"Don't make me repeat myself twice, part those legs for me, Bunny." His deep voice which always sends my brain reeling due to how silky it sounds, washed over me slowly as he murmured quietly against my throat. I tried to point out to him that there was no way I'd be able to do as told with his legs still pinning mine down, but the words died down in my throat when he sucked the skin over my beating pulse into his mouth. "Go on. You want to be good for me, don't you?" "I- I do." I choked out, letting out a breathy whimper when he wrapped his free hand around my throat and squeezed on it a little. --- Forced to marry the ruthless mafia lord, whom everyone was afraid of at the age of eighteen, Sofia had no other choice but to follow her father's wishes like a dutiful daughter was supposed to. While Luca Ricci only took a wife, because he wasn't getting any younger at the age of thirty-three. She was the angel to his demons, the light to his darkness, the innocence to his sins... He wanted to protect her, since the moment he locked eyes with hers on their wedding day and saw the amount of fright brewing in it. He wanted to make her good for him, to mark her as his; with his handprints on her ass and his cum dripping off her face. To own her completely, to wrap his hand around her throat and do so many sinful things to her body. But he was the mafia lord, and danger just seems to be lurking around him, wherever he goes, and in whatever he does. He must protect his wife at all costs.
Sofia's POV
"Sit, Sofia," Father murmured as he gestured towards the seat positioned before himself and mum, I sank into it gracefully and thanked him before he continued.
My heart was already beating fast, it had started racing wildly since the moment our housekeeper came to my room to inform me that my parents would like to have a word with me this very instant. A part of me already kinda figured out why they had summoned me, I've been dreading this particular 'talk' since the day I turned eighteen, two months ago.
"Do you know why I had you summoned?" Father asked and I shook my head immediately, silently praying it wasn't going to end up being what I was already starting to think it was. Father picked up his whiskey filled glass and took a sip before returning it back to the table. My mother was seated beside him with a blank face as usual, her hair was pinned on her hair neatly and tightly, a single strand wouldn't be able to slip out until she took out the pin herself.
"You're eighteen years already, Sofia." My father started to say and I felt my heart sink into my stomach with a drop, what he was about to say was already pretty obvious.
"You're ripe for marriage already, which is why we've started your wedding preparations the moment you clocked eighteen. You'd be getting married in a week's time and all you have to do is to relax and do whatever your mum and her sisters ask you to do."
"What?" I demanded urgently with my heart squeezing tight against the inside of my chest, blinking unbelievably and glancing from father's face to my mother's expressionless face.
I knew I was going to get married to one of the soldiers or generals' sons right since I was thirteen, I had been aware and had been brought up to be a good and obedient wife to whoever would end up getting picked out for me. It was tradition for fathers in our own world to marry their daughters to eligible men holding posts worthy enough to benefit them one way or the other.
"You're getting married to Luca Ricci in a week's time." Father stated and my mouth fell open immediately.
Luca?
Mr Luca Ricci?
"Um, Mr Luca? The mafia lord?" I whispered out with my eyes blown wide and my heart beating wildly against my ribs, my hands were starting to shake due to how close I was to losing control of my emotions and I squeezed my hands together and dragged in deep breath as quietly as I could.
"Yes, Sofia. Mr Luca Ricci has requested your hand in marriage and everything has been in preparation ever since. You should be really honored that someone as powerful as him would want to marry from our family, despite the fact that there are higher generals with daughters in which he could pick from." My mother finally said from the moment I got into the office and I blinked at her with tears stinging my eyes.
"But he's really older than I am," I tried reasoning with them in a strained whisper, my voice breaking unashamedly, feeling weak and powerless as ever. What could I do?
Wasn't he like fifty?
"Age is just a number, and besides he's just eighteen years older than you are." My father dismissed my protest immediately as he took another sip of his whiskey.
"I don't want to marry him, father." I started to say, knowing that I was digging my own grave by voicing out my own thoughts but having no other choice left, "Anybody but him, father. He's scary and ruthless, you've said so yourself countless times. I've heard so many rumors about him, scary details about him. Please father..."
"Sofia!" My father barked out and I jumped and swallowed emptily, shifting in my seat and staring pointedly at my quaking hands on my thighs.
Not him please.
Please.
"Those are just rumors, and when did you start believing whatever you hear without enough proof?" Father snapped and I swallowed again, trying my hardest to blink my tears away.
"He's ruthless because he has to be as the mafia lord, and you're going to learn to be fierce like him once you become his wife. Nothing's going to happen to you if you do whatever he demands of you as fast as you can without questions. Luca hates stupid questions and you females are fond of that instead of obediently doing as you are told immediately."
"So he wants a slave and not a wife? That's it? I'm just going to become his slave?" I demanded before I could stop myself and father got to his feet immediately and threw his glass which was half filled with whiskey on the wall exactly where my head was positioned a second ago had I not ducked immediately with a panicked scream. I scrambled to my feet instantly and raced to the doorway with tears streaming down my cheeks, mother was on her feet as well, wringing her hands together but not interfering as usual.
"This is why you women need a husband with an iron fist, someone to discipline you until you learn how to obey whatever you've told to do without stupid, unnecessary questions." Father shouted angrily at me with a finger pointed in my direction and I cried harder. "Knowing how Luca is, I'm sure he would be able to make you obey him without questions a day into the marriage unlike me, it took me years to train your mother into being an obedient wife, because she was just like you are now; stubborn, disrespectful and disobedient."
I shook my head with tears still sliding down my cheeks, I didn't want to end up being like mother, I didn't want to have to live life the way she did, I didn't want to have to agree with whatever my husband says without questions, I didn't want to live like a slave in marriage the way my mother has been doing since the moment she got married to father.
I've never expected to marry because of love, nor have I thought that I'd be marrying someone of my own choice. But I've been hoping I'd marry someone in my own age range who's already open minded and won't want to live in the past the way the people in the past generations did.
But then I had to get given to someone almost two decades older than I am, it wasn't even just anybody, it was Luca. Luca Ricci.
Everyone's worst nightmare.
Everyone was scared of him, including my father.
"Get back into your room this instant and don't leave there until you're asked to." He ordered before turning around and heading toward the bar hanging off the wall in his office to pour himself another drink. I remained in my current position, knowing it was stupid of me to still hope he'd change his mind. He turned back around with another glass of whiskey and I noticed the way his nose flared angrily the moment his eyes landed on me.
I glanced helplessly at my mother, hoping she'd back me up for once but she only shook her head and glanced away from my direction. With another wayward sob bubbling in my throat, I whirled around and fled his office when he started advancing towards me.
I flew up the stairs with tears streaming down my cheeks and past the rows of doors upstairs leading to my room. I didn't stop to acknowledge my younger brother who was standing outside his bedroom door watching me silently and slammed my bedroom door shut the moment I got in.
I turned the keys and locked it despite the fact that I knew father has the rest of my door keys and could get the door open anytime he wants before sliding down against it and burying my face in my palms, more tears spilled out and I didn't bother trying to stop it and instead allowed it to flow out quietly.
I was going to be identified as Mrs Ricci in a week's time...
The thought of that alone was enough to make me sob even harder, hating life and my parents with so much passion all over again.
"You know, you always look so much better when I mark you up." He husked out as he palmed my burning cheeks. I buried my face in the soft, silky sheets some more, muffling the stuttered whimper that bubbled past my throat. "If you're going to act like a desperate little brat, I'm going to treat you like one. Got It?â âââ When eighteen year old Miaâs identical twin gets betrothed to an underboss, Mia was silently grateful for being the least favorite twin who was never noticed. Her relief was abruptly shortened when her twin disappeared on her wedding day, which resulted in Mia being forced to take her twinâs spot and marry a man way older than her father. Mia thought her life could never get any worse, but was proved wrong on her wedding night, when her newly wedded husband was killed and she was being kidnapped by a Mafia Lord hellbent on getting revenge on her father through her, showing her just how cruel and heartless, power starved and rage-blinded men could be. And yet, Mia found herself falling. Falling ridiculously fast, for the most dangerous mafia lord to ever walk the earth. Lorenzo Domenico, the one who never dies. All Lorenzo wanted was to get revenge, he was supposed to put a bullet through the petite girlâs pretty face and send her body back to her father as a present. But somehow, here he wasâ willing to go to any lengths to protect, keep her safe, and all to himself.
âMummy, Is the President our daddy?â Layla asked curiously, head tilted sideways. Her brothers listened in attentively, obviously wanting a response. I forced out a chuckle as I crouched low before her to cup her soft cheeks. âHoney, the president isnât your daddy. The President is a very wicked person.â âBut, we met him today and he was very polite. He even complimented my hair.â Layla continued earnestly and my heart hammered against my chest fearfully. âCupcakes, whenever you run into the President; stay away from him because heâs very cruel, okay?â ~~~ Zendaya Montclair unwillingly got into a contract marriage with the President and suffered a great deal in the marriageâ from having to break up with her high school sweetheart because of the marriage, to depression, to public humiliationâ to her ex-boyfriend whom she was still in love with, getting married to her supposed best friend. Zendaya was heartbroken. She got drunk that night and spent it in her husbandâs bed, which instantly led to an accidental pregnancy. The President wanted her to get rid of the pregnancy because he never saw her as a mother of his future children and only a wife of convenience. That was the last straw. Zendaya left everything behind and fled, promising herself to come back for revenge on every single person who had wronged her. Including the President, she was going to make him pay!
âI hate you. Iâve always hated you.â He gruffed in annoyance and I snorted while folding my arms. âBest believe the feeling is fucking mutual.â âCare to explain why youâre always giving me the âlookâ then?â He demanded, a smirk tugging at the sides of his lips. âWhat stupid look?â âLike you want me to fuck you.â ~~~ It was a hate-at-first-sight thing. Ava would gladly strangle the ridiculously rude stranger who had collided into her and ruined her entire plans for the day, while Mason never wanted to have another encounter with the clumsiest person he had ever come across. Neither of them expected that the next time theyâd be seeing each other again, is to be officially introduced to one another as step siblings. Things didnât get better from there, it got worse. Especially now that they had to live in the same house. Things drastically take a left turn when their parents plans a âfirst familyâs vacationâ, but were unable to make an appearance as scheduled because of some last minute changes, leaving Ava and Mason by themselves, all alone on an island. For three weeks. Ava passionately hated Mason, until she didn't. Till she couldnât pretend to not notice how insanely good looking he was⊠till she couldnât pretend to be immune to Masonâs intense gaze and lingering touches⊠Till she couldnât deny that she wanted Mason to play her curvy body like she was his favorite guitar⊠Till she couldnât deny that she had gone ahead and fallen head over heels, for Mason.
Arranged to marry a man she had never met at age twenty, Caroline wasnât keen about it, but ended up reluctantly agreeing to the contract marriage on realizing there was going to be a huge sum of money involved. The marriage ended up being a complete whirlpool of different things for Caroline and her husband, Richard, and they ended up getting a divorce, before parting ways. Five years into the future, a freshly shot patient gets rushed to the hospital in which Caroline works, who surprising turns out to be her ex-husband, Richard. Love really does bloom in unexpected situations and Richard ends up falling for Caroline harder than he ever thought possible, realizing that he could never let her go this time, especially now that he knew she had beared him a son.
Gina is a young, hard working lady who gets heart broken on realizing that her boyfriend had been cheating on her ever since they started dating. Single and determined to take life as it comes, Gina comes across Henry, a good looking billionaire whom she misunderstood at first glance â which led them to part ways on the wrong foot. Unfortunately for her, where she ended up finding a job, was owned by Henryâ and he refused her from getting offered a job immediately. Gina desperately apologized for the previous time they met because she desperately needed the job at that moment. Henry finally throws her a deal, for her to get married to him for a certain period of time, before she could get offered a job. Gina thinks that was the most absurd thing sheâs ever heard, but that didnât stop her from agreeing to get married to him when she saw the amount of money that was involved. Along the line, plans gets ruined, feelings gets hatched unknowingly and both individuals would come to realize just how fast and hard they were falling for one another, unhinged.
Kathlyn Georgia has just gotten fired from her workplace for breaking her supervisor's nose. At this stage, Kathlyn is being pressured by everything. There's nothing worse, than having no boyfriend, no job and your landlord disturbing you every night for rent. She manages to land a job as the new assistant of the most popular billionaire in townâAdam Smith. After spending one late night together, Kathlyn finds out she might just be pregnant for his child and maybe she would have considered a relationship with him, if her boyfriendâTony Richards wasn't in the picture.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
âDrive this woman out!â "Throw this woman into the sea!â When he doesnât know Debbie Nelsonâs true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. âMr. Hilton, she is your wife,â Carlosâ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, âwhy didnât you tell me earlier?â From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.
Five years ago, he upped and left his wife without informing her. He had always felt unworthy. As a result, he decided to go and become a better man. It took him five whole years of daily hard work. When he was satisfied, he returned as a powerful and honorable man. He intended to start a family with his wife. But he got back to meet the greatest shocker of his life. He actually had a daughter!
Bethany, a stunning woman burdened by financial woes, wrestled with her future prospects in the city after fleeing her manipulative former lover. At the same time, a bold and unyielding man began to pursue her with relentless passion. The word on the street was that the aloof Mr. Swanson had taken under his wing a woman of striking beauty, allegedly snatched from his best friend. He showered her with lavish gifts and was captivated by her every word. They said she was not merely a beautiful woman, but a unique treasure that demanded constant dedication and attention.
Jennifer Bennett, the rightful heiress to the Bennett legacy, fought hard for her family's recognition, only to be eclipsed by an impostor. Faced with false accusations, bullying, and public humiliation, Jennifer eventually gave up trying to win their approval. Vowing to rise above the injustice, she became the bane of those who wronged her. The Bennett family's efforts to break her only fueled her success, leading her to heights her rivals could only dream of. Someone asked, "Do you feel let down by your parents?" With a calm smile, Jennifer said, "It doesn't matter. In the end, power prevails."
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?