• This story is Book III of The Heir's Secrets [Mafia Games 1] • Ready to take on the world of medicine, Mykaela is forced to confront the secrets of her past while fearing the possibility of losing her best friend Miles, the heir to a wealthy and secretive Italian vampire clan. To keep Mykaela safe, Miles Falco must choose his future and risk it all with the Falcos or find a one-way ticket out of the perilous mafia life he's always hated. Lorenzio Tomassini is a shrewd, wealthy businessman with ties to the Italian mafia. After a death in their clan, he pursues a quiet life in America as his brother faces prison time for orchestrating heinous crimes in Italy. When a public health crisis hits major cities, Mykaela and Lorenzio struggle with the demands of their careers as the wrath of the Italian and Russian mob lurks in the shadows. Will their families' ongoing turf war tear them apart? Or will their love turn into nothing but a marriage of convenience? × GENRES: Contemporary Romance / Mafia / Vampire × MATURE readers only! ◆ cover design: mxian [DISCLAIMER: The original images on the cover are not mine.]
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2022
by M Xian
Scenes, characters, dialogues and events in this story are all invented.
This story contains mature themes, profanity, graphic violence and graphic sexual content not intended for young readers.
Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this story or plagiarism of any kind is prohibited by the law.
••••••••••••
This is the first draft of Book III of The Heir's Secrets, my first mafia romance story.
Like the sequel, this is also written in 1st person narrative. If you've come this far and have read Book I and Book II, thanks a million!
❤ Your continued support and interest in my stories is what keeps me going.
For the new readers' sake, the first few chapters (all free!) contain scenes from the first two books in this mafia romance series to provide some context and background info on the main characters' relationships.
Some chapters in this book contain Italian dialogue [but not pivotal to the plot]. Translations are written inside brackets [ ].
Buckle up, friends! Enjoy Book III!
• • • • • • • •
Main Characters
• • • • • • • •
• Mykaela "Kel" Leviste Nielsen
• Lorenzio "Enzo" Russo Tomassini
• Maximiliano "Miles" / "Maxim" Cruza Falco
• •••••••••• •
P R E V I E W
• •••••••••• •
• E N Z O •
After decades of living with my family's dark secrets, I settled with the fact that a future with her just isn't possible. Nothing but a selfish wish.
Yet I held onto hope. No matter what they all thought, no one else in this world could fill this dull, hopeless void I've tried to accept as my fate for being a Tomassini.
The first time we kissed, I knew I was done for. She's my kryptonite.
It's almost insane. How much I want her. How much I miss her. How much she makes me wish for a better future for us.
I knew forever was too much to ask--I didn't need to hear why. Besides her stubborn feelings for her best friend, I always knew she wouldn't stay. And I don't blame her.
It just pains me to think that the only woman I ever wanted this much is the one who could tear my whole family apart.
Falling for the enemy's daughter...
Putting my own brother in prison...
Betraying my flesh and blood...
I broke every single one of the clan's rules.
They all think I'm just a self-centered bastard and Mykaela should keep out of my chaotic life. But I don't care anymore. I just want her.
I would give up everything. Do anything it takes. I'll make her believe in us again. Make her see the whole picture.
I need to make her choose me.
•
• K E L •
We're just not meant to be.
The quiet, normal, happy life I wanted and dreamed for us... It was just that. A dream. Too good to be true.
It's not entirely his fault. My life and priorities were to blame, too. The fact that monogamy wasn't his thing didn't help, either.
Then again I always knew. I should've known better than to give it my all.
My dreams. My heart. My soul. For him, I would've done anything. I was about to put my entire career on hold just to make him happy.
Then other things got in the way. Bigger, messier, life-threatening circumstances. Now it's all clear as day: a real marriage with him--just out of the question.
Yet my broken heart still wants to try. Give it another shot. Test fate and everything else. Idiotic, but, my heart never really listened to logic and common sense. It's no longer a matter of right or wrong.
It's crazy and stupid to take such a huge risk. To challenge everyone and everything telling me to face reality and move on... But I just can't imagine a life without him.
I want Enzo back. I miss him. I need him. Our love deserves another chance.
•
• M I L E S •
This world deserves to go down in flames.
I'm no hero by any means. My crimes warrant lifelong punishment, in fact. But these idiots had it coming. There's just one too many selfish, corrupt bastards who refuse to acknowledge right from wrong. Including my family of wealthy crooks.
So I pushed my best friend away. For good. It's time I learned to live without her.
Kel doesn't need me anyway. Not anymore. She needs a better future. A better life. Somewhere far and quieter than mine.
I'm nothing but a disappointment and years of baggage she can do without. A quiet, normal married life in New York suits her better. Being with someone like me would only get her and her family killed.
Or I just need a better shrink to "fix" me and my brain, like Mamma said.
Removing the Tomassinis from the face of the Earth remains one of my priorities. But for Kel's safety and happiness, Lorenzio can stay off my hitlist.
Unless he makes her cry. Or he does some stupid shit that puts her and her family at risk.
We made a deal. I've given him enough chances.
If he breaks his word or her heart, I'd gladly introduce him to his God. My guns won't be necessary. Won't be the first time, either.
I got nothing left to lose. I already sold my soul.
••••••••
He is the son of a mafia boss. She is someone he never expected to meet and fall for, but she complicates his life when her existence becomes a threat to his family's empire. . . . 24-year-old receptionist and college dropout Seraphine "Sephie" Azur meets Dominico Tomassini on her boss' superyacht. Dominico is her secret crush, the heir of an Italian banker and real estate mogul. During a party thrown by the Tomassinis, a violent incident thrusts Seraphine into his family's web of secrets. When Dominico is forced to take Seraphine to Florence to keep an eye on her, he ensures her safety and lends her money while they live together as part of a clandestine agreement. After long, painful months of pining for his love, Seraphine abandons her end of the deal, desperate to find freedom and true love. Will she escape the Tomassini heir's tenacious grip and get her own life back? Or will her stubborn feelings for Dominico keep her trapped in his messy, dangerous life? [Crime / Romance]
• BILLIONAIRE / ROMANCE / MAFIA • 18+ ONLY • They say "Home is where the heart is". Eilyn Han, heiress to a billionaire's empire, would beg to differ. Her artistic, free-spirited nature wouldn't let her fall prey to the allure of corporate greed. But she is still a Han. And no matter what, family comes first. Unfortunate news about her brother forces Eilyn back to Manila. When Axell—her mysterious new escort—decides to take over, his choices thrust her into a perilous web of vengeful mobsters and clan secrets. • A bodyguard by profession, Axell seeks new opportunities as he rebuilds his life in Manila after a messy past. To support his family, he cuts a deal with Mr. Han, a billionaire—a deal that threatens Axell's life and could endanger his family in Britain. When Axell meets the billionaire's daughter for the first time, fate tests their strengths and entwines their paths with a group of thugs out for blood. Will Axell keep her safe? Or will his dark secrets lead to their doom?
After moving back to New York to pursue her medical degree, Mykaela navigates her way through a dangerous web of lies and family secrets while contemplating a long-distance relationship with Miles, her best friend. Maximiliano “Miles” Falco, an artist turned corporate drone, wants a quiet life away from his family of big-time criminals planning to reign all of Italy. He wants the best for Mykaela—but that means pushing her away so he can deal with his own demons and envious mobsters awaiting his family's downfall. Enzo Tomassini is a businessman whose family of billionaires has teamed up with the Falcos to dominate organized crime in Europe. On the verge of death, he meets Mykaela who changes his perspective on where his life is headed, burdening him with a moral dilemma that leaves him questioning his family's choices. Will their chosen paths grant the desires of their hearts? • Genres: Contemporary Romance, Billionaire, Crime, LGBTQIA+ • Rating: 18+ • This story is the sequel to The Heir's Secrets [Mafia Games XI] •
After moving to Italy, Mykaela pursues a modeling career with Miles Falco's help and a newfound sense of normalcy. All seems well and routine until unforeseen circumstances ruin the illusion and force her back to New York. Miles Falco, an artist enjoying the Italian countryside, must choose between the simple life he loves and being successor to a clan of influential businessmen contending for power in all of Europe. Can he escape his predetermined fate? A life of deceit, chaos, and deadly encounters with the mafia? â—† PG-15 â—† Genres: Mafia, Romance, Crime, Mystery â—† cover design: mxian
Jessiah is a make-up artist aspiring to break into the modeling and beauty industry. She moves to LA when she lands a job at one of the biggest production companies in Hollywood. On her first week on the job, she meets Jenson Ross, a big-deal actor and director with a dark secret only a privileged few know about. × Genres: Contemporary Romance, Werewolf, Crime, Drama × Rating: PG-15 EXCERPT: EXCERPT from BOOK I _ _ _ "Dollface," he murmured with a little smirk. Now his hand gripped her forearm. He snickered when she only kept staring, then pulled her closer to hug her. "You're like an antidepressant, in human form." The utter surprise paused her breathing. She couldn't pull away. Her heartbeat sped up when he hugged her tighter. His warm face pressed onto the side of her neck, his hand lightly squeezing her hip. His beard scraped her skin, his thighs touched hers, and she felt like he was kissing her neck. Shit. He was no longer thinking straight. Perhaps unaware of the consequences of his actions. It was moments like this that worsened her intense attraction to him.  The flirty jokes, the easy conversations, the small smiles, his furtive glances, and his unusually sweet gestures lately just convinced her she was definitely in deep trouble. Amid her loud thoughts, he pulled her closer whenever she pulled away. Her breathing grew shallow while she stared into his eyes. "Dammit," he sighed while he gripped her arms. Then his thumb traced the curve of her neck and shoulder, his touch both gentle and eager. "Why are you always so f-cking beautiful?" "Joss—" "What?" he muttered while stroking her cheek. He wasn't acting drunk or just playing with her. Otherwise he wouldn't let it get this far. "You want me to stop?" _
While Sienna reached the pinnacle of her success, Julian remained the forgotten son of his family, the one who had secretly stolen her first kiss in the shadows of the night. As Sienna hit her darkest moment, Julian returned home, leaving his life behind, only to witness her tears glistening in the moonlight as she reluctantly accepted another man's proposal. When Sienna needed Julian more than ever, he had risen to a position of power and had become her most steadfast pillar of support. "Please marry me." There was no one else in the world who could love Sienna as deeply as Julian did.
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
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!
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
On the day of the wedding, Brendan left me and went to find his true love. When I called him, he, who had always been gentle to me, showed impatience for the first time, saying, "It's just a wedding, I'll make it up to you when I get back." Feeling disheartened, I suggested calling off the wedding. Brendan thought I was just being stubborn, and in the face of friends' advice, he said, "It's okay, when she calms down, she will come find me." It wasn't until Edrence, the prince, posted our marriage certificate that Brendan suddenly went crazy and came knocking on my door. When he saw the man who opened the door, he was slightly stunned. And I, standing behind the man, with a blush still on my face, leaned forward and asked, "Nephew, what brings you to see your auntie so late?"