After his mother's death, his father lost all reasons why his son shouldn't be a part of his ruthless and brutal lifestyle, being the founder of the Potenza family "organization" his father didn't spare him, and after five years of training to be deemed fit as a Potenza, Elia Potenza runs from his father's grasp. For a few years, his father has sent men to hunt him and bring him back, they didn't care about any damage caused to Elia, and after 4 years of his father's attempts at getting him back, his father suddenly stops, until five years later... What happens when the reason for his father's change of behavior comes breaking into his home and threatening Elia's friends, leaving him no choice but to marry him...
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Rosario Barone and Elia Potenza in matrimony..." I tune out the officiant's speech, glancing to my right to see all of these strange faces, I know none of them, well except for my father's but he's as much of a stranger as the rest of his guests.
I look back at the man who's soon to be my husband, holding both my hands in his, his eyes dark as a bottomless abyss, his face unreadable.
How did I end up here? I put this kind of life behind me when I left nine years ago, I swore to myself that I wouldn't return to this place, that I wouldn't return to this life, no matter the reason.
I guess I got too comfortable.
I focus my attention back on the officiant who happens to be one of my father's men.
I bite the corner of my mouth, trying to stop myself from smiling at the stupidity of it all, this was a last-minute wedding, so I shouldn't be surprised if the officiant has used Google to figure out what to say, "please repeat after me," I clear my throat to stifle my laugh, my soon to be husband arches his eyebrow, but lets it go to repeat after the officiant, "I, Rosario Barone,"
"I, Rosario Barone" repeated Rosario in his deep voice.
"Take you Elia Potenza,"
"Take you Elia Potenza,"
"To be my husband,"
"To be my husband,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"To love and to cherish;"
"To love and to cherish;"
"From this day forward until death does us part."
"From this day forward until death does us part."
Once done, the officiant turns his head to me, "please repeat after me, I, Elia Potenza," the officiant begins.
"I, Elia Potenza,"
"Take you, Rosario Barone,"
"Take you, Rosario Barone,"
"To be my husband,"
"To be my husband,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"To love and to cherish;"
"To... to love and to cherish;"
"From this day forward until death does us part."
"From this day forward until death does us part." I make sure to look at my father when I said the last part.
"Time to exchange the rings," the officiant says and our best men came closer with their hands extended holding the rings out for us to take.
Rosario puts the ring on my finger first, then it was my turn to do the same thing for him, once we are done exchanging the rings, the officiant says, "By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may now kiss".
Rosario leans in and my body goes rigid, he continues to lean in but turns his head and angles it, so he's now blocking the guests' view, he puts his lips right around the corner of my lips and my cheek, and he lingers there for three seconds before pulling away.
It felt a lot longer.
Before I could overthink this kiss the officiant says, "I present to you, Mr. and Mr. Potenza."
Still holding my left hand in his, Rosario turns around to face the guests, and I do too.
The guests stand and upload as Rosario and I step down the Isle, on our way to begin this fucked up life again.
God, I wish I didn't go home that night.
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
The day Lilah found out that she was pregnant, she caught her fiancé cheating on her. Her remorseless fiancé and his mistress almost killed her. Lilah fled for her dear life. When she returned to her hometown five years later, she happened to save a little boy's life. The boy's father turned out to be the world's richest man. Everything changed for Lilah from that moment. The man didn't let her experience any inconvenience. When her ex-fiancé bullied her, he crushed the scumbag's family and also rented out an entire island just to give Lilah a break from all the drama. He also taught Lilah's hateful father a lesson. He crushed all her enemies before she even asked. When Lilah's vile sister threw herself at him, he showed her a marriage certificate and said, "I'm happily married and my wife is much more beautiful than you are!" Lilah was shocked. "When did we ever get married? Last I checked, I was still single." With a wicked smile, he said, "Honey, we've been married for five years. Isn't it about time we had another child together?" Lilah's jaw dropped to the floor. What the hell was he talking about?
Chloe Miler, a naïve young woman, waits shyly to spend Valentine's Day with her boyfriend, but is betrayed on that day when she witnesses him entangled in bed with her own sister. Chloe's heart is broken when her heartfelt love for him is trampled on in an instant. *** Lionel Williams, the mysterious billionaire, the top of the pyramid, is handsome as hell. His eyes are set high, but he is drugged, has a one-night stand with a strange woman, and is humiliated by that unknowing woman with her money! His instincts tell him it's not that simple, and he's going to find her out!
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."