alpha of the Moonforest Pack, Alexander Robertson. Three years passed, but Alexander is still unwilling to let go of his childhood sweetheart. Erika is mistreated and eventually framed by the same childhood sweetheart. Now she leaves with that humiliation, and goes back to her pack, swearing vengeance on those who hurt her. They all waited for her to return and beg, but what happens when they realize that the famous Ironclaw Pack that was going to help in the rogue war, was ruled by a woman named, Erika Blackwood. Now her Ex mates want her back. Other Alphas want this woman.. But will she accept any of them? Or will she stay independent forever?...
"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."