Ashton Hayes, since the ripe age of 16 had been cleaning up after the dirty work of the big guns, the Takahashi mafia family. The brutal images his work came with made Ashton's heart and soul numb inside out that is until a fragile-looking, sheltered, girl by the name of Sora stumbles upon his crime scene. Sora Bailey, brought up by her grandmother in a sheltered lifestyle had never felt the pain of heartache or the love of another man but that all changes when she makes acquaintance with Ashton, the tall brooding man who held her fate in his hands without her even knowing. Will Ashton protect the sheltered beauty or hand over into the unnerving claws of the mafia? Author: Neha Publisher: i&i Publisher
"Wow, they really did a number on him, by the looks of it he wasn't an easy one either" Vincent commented looking around the basement room of the bungalow.
The room was lit up with a single yellow bulb hanging over the wooden chair in the middle where there was a man in seemingly his forties, tied to the chair, a very dead man with his head hanging down limply, bullet holes through and through visible from each side of his temple.
"Got that right" Ashton mumbled looking around the floor which was crimson with his blood and he could see plied off toenails and a few fingers floating around in the blood.
"Let's get to work" Ashton said going towards the huge duffel bags with their gear in it.
They got their protective suits along with the non-porous gloves and chemical spill boots. They looked like people from CDC taking precaution against a highly infectious but in this case the stakes were higher if not the same cause they can't leave behind any kind of evidence that would connect the crime to the Takaheshi mafia family or themselves, either way it would result in their deaths.
Vincent inched the putty knife towards Ashton which was used to scrape the blood from in between cracks, the hardest job in their opinion.
"Alright, alright I guess it's my turn" Vincent grumbled pulling the knife back as Ashton gave him the 'you and I both know it's your turn to do the scut work' look.
Ashton spilled the enzyme solvent over the floor in order to liquefy any dried blood and picking up a mop he started soaking up the blood off the floor into a basket.
After all the scrubbing, clean and bleaching of the floor, the walls as well as the ceiling they got the industrial deodorizers to break through the chemical smells of bleach and solvents.
They carried the body bag with the body out to the awaiting van with the guards and loaded it in next they disposed of their cleaning equipment, as well as their suits into the industrial barrels. It was a repeat process, the professional cleaning equipment cost thousands of dollars alone but it wasn't their problem since the bosses upstairs paid for all that as well as their services.
The business was dirty, gory and dangerous but Ashton was used to it, he was born into it and even after all that blood and gore he had an appetite for a nice hot dog, maybe he was just that numb inside.
"Grandma, did you take your iron supplements?" Sora asked as she threw on her little bag sideways around her neck along with a silk scarf.
"Yes dear, I did" her voice sounded from the kitchen.
Sora headed over to the kitchen where her grandmother, frail looking but at times actually stronger than Sora herself, both emotionally and physically, the woman who basically raised her stood over at the stove, no doubt cooking something delicious for them.
"Alright then, I am heading out for a while for some ice cream" she informed, giving her grandmother a quick kiss on the cheek before heading out already halfway to the door, she gave her dog mocha a little belly rub as he came rolling at her feet.
He wanted to go out for a walk with her but she had already taken him out earlier in the morning for a walk, plus they wouldn't allow him inside the ice cream shop.
"Well, Okay but be back by six, the pot roast would be out hot and don't eat any other street food, doesn't suit you well, i don't know when you'll learn your lesson regarding that, just ice cream darling" she said, her tone firm.
It was true, as much as Sora loved street food, she caught food poisoning easy but she never could resist, although she would try this time.
"Sure grandma, bye!" she said heading out the door closing it behind her, making sure mocha wasn't following her out, he was sneaky like that.
Even though Sora had a mini Vitz, she preferred to ride her bike, she liked the open air and the exercise. She owned a bookstore downtown but she had her own employees working there for her and handling the store so she didn't really have to always go in, only when she wanted to.
She pedaled her bike all the way to the park where the ice cream truck usually stood. Braking her bike in front of a lamp post on the side she swung her legs off of it and secured the chains lock around the lamppost before taking her helmet off and hanging it over the manual braking handles.
She made her way over to where the ice cream truck was parked on the curb and waited in the line for her turn. She could never get over her child-like excitement waiting in the line of the ice cream truck, it just never got old.
She noticed the bob of red curly hair on the child in front of her and a grin spread across her face as she recognized the kid right away.
"Hey Sam! how did the science project go?" she called out to the kid gaining his attention making him turn around and look at her.
When he saw Sora behind him, a toothy grin graced his freckled dimply face.
"It went great! the volcano erupted so big it made the teacher so happy she gave me an A and a gold star" he told her excitedly.
A while back Sora had helped the kid with his science project when she found him sulking in the park instead of playing with the other kids so her being her, she helped the kid out. Turns out, the volcano of his science project wouldn't erupt, he had forgotten to add enough baking soda, it was an easy fix.
"That's awesome, good job champ" she complimented ruffling his hair playfully.
It was Sam's turn but Sora paid for his bubblegum ice lolly saying it was a treat from her for a job well done on the science project he did and the little boy hugged her around the legs before skipping along with his other friends to apparently play tag.
Sora paid for her double scoop caramel cone too as she headed towards the wooden bench where a tall, burly man sat in peace eating his hot dog. Sora took a look at him and he looked so unapproachable with his intimidating built, his sharp features which she had to admit were pretty handsome and his dark clothing.
However, all the other benches were filled with soccer moms chatting with each other while their children played so she walked over to the bench with her ice cream and sat at the other end of it. The man didn't even pay any attention to her or acknowledge her whatsoever.
As she started to eat and enjoy her delicious caramel cone, her eyes widened when she saw a football come right at her with full velocity and she just sat there too stunned to react, waiting for the impact as the ball inched closer in her sight with every passing millisecond, however, the impact never came as the man sitting beside her brought his big rough hand in front of her face, throwing the ball away and shielding her from its impact.
She let out a big sigh of relief. That would've most probably broken her nose.
"Thank you, that was so close" she said looking at him.
He just gave her a curt nod of acknowledgment before going back to his hot dog as if the previous events never took place.
Sora wanted to say something but by the looks of it he really didn't wanna make any conversation with anyone so deciding not to pester him, she sat there and ate her cone in silence.
Isla Moon Gambino, daughter of the mafia crime lord Richard Gambino has led a sheltered and caged life due to all the dangers that lurk around the mafia family members, now when a rival mafia family threatens the Gambino family's safety, she has been appointed a personal bodyguard. Alexander Rossi, Ex-Marine seal with demons of his own is the appointed bodyguard to the sweet and sheltered girl who goes out of her way to befriend him and make him talk to her. Will she be able penetrate his ice cold exterior? Will he be able to free her from the caged life she leads? Will their forbidden love last? Author: Neha Publisher: i&i Publisher
His possessiveness was the outcome of his love and his anger the outcome of his true care, towards her. Scarlett Anderson, 18 years old, due to a tragic accident is obliged to move in with people she doesn't know along with her dad. What she didn't expect was that the people she was moving in would be the definition of what people call filthy rich but what she TOTALLY didn't expect was the rich billionaire heir to be infatuated with her. Xavier Marshall, 23-year-old and born with a silver spoon in his mouth had been short-tempered and ruthless from the beginning, Being the heir to a multi-billion dollars company and owning an underground mafia puts a lot on one's shoulder but Xavier has always had a way of getting things done his way and getting what he desires and Scarlett Anderson was no exception to these rules of his. Author: Neha Publisher: i&i Publisher
She was an angel seeking chaos, He was a demon seeking his peace. Noah Harrison is fresh out of prison on parole for a crime that he could never forgive himself for after serving seven years in prison. Now out again with no place or no one to go to Noah struggles to get his life together since no one is very keen to make acquaintance with the tall, well-built prisoner but that changes when Noah is granted yes for a place to stay by the naive, sweet, innocent Bluebell Arch who just wants a roommate to share her empty apartment with What they didn't know was that they would end up being more than roommates. "Tell me every terrible thing you ever did, open up to me, share your demons with me and let me love you anyway despite those demons." she said. And with those words said, he fell even deeper for her. His Bluebell. Author: Neha Publisher: i&i Publisher
Ellie Summers, a sweet, awkward girl who speaks her mind without thinking was leading her own normal life, barely making ends meet after getting fresh out of college and pursuing an editing job but all that normality goes down the drain when a man is literally dropped dead in front of her and she is shoved into drama that she didn't ask for. This unfortunate event makes her end up in the refuge of Jason Parker. A tall, brooding ex-marine and a man of few words. His norm is to go about with his day without much human interaction, just the way he likes it but even he isn't able to completely ignore colorful Ellie Parker who tests him in ways he never has been. Will Ellie be able to add color to Jason's life? Will Jason let her into his world? Will Ellie survive the mess she has been shoved into? Author: Neha Publisher: i&i Publisher
"She got swept away by the storm in his eyes Drowning in his hurricane kisses It was the most beautiful disaster ever" In which he lurks in the dark hidden away from her, playing the role of her guardian angel, protecting her and most importantly preserving her for himself for when the right time came. In which she has the naivety of a rabbit and the personality of a cotton candy but she has her own big demons which chase her every day. Author: Neha Publisher: i&i Publisher
Somehow you are both the best and the worst thing that has ever happened to me..... She never anticipated that the one night she would agree to get out of her shell, her own little bubble of solitude, he comfort zone, that one night would completely bring her world up side down and change her life for the better and for the worse. He never thought that he would feel such strong feelings towards someone and he never thought he would ever do such insane things to keep feeling those feelings, even blackmail. Author: Neha Publisher: i&i Publisher
"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?"
I'm a Luna. After three years of marriage to Alpha Nathaniel Blackwood, I'm finally pregnant with his pup. But he's unclaimed me for his first love. I'm leaving the pack with this secret, praying he never finds out. Nathaniel Blackwood is a handsome, powerful Alpha. In a world where humans and werewolves coexist, he has it all: a billion-dollar empire, untold power, a massive pack, and, most importantly, the perfect Luna. But the return of his first love shattered our marriage. When he finds out the secret I've been hiding, will he regret rejecting me? Will I ever be able to forgive him? Dive into this gripping serialized novel to find out more-Enjoy the ride!
"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.
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
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!