The last thing Paulina wants is to be married to a deadly Mafia Boss, but at times love could be found in the oddest places. The Mafia Boss wants Paulina to himself at all cost because of the debt Paulina's parents owes his gang. Joseph's interest in Paulina stemmed from his interest in Pamela, Paulina's sister. It's a steamy hot love triangle right there. To find out what happens in this controversial love affair, click on CHAPTER 1
Paulina'S POV
The sun shined heavily on this Saturday afternoon, casting long shadows across the well mowed lawns in the compound of the Bowlers mansion. The grand dining hall gleamed with polished marble floors and glittering chandeliers, the air thick with the aroma of rich Italian cuisine. I usually do get tired of all these luxurious and exquisite set up, sometimes I wish we just have a simple minimalist home setup, but what can I do? Nothing!!!
The chefs and home cleaners tussled back an forth, almost colliding with each other as they made arrangements for the arrival of Joseph Sega and his men.
Joseph who is notable for his criminal sindicate and his very notorious drug trafficking gang, has shown likeness in my sister, Pamela, and now he is coming for proper introduction.
"Be careful with those dishes Zack" I yelled at the master chef.
Paulina why are you still not dressed up, is it until our esteemed visitors arive before you begin to get dressed? "My mum said to me as she headed towards the kitchen."
My parents have shown so much excitement towards the arrival of Joseph Sega, and i honestly do not share in the excitement. I do not know what kind of parent would give up their daughter's hand in marriage to a drug lord and a notorious criminal.
I have never seen Pamela this sad all her life, and ow she just has to pretend to be happy, and accept our parents wish because they gave birth to us? So disgusting.
While i was helping Pamela braid her hair, suddenly we heard the gates been opened, and these sets of luxurious vehicles began to troop in.
"Looks like they are finally here" I whispered to Pamela.
Immediately, I noticed the drop in Pamela's countenace. She was having any of this at all.
"Paulina, is it compulsory I show up for this introduction dinner? Can't I just run away?" Pamela saked me with tears in her eyes.
"Honey, you know that is not possible. I do not like to see you hurt or sad and I wish there was another way out of this, but running away is not the solution. You know how crazy papa can be, and you also know what he can do, so please let us play our cards well." I said.
"I hate that this happening to me. What have I done to deserve this treatment from Mum and Dad." Pam grumbled.
"It's going to be alright Pam. I am with you every step of the way, I want you to know that." I assured her.
After I was done with Pam's hair, we got dressed and headed towards the living room downstairs, to get the evening started. As we approached the living room, I told Pam to return back into the room because I felt that it was too early for her to be seen by her suitors.
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The room fell silent as Joseph Sega swept into the hall, his presence commanding attention. Dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, he exuded power and confidence, his eyes ablaze with intensity. Behind him trailed his loyal associates, each one a formidable figure in the MAfia world.
My father's face broke into a knowing smile as he greeted Joseph, clasping his hand in a firm handshake. "Joseph, you always know how to make an entrance hahaha" he chuckled, leading him to the head of the table.
Joseph returned the smile, his gaze flickering briefly to me, I met his eyes with a shy smile of mine, I instantly wished for the ground to swallow me up. "Mr Bowler, it's an honor to be here," he replied smoothly, his voice as smooth as silk.
I began to stare at the ceiling while the TV in the room droned on. Suddenly I zoned out and I could hardly hear the details of the ongoing conversation.
All I wish for right now is a life where I wasn't the daughter or family member of one of the most notorious mafia syndicate in the country.
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His screams as he begged my father for compassion, while I cowered like a leaf in the corner, were still fresh in my mind. I glanced down, observing my neatly painted nails and soft hands.
It had been stained with blood that day.
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I was pulled back to the present by the loud ticking of the clock.
I was so racked in guilt that my throat tightened and my breathing became laboured.
I instantly stood up, intending to run, but realising almost instantly that I had nowhere to go. I felt a surge of anger as I considered what my father is forcing my sister to do. It was as though the walls of the living room were closing up around me and I was going to suffocate if I remained where I was and so I dashed out blindly, heading to nowhere in particular; my breath coming out in short pants.
I rammed headlong into him; my future brother-in-law.
His arms wrapped around me right away. It was getting very dark, and I'm not sure how I knew he was the one. It had to do with his smell; anytime he was near, I couldn't help but inhale deeply since it was the most intoxicating thing I had experienced in a long time.
"Are you okay?" His deep baritone voice interrupted my thoughts.
The hairs on my neck stood on end as I stayed in his arms. My head was screaming for me to turn around and flee back to where I had come from, but I was unable to free myself and just stood there trembling like a leaf.
"You are shaking." He said, bringing my face up to meet his.
It was dark, as I mentioned, but I could picture his captivating blue eyes looking down at my face. I was instantly thankful for the darkness because it made me feel warm all over.
"I am fine, I was heading to the kitchen and you scared me." I said lamely, extricating myself from his strong grasp.
"Hello young woman, you will not speak like that to our guests. Now come back here and apologize" My father screamed at me.
I slid away and past him, my breasts brushing his arm.
"Paulina, can't you hear me?" Father said.
I ignored his call and increased my pace, I bit my tongue to keep the moan from escaping my throat and all, fled past the foyer and into the kitchen. It was probably just my being overly aware of the man but I could feel his stare follow me, boring into my back; branding me.
"Paulina, it is about time. You are always copped up in your room all day my sweet girl" my mamma said as soon as I entered the kitchen.
I smiled awkwardly and kissed her on the cheek, she hadn't called me 'sweet girl' in a while and I just thought maybe it was because I was older now and plenty things had changed since the incident.
"I'm sorry mamma, sometimes I just want to be alone." I told her, standing by the corner as I watched her cook.
She was always ever so delightful to watch in the kitchen that sometimes I think my papa married her only for her food.
My mamma had married Tommy Bowler, the most wanted mafia Lord and top criminal on the FBI's list but she always acted like she was some ordinary woman and married to a farmer. She always paid no mind to my papa's business affairs and in return she enjoyed every benefit befitting the wife of a president.
When I was younger, I used to hate her naivety and the way she so easily brushed off matters that should have been of utmost concern. Matters like my papa's affair with a top model in South Korea when he allegedly went on a business trip.
It was all over the news and when I had called my mamma's attention to it, she had merely shrugged and ushered my sister and I off to bed like it was nothing of concern.
My papa had returned with so many gifts and the matter was never spoken of; at least not to my hearing and I was angry at her for days until I realized it was her own way of coping with the situation and about her not being able to do anything about it.
"You are always day dreaming, your father is mighty angry at you." She said, glancing in my direction before returning her eyes to the cooking she had going on.
I rolled my eyes at the mention of my papa's name, he was always angry at me and so it wasn't a new thing. I wondered why my mother always mentioned it, it wasn't like I cared anymore.
"Papa is always angry at me; I don't see the big deal anymore. I am sure he is even angrier now after the stunt I just pulled" I told her.
"See the way you talk? No wonder the man is so unhappy.
What other stunt have you pulled again, Uhn? After what you did the last time"
The stunt was me eloping with the son of our then gardener and it had happened about a year ago but my mamma never failed to remind me of it and my papa made sure to tell everyone who cared to listen that I was ruined and soiled for life. What he failed to mention was that he had tortured and murdered the boy while I watched and he had made sure to send his body in a box to his family, warning them to get out of the country and far away from him while they could.
It has been over a year but I could still recall his screams and pleas for mercy as my papa cut off his fingers one after the other.
"That is for touching my precious daughter." He had said.
He had bundled a shocked me into his car without a word and had ordered his men to box the dissected mess that was once the boy. I was shivering by the time I got home and still without a word, he had carried me to my room and called my mamma to attend to me.
It was there and then; I was sure about the animal my papa was. I did not speak for days and when I finally did... when my senses finally returned from wherever they went to, I wept for the boy I had lost.
"I don't want to talk about it, mamma. I will be returning to my room." I told her and walked away but not before I heard her tell me to apologize to my papa.
Let it rest, it has been over a year, I thought as I shook my head.
"I should apologize to him for murdering someone else's son or for how he is treating Pamela by forcing her to get married to a criminal like himself?" I yelled
"I will not let tou speak like that about your father. Everything he has done and is doing, is to protect you and your sister. Never forget that. So now go get set for dinner"
As I burst out of the kitchen in anger, I bumped into him again but this time I was able to stop myself from fully crashing into the hulk of a man.
"I am so sorry, I did not see you there." I told him, glancing up to his face and immediately regretting it.
"If I did not know better, miss Bowler. I would think you are running into me on purpose." He said, his blue eyes lighting up with mischief.
I swallowed painfully as my mouth parted trying to form words, this was one dangerous man, and some part of me is kinda grateful that he was getting married to my sister and not me.
Two rival empires. One arranged marriage. A love forged in war. Mabel Ivolka, the ruthless Russian mafia princess, and Miguel Fredinard, the cold-hearted Italian mafia king, are sworn enemies forced into a marriage to end a decades-long war. But when betrayal strikes from within, their reluctant alliance turns into a dangerous game of trust, passion, and power. As hidden enemies close in and dark secrets unravel, Mabel and Miguel must decide-fight for their families or fight for each other. In a world where love is a weakness and loyalty is deadly, will they survive the fire, or will their love be their downfall?
Anderson Noah is a man the world admires-wealthy, powerful, and untouchable. Rumors say he cannot love, that his heart is frozen. But I know the truth. I've seen his love once-fierce, consuming, and devastating. He is the broken hero, haunted by a past he refuses to escape. And me? I'm the villain for daring to want him. But if loving him is a crime, I'll gladly be guilty. Because Anderson Noah isn't incapable of love-he's just afraid of it. And I'm willing to risk everything to prove it.
"You think you can control everything, Nora, but love isn't something you can just manipulate," Alonso said, his eyes dark with suspicion. "This isn't just about power anymore. It's about survival." When executive assistant Nora is kidnapped by Alonso, a powerful and dangerous mafia boss, she is thrust into a world of fear, power, and unexpected passion. As she reluctantly falls for him, she begins plotting to take over his empire, driven by a newfound ambition. Just as her plan is set to unfold, she discovers she's pregnant, throwing everything into chaos. Now, with betrayal on the horizon and a secret that could shatter everything, Nora must navigate a path to secure her future and that of her unborn childāif she can survive long enough.
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.
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.
"I, Riccardo Saviano, future Alpha of the Grey Shadow Moon Pack, reject you, Artemisia Guerrieri, Daughter of Alpha Franco of the Blood Moon Pack, as my mate and future Luna." One single sentence. One stupid single sentence was all it took to disintegrate my life. And the day of my birthday, on which this sentence was audaciously uttered to me, I lost the love of my life, my future mate, and my wolf, all at once. As I'm still assembling the pieces of my shattered heart years later, there they come. Like lightning out of a crystal blue sky. My Mates. But wait... If I am mated to triplets, how come I'm about to be mated to 5 gorgeous men? *** TW: explicit and foul language; spicy content; explicit sex scenes ***
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. Whatās worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldnāt thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesnāt seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that heās different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."