Abused by her previous boyfriend, Valeria, soon finds herself in the arms of the Mafia Prince. She has no idea who he really is, but he will protect her from everything. Her uncle has kept a secret about her true identity and then must reveal it to the Mafia godfather to protect her from the enemy. Valeria is an inspired chef that takes back her power that her previous boyfriend took from her. She loves that Salvatore loves everything about her and does not judge.
I just graduated from college. I majored in business. But what does a BA degree get you when you are low income? You will have to struggle in getting an interview anywhere. I have a student loan to pay off. I hated the classes I was taking but I had to get a business degree in order to pursue my passion to be the chef at my own restaurant. I was able to get a part time job to pay for somethings. I only have a small studio apartment if that is what you want to call it. The streetlights need to be repaired. There are broken sidewalks, and the buildings are pretty much vacant.
Okay, yeah, it is a small studio that is part of an old warehouse. My uncle let me rent the room above.
I hardly ever seen my uncle. He would stop at the warehouse once a month, have a meeting with a bunch of men and then gone again. I wonder if her ever remembered I lived upstairs. Not that I mattered to anyone. I always felt like I was an outsider in my own family. My parents abandoned me when I was sixteen. I was able to get a part time job at the local supermarket to support myself.
Uncle Vito told me to stay in the small studio until he moved up and was able to buy a house, whatever that meant. Usually, when the cars started to show up for the 'meeting', I would simply either lock my door and turn on the music or just leave building, using the backstair entrance.
Today, I found a message from my uncle to set up the tables and place wine bottles and glassed at each table. Along with bruschetta, antipasto skewers and Italian meatballs. He also mentioned that I would be serving everyone there. I quickly put my apron on and went downstairs to prepare everything. The warehouse had a large kitchen that was stocked for today's meeting.
I quickly put the seasoned meatballs in the slow cooker and assembled the antipasto skewers with cherry tomatoes, olives, artichoke hearts, spinach, fresh mozzarella balls, roasted bell peppers and Italian bread brushed with olive old and grilled.
I made a simple classic Italian bruschetta with tomatoes, parmesan cheese, garlic and fresh basil. I drizzled balsamic vinegar and olive oil lightly. I set water pitchers out as well. I never opened the wine bottles until I received permission from the guests after seating.
Meatballs were ready, so I put picks in them so it would be easier to eat. I set all of the tables. Which were five large round tables in total with eight chairs at each one. I double checked all of the tables and walked back into the kitchen.
I changed my apron to a black apron. As soon as I fixed my hair up into a tight bun, I heard voices in the meeting area. I quickly walked back and found the men were walking in to be seated. I quickly walked over to the first table and pulled out a chair for a very tall gentleman to sit and he held up a hand. Which meant his guard would seat him. I simply nodded and walked back to the serving table.
I never made eye contact with anyone that came here. I heard the snap of fingers and I quickly walked over to the table and the guard said to serve his boss. I nodded quickly and assembled his plate. I tilted my head up a bit at the guard, never making eye contact. "The wine sir? Shall I open it?"
The guard nodded, so I opened the bottle and set it back in the bottle holder. Most of the time the guards served their bosses. I quickly walked over to the next table as the next group of men walked in. Most of the other guards stood in the background close to their bosses.
Time flew by as everyone was served. My uncle walked in and nodded to me. I quickly walked to the back entrance and closed the door. I walked as fast as I could up the stairs and into my studio. I closed the door and locked it. I put my music on, and I decided to clean my shower. I scrubbed it clean and put clean towels up the towels. I stripped my bed down and changed the sheets. Going to need to do laundry soon. I was getting ready to scrub the stove clean when my phone buzzed.
I had my headset on with the earbud for music and I checked the message. It was from my uncle to come back downstairs. Oh crap, what did I do? I was starting to re-think everything, every step in making the food. Dammit. Oh crap, they hate the food. Did I screw something up?
Now is not the time to panic. I squared my shoulders and stood straight up. I made my way back to the kitchen and my uncle was laughing with a man that was smiling.
"Yes, uncle. You called for me?" Still looking down. My nerves were shot.
"Yes, Valeria. This is Giancarlo Barone. The Mafia Godfather. He would like a word with you."
What the hell? Me? Seriously? My whole body stiffened.
"He liked your food very much and is offering you a job in his pub and would like for you to serve these types of appetizers to his customers." My uncle said with a proud tone.
"Valeria, my dear. It is very nice to meet you. I must say, your cooking reminds me of my mother's cooking."
"Thank you, sir. I am honored to meet you. How can I be of assistance for you sir?" I kept my head tilted down and was so afraid to make eye contact. My eyes bounced from my feet to his tie."
"First, please, do not be afraid. Look at me, my dear." Giancarlo said softly.
My hands were shaking. I slowly looked up and my uncle then to Giancarlo. He smiled at me. He was very good looking for an older man. His eyes were soft, and he had a gentle smile. This man was to mafia godfather, and he asked to speak with me?
My uncle nodded and excused himself. I was left alone with the mafia godfather. Christ. I feel my body starting to sway, geez! Valeria do not pass out! I kept repeating in my mind.
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Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
Mia's life is spiraling out of control. Abandoned by her mother, bullied mercilessly at school, and thrown into a household of four dangerously attractive stepbrothers, she's desperate to find her footing. "You look absolutely edible," Sean growled, his eyes devouring her. Mia felt a rush of heat between her thighs "Oh, you think so?" she purred, turning to face him. She reached out and traced her fingers along the ribbon that wrapped around his waist. "Well, I've been waiting for this all day. And I'm starving." Sean's smile grew into a predatory grin. "Then let us feast," he said, and in a flash, the ribbon fell away, exposing his rock-hard length. He stepped closer, and Mia felt the warmth of his breath on her face as he whispered, "You're going to take every inch of us tonight, aren't you?" With Rolex's teasing smirk and Sean's quiet, hot stares, Mia doesn't know where to turn-or who to trust. Every glance, every touch leaves her breathless, confused, and craving more than she should. Will Mia survive their games, or will she lose herself in a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and forbidden desire? One house. Four brothers. Endless temptation.
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
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."