Sometimes image is more important than one's own achievements. Abigail Smith, a recent college graduate, comes to this realization when a popular businessman, Benjamin Anderson demands her hand in marriage. She knows she's being used as cover, but she doesn't know how deep Benjamin's problems run until she's caught up with the government and kidnapped by foreign drug lords. She never expected that getting a degree would lead to pulling a trigger that'll save the one she love's life. Will her world ever be the same again?
Chapter One -
The sound of champagne bottles popping mixed with the cheers of celebration as a party took place in an apartment's living room far too small. The champagne that bursts from their glass bottles like erupting volcanoes inevitably splattered on the wooden floor.
"HEY! Could you guys be a little more considerate?!" The owner of the apartment shouted in annoyance at everyone causing a ruckus.
"Sorry, Layla." An older, tall man still in his business suit patted the young adult's back. He then beamed a smile at the woman that was the same age as her, sitting on the sofa with an embarrassed look. "I'm just so happy that my baby girl has finally graduated college!"
"Dad..." She mumbles while rubbing the back of her neck but still smiles up at him. Nothing made her happier than her father's praises.
"That's a Smith for ya. She'll be a big ole businesswoman just like her ole man." Another man slurred, already a bit tipsy from the champagne. All of her father's business associates had joined them for their little celebration of Abigail's graduation.
Well, all of his associates except for one who claimed to be too busy for something so trivial. If it wasn't for being such a successful man with a very important role in her father's business, he would've fired him right on the spot for using such a word about his hard-working daughter.
"It's too bad Benjamin didn't think it was worth coming..." One of the other men grumbled about the co-worker that thought this was trivial.
"Mr. Anderson? Pfft. I never liked that bastard anyways. He's always so smug. Sticks his nose up like he's better than anyone else." Another one muttered.
"Nobody likes him! All he has is a pretty face going for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he's caught up in illegal shit like drugs or something!" another tipsy businessman bellowed a laugh at his own joke.
Abigail looked at the men with raised eyebrows, the woman taken aback by their sudden talk of distaste for a single man that they work with. "Goodness... surely he's not that bad."
James rested his hand upon his daughter's shoulder. "In all honesty, I'm glad he declined my offer to join our celebration for you. The man is quite arrogant and would be a bad influence on you." The wrinkles on his fore crease as he thinks out loud. "He's an excellent worker but even I can't stand the man." He then looks down at his daughter and gives her a little smile. "Do Daddy a favor and stay away from him. He also has an unnervingly shady background."
Abigail's brows knitted together this time but she still gave a nod of her head. For her father to not like someone had to mean that there was definitely something off about the man. Other than being a total jerk by the sounds of it.
As the group continued trash-talking the man called Benjamin behind his back, Layla looked at Abigail and gave an annoyed sigh with a shake of her head. "If y'all are done gossiping, can you please leave?! Abigail had a long drive back here! Party's over!"
James chuckles endearingly. "Yes, how could I forget? You're probably exhausted." He pats his daughter's head then gives her forehead a little kiss. "I love you, my lil pumpkin-poo~ Daddy will call you soon."
"DAD!" Abigail unintentionally raises her voice while Layla snickered with a hand to her mouth. The other men chuckled as well as they watch the cute interaction between the two. Not everyone knew that James is a widower and that he raised Abigail on his own, but even without that knowledge, it was still heartwarming watching them.
"See you, Abigail!"
"Rest up! Nice seeing you again."
"Bye, Abigail!"
The men took turns bidding her farewell as they left the apartment. James gave his daughter one last kiss goodbye before following after his friends. Layla follows them close behind while waving her hands in a "shoo" manner as if scaring off stray animals on her property. "Alright! Alright! Off with you lot! Out! Out, I say!" She yells then slams the door behind them and wipes her hands. "UGH! Look at this!" She points at the several spillages on the floor. "Lazy bastards couldn't even clean up after themselves!"
Abigail goes to help her friend clean up but Layla immediately declines and demands her to rest after her long drive. Reluctantly, Abigail sits back down as Layla began to speak again.
"Sheesh. They were seriously roasting that Benimen guy. Kinda low that they were doing it behind his back too."
"I think it's pronounced Benjamin, Layla. And yeah... probably better that someone like that wasn't here anyways like Dad said. The last thing I need is a sourpuss around me right now." She yawns and then stands up. "Welp. I'm off. Let me know if you need anything, 'kay?"
"'Night, girl." Layla waves her off then curses that the scent of alcohol is sticking to the floor.
Abigail went to the spare bedroom that Layla would use as storage. It was originally her room before she went to college. Though now it's a bit cramped, Abigail was still happy she could flop down on the bed. "Ughhh..." She moans as her spine finally gets sweet relief. The young woman takes her auburn hair out of its ponytail right as her phone makes a "ping" noise as she gets a text message.
"Dad is already on a roll?" she mumbles with exhaustion while rolling onto her stomach and rubbing one of her eyes. Abigail was already struggling to stay awake and, though she would feel extremely awful about it, felt like passing out on her phone right then and there. But, instead, she tilted her head in confusion when she saw the text was from a phone number she didn't have registered.
"Is this Abigail Smith?"
At first, she assumes that it's one of her father's business associates. "Yes. Who's this?" Abigail didn't even have to wait patiently since he immediately texted her back.
"Meet me in Starbucks tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. sharp."
Abigail looks taken aback and then feels agitated. What the hell? Who does this guy think he is?
"Um. I asked you who you are. I'm not going to just go see some stranger..."
"My name is Benjamin Anderson. 7:30 a.m. Don't keep me waiting." Comes another blunt text message.
Abigail's jaw drops with sheer confusion and bewilderment.
Benjamin Anderson?!
The shady man that all of her father's friends seemed to hate had somehow got a hold of her number and was commanding her to meet him?? Abigail recalls her father's warning to avoid the surly man, but, at the same time...
What could he possibly want?
The comfort Amelia seeks from her childhood friends and the pack is nothing that she expected to happen. She also met a new wolf, Sebastian, who she becomes very infatuated with. Once they have privacy, he shows his true colors: dark and feral. Unafraid, and filled with desire, they give into their lust. The next day, Amelia feels disgusted with herself. Though Amelia feels ashamed of herself, she still can't help but have romantic feelings for the mysterious wolf. Unexpectedly, their erotic first encounter was now becoming more romantic. Amelia's friends grow concerned, not trusting Sebastian, and dig into his history only to find the awful things he had done in his past. In order to keep his secrets safe, Sebastian takes drastic action to hide his past from Amelia. Whether it be deceit or blood but deception can only get you so far. In the end, Amelia must make a critical decision, to take a second chance at love or to see through a liar.
"Please trust me, I didn't do anything." "I don't believe you. I am rejecting you as my Queen and giving you the punishment of death." Alina was living outside her pack for five years. Her parents didn't try to contact her and always ignored her. Her best friend convinced her to go back to their pack and she agreed. But she had never imagined what was waiting there for her. She never thought she would meet her mate and had to face betrayal from everywhere. She had to pay for the crime which she never committed. Aaron Robertson is the king of Lycans. He is a very dominant and powerful King who not only rules Lycans but also rules other ranks of werewolves. Everyone is afraid of Lycans and he is the king of them. But who knew that he would get a mate who was just a simple Omega with no powers and strengths? He called her weak all the time but Little did he know that his weak Omega would give him the biggest betrayal of his life for which he had to give her the sentence of death.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
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."
"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?"
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
My boyfriend called, "Baby!" as he jumped out of bed and scrambled to pull his pants off the ground. "Please, I can explain my love." Shutting my eyes, I inhaled deeply and tried not to cry when I realized that my dream of the man not being my boyfriend had been dashed. "What?" I asked, "What do you want to explain?" How did you lie about having a business meeting while you were in bed enjoying yourself with my best friend, even though I told you I was in serious pain, is that it?" I stood there, my heart pounding, and tears streaming down my face...