Seeing him so close to her, she struggled to cover her dismay about his boldness. Gabriella swallowed hard. "Stay away from me." He could see the pulse beating in her throat, he could see the tiny fleck of fear and nervousness. Without thinking, he covered her mouth with his and for an instant, she yielded to his hunger, she responded as if all the past disagreement they had meant nothing. He had expected resistance, anticipated ice. Instead he got fire, and it scorched through his blood, his only thought was tangling in the sheets with her.. Gabriella jerked her mouth away and slapped him hard. "Don't ever touch me again." Silvers of ice rose in her gaze as she shot him a glare that should have sliced him to the bone before walking away- then broke into a run as adrenaline filled her vein. She had just slapped Alessandro Romano, the most powerful man in the country. Alessandro watched her go, feeling ragged and edgy with desire. "You won't get away from me, Wildcat." * He was the boss of the underworld. At the sight of his mask and gun, everyone trembled. No one wanted to be his enemy. The man had developed two hundred and sixty torturing methods and he could do all of this without batting an eye, he doesn't give empty threats. He was a monster. A monster that should never be angered or he would become your worst nightmare. When she was born, the devil exclaimed 'Oh shit! Competition.' She could be sweet as sugar, cold as ice but if you hurt her, she would show you things worse than death. Some days she could be as meek as a dove, other days, she's a bitch that you should not cross or the even the devil will weep on your behalf. He was Alessandro Romano, a powerful man to the public and Maschera, a masked mafia king in the underworld. He was used to taking what he wanted. Born to lead a powerful mafia family, he was not in the habit of asking for permission-or forgiveness. Willing to cross any boundary when it came to possessing what he considered to be his, Alessandro knew Gabriella was meant for him from the moment he laid eyes on her. She is Gabriella D' Angelo, a not so simple girl. Alessandro finds himself instantly attracted to Gabriella as she matched his fire and is the only one fit to be his queen. She is out to get revenge for something relating to her past, irrespective of the cost and isn't ready for any committed relationship. Their paths crossed and Alessandro is not willing to give up while Gabriella is defiant. Sparks fly and causes a collision followed by an explosion and what started off as a contract relationship would create a love that could stand the test of time. Would Gabriella's revenge plan jeopardize the blooming love that they share? Would she be able to adapt to the dark side of her lover and rule alongside him?
Predator, Prey
He was the predator, his unfortunate enemies were his preys. "Everything has a cause and effect," Every gang leader in the country who was under him was present at the moment. He knew most of the people present in the room feared him more than they respected him but some of them are still crazy enough to defy his rules. He was a man with an insatiable hunger for power and he would do anything to achieve what he sets his mind on, not that he gave a damn about what anyone says.
He was wearing a black outfit and a silver mask which only revealed half of his face. A terrifying smile placed across his face but it didn't reach his eyes, an icy air of command hung about him making everyone present in the room lower their heads in respect. His ruthlessness and predatory mind gave him reputation among the rest of his kind. Half of his face might be covered but the powerful aura he radiates made him mysterious and dark.
"Oh I would pity those of you who dared to cross me, I can assure you that your ends would be spectacular." The Capos glanced at each other and swallowed. A shiver of dread ran down their spines. They might be the most powerful men in their cities but in front of Maschera, they were nothing. His dangerous aura was intimidating to no end.
"I didn't know that some of you wanted me dead so bad."
The Capos all dropped to one knee, their right hand on their chest to show submission. Planning to kill the leader of the underworld was treason. "We pledge our loyalty to you."
Maschera stared at them without saying anything. And in that terrible silence, their fear grew causing them to shiver in a thick layer of cold sweat. Panic jarred their bones, making them tremble. No one wanted to be the enemy of Maschera. The guy had developed 260 torturing methods and he can do all of this without batting an eye, he doesn't give empty threats and whatever is says is law. He was a monster
"Hmm perhaps I shall take the preventive measure of separating the traitor's body from his head". He replied in his deep toned, manly voice that sent ripples of shiver through them. They knew he did not possess a soft bone in his body and he had proved it anytime he amputated someone limb from limb like he was studying the human body.
Life was a battle, only the strong survived.
He stood up from his throne and strode towards the Capos who were kneeling with their heads lowered. He found who he was looking for, his unfortunate victim, Rafael Castillo. He was kneeling at the far end, the Boss crouched in front of him and whispered in his ears. "I heard you've been having a lot of fun lately, care to share some of your experience with me?"
Rafael eyes widened as his heart dropped to his stomach. The statement made blood drain from his face. "Was..Wh..What.. are..y..you...ta.. talking....ab..about"
"Did you enjoy deceiving and betraying me and at the same time couldn't you spare those kids?"
"I'm sorry" Rafael pleaded. He knew the punishment for betraying the Boss, even if Maschera was merciful, the punishment for killing kids unjustifiably was not petty.
"Hmm wrong answer".
Rafael stood up suddenly and started running towards the door. Maschera sighed and took out his gun from his pocket, he didn't understand why they always ran as if they could escape the grim ripper.
"Run, Run..oops I missed" He taunted before the sounds of gunshot echoed in the room. "We both know that I cannot kill you at this moment but I shall have a fun time trying.
The moment Rafael reached the door, it was closed by the guards there, his eyes widened and he trotted around the large space like a guinea fowl to dodge the bullets. Maschera was toying with him, he never missed a shot but the fact that he kept missing Rafael by a centimeter showed how he was playing with him.
Rafael's face ashen but Maschera didn't stop. He kept shooting the bullet in his direction without care, a bullet hit his calf and he yelled out in pain.
"Fuck" he cursed and limped around. He started trembling like a leaf in the rain, with no other option left, he started crying, he stood at a spot shivering and wincing at every pull.
"Please have mercy". Hot tears of shame slid down his cheeks while he pleaded for forgiveness. His legs gave out and he crouched on the floor, covering his ears. The inner torment was visible on his face. Despair twisted and turned inside him, the fear ate away his sanity reducing him to a gibbering wreck. He has never been this scared in his life. "I'm sorry." He pleaded with hopes that he'll be forgiven and pardoned but that possibility was as slim as thin ice.
"No you're not sorry, you're just scared for your pathetic little life". Then he said coldly to the others in the room. "Watch what happens to those who betray me and if any of you continue to defy me, your lives will be reduced to an unending sequence of agonizing torture then you'll meet an end so cruel that the devil will weep."
He grabbed a few sharp equipment's and began cutting Rafael's clothes off his body, slicing his body in the process.
Rafael screamed but the other Capos in the room turned a blind eye to him, no one wants to risk offending the boss at this moment or his death anniversary would be the same time next year.
"Keep your mouth shut or I'll show you things worse than death."
Maschera finally removed Rafael's underpants, baring him naked in front of everyone. He then stuffed the underpants in Rafael's mouth, silencing his screams.
"Let's begin, shall we?." He smirked devilishly. "Tell me, have you ever been skinned alive?".
Ten minutes later,
Maschera looked at his work and nodded in satisfaction, Rafael was tied to a pole, his eyes blackened, his nose broken and his lips swollen. His body was stained with blood, all of his fingers and toes chopped off and were lying in the floor, an IV line was secured to his brachial vein. He had blood transfusion on the left and fluids on the right.
The fun just started so he shouldn't die yet.
"Ring around the roses, a pocket full of guns, thought you were pretty foxy, didn't you?" Maschera taunted. Rafael was barely breathing, his eyes were closed. The fact that he was still alive was a mystery after all his tongue had been burnt since he was making too much noise.
Maschera waved, indicating to one of the guards to come over. He came over with a bowl containing hot, steaming water. With no sense of pity, Maschera grabbed the back of Rafael's head and put his face in the water.
Rafael screamed as he gasped for air, his face was now red and burnt. Maschera chuckled, he was enjoying this more than he should "See, it wasn't that hard to wake up". The fear in Rafael's eyes excited him. He glanced at a clock and frowned. 2am.
"Please kill me, just end it all." Rafael tried to beg but the words were incoherent In his heart, he knew that it was futile as he had watched so many others in his current situation. The end of it all was death but he was so scared. The fear in his eyes could no longer be concealed.
He had messed with the wrong person and the consequences is death. No need for a trial.
Maschera had a smirk on his face, as his eyes swept past each and everyone in the room. "You all think I have become more lenient by overlooking some of your activities Giusto?" Everyone froze, no one dared to speak. "I allowed you to bend the rules but you should never break them." His icy tone of voice made everyone present pale, it was as if there were guns pointed behind their head and the order to shoot was lingering in the air.
" Mi dispiace, I am sorry. Spare my life Maschera." Rafael yelled out in pain as a guard appeared with another bowl of hot steaming water. Maschera was not merciful nor did he pity the man before him. There was no emotion on his face as he once again grabbed the back of Rafael's head and put his face in the water.
"I hate loose ends the most," The Boss also known as Maschera said with a sigh. A guard handed him a revolver which he accepted with a smirk. "It's best to snip them off."
Maschera fired, aiming at his victim's stomach. Rafael's eyes widened in surprise, then glazed with pain. The unbelievable fire of the pain. "You disappoint me Mr Castillo, did you take me for a fool? Do you think so much of yourself that you believed that I would take your pathetic excuses and wish you Buona fortuna?"
Maschera shot Rafael's left kneecap, then his right. Rafael's thin scream of pain faded away into whispers. "I would have killed you quickly if you hadn't insulted my intelligence. Now it may take you hours, hours of agony and it's not enough." Rafael groaned in pain, too deep in shock to realize that his pleas were useless. "Betrayal is unforgivable."
He turned around, walking towards the entrance. "Let him bleed to death first and remember, if disaster follows you, don't think of escaping." Maschera left the room with his guards trailing behind him, leaving the other men in shock. No matter how many times they had seen the Boss torture someone, it always caused fear to engulf their soul.
*
*
The novel follows the story of Sophie, a 19-year-old who is just moving to a new town with her parents. On their way there, their car breaks down, and they are rescued by Jackson, a federal marshal. Sophie is attracted to Jackson, but little do they know that they will soon become neighbors and colleagues. After a night of drinking, they have a one-night stand and agree to keep it casual since they work together. However, they soon become close friends where the sexual tension between them becomes undeniable. Jackson realizes he has feelings for Sophie but Sophie is hesitant about their age difference. Their relationship becomes more complicated as they try to balance their personal and professional lives. They struggle with mixed signals and insecurities about their age difference.
Renee is an ordinary, abused, maltreated, broken human girl who is abused constantly by her father. To prevent suspicions the relocate to different cities every three months. She is naive and lacks confidence to stand up for herself and that makes her a target for bullies in the highschools she attends but all they is about to change when she mistakenly meets Josh Woods, the alpha king who claims her for his.
I know that you might not believe me but I want you to know that this is my real life story....well not actually my story but it ended up being mine so I might as well accept it as mine cause there's no way I can go back no matter how much I try. So if you don't believe me, you can as well stop reading......... seeing as you aren't gonna stop, don't say that I didn't warn you. Now let's have a quick flashback.
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
"You're my wife in name only, on paper only. My heart and love will never be yours." Edward made it clear to Daisy that she was nothing to him. They were both victims of family greed -- the marriage was arranged for them. Six years passed. She remained quiet, gaining a reputation in the army as a tough-as-nails colonel. When she walked into his life again, Edward fell in love with this woman, unlike any he had known. She surprised and delighted him. But will Daisy take him back? Can their son keep them together? Can the rift between them be healed? Pick this one up and find out!
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
"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 ***
Iris grew from an orphaned child to the adopted daughter of the Stewart family at age ten, finding warmth in her nominal uncle Vincent's kindness. Seven years later, she became his secret lover. When Vincent's engagement was announced, gossip spread about the notorious playboy CEO finally settling down. But only Iris knew the extent of his cold, two-faced nature. Iris fell for Vincent and, through tears, begged, "Marry me," only to be met with his frosty refusal. Defeated, she accepted a lawyer's proposal, sparking public excitement. Then, on her wedding day, Vincent pleaded desperately, "Don't marry him…"