Amidst the lethal shadows of the Mafia, Maria Giovanni, escapes the dark claws of her father's enemies who seek to claim her life. In her quest for survival, she falls in love with a mysterious man. She believes in a new beginning until she finds herself pregnant for another man. A ruthless Don. Marco, a mysterious man, who chooses a lone path outside of his father's shadows but soon realizes the need for his father's power to save a woman he falls in love with, ready to sacrifice anything to keep her. What happens when he finds out about her deceit and lies? The woman he loves dearly turns out to be his greatest enemy. Will their love survive the dangerous game of the Mafia, or will they be torn apart forever? What would be the fate of the innocent child born into danger and rivalry?
Maria
An almost flat phone battery, ripped wedding dress, and horror are all I have, as I stumble on the rusty iron gate that leads to my father's house.
I pull my way into the old mansion covered in darkness, pulling down the creeping stems that covered the front door.
Some group of people have been trailing me since the mysterious death of my father earlier in the day. Hanging on a tiny thread of hope for survival, the best place I could think of for an escape is an abandoned property.
My phone vibrates as I glance behind, forcing my way into the building. I pick the call and slam the door shut. Dust settling over me from the harsh impact of the door against the crumbling building.
"Where are you, Maria."
"I'm at Pentagon," I reply, my whole body trembling as I slowly walk In, my eyes weary of tears.
"You went back there?"
"I couldn't think of a better hideout."
"Okay. Do not leave the mansion. I'll be there soon," his thick voice assures at the other end of the line.
"No...No...you can't come anywhere close. They'll kill you," I sob, falling on my knees as the memories flood back into my mind. I desperately need companion, but I could not bear the thought of bringing him into such a world as mine.
I hoped for freedom, instead, a pack of power hungry factions are after my life.
The last thing I intended was to allow Elvis anywhere close to my father's dark world.
He's a sweet gentleman, deserving of something more. Certainly, not a girl like me. Daughter of a ruthless don. The wedding was his idea of giving me a new life. How stupid of me to think of such possibility?
It would never be safe for him no matter how good his plan sounds. What was I ever thinking...that a girl like me could lead a normal life?
We planned a perfect small wedding. A happy ever after, far away from the claws of my father and his world. Until I was kidnapped right in the cathedral.
What should have been a fairy-tale wedding, turned out to be a bloodbath.
Unlike Elvis, I am now a murderer, no different from my late father.
So soon. Too soon, my wild imaginations of a perfect life have brought only pain to the man I always loved and a few others that died at the chapel.
"I don't care what they are, Maria. I'm coming for you. If they really want you dead, then they'll have to pass through me first." A new text from Elvis.
I try to call back. To stop him from making the mistake of his life. But my phone shuts down.
The damned phone dies. What now?
There's no stopping Elvis. His kind of love could be what every girl wishes for.
But who are my kidding? Elvis is weak. He could never stand against men like these. Men, strong enough to subdue a man like my father. The great Giovanni.
I would never be able to forgive myself, if Elvis becomes another victim in this clash.
A prolonged creaky sound comes from outside.
I jerk up from the cold ground, wrapping my arms around my shivering body, backing away from the direction of the sound. My eyes are fixed on the entrance.
They are here. A weapon is useless for defense, even if I had one on me.
I only pray for a less painful torture.
And with the Mafias, it is an impossible wish.
"Don't hurt me!" I scream with my eyes shut right as the door gives way to a faint ray of the setting sun outside.
"Maria," i hear my name. It doesn't sound threatening. It's the same charming voice I fell for some two years ago. I open my eyes to my beloved, as he rushes towards me for an embrace.
I bury my face in his suits, in tears. He still looks as charming as he did when he stood at the altar before the awful incidence.
"I'm sorry, Elvis..."
"You stay quiet, honey. If there's anyone to apologize, it's me. I'm sorry I was late,"
He replies, raising my chin and placing a kiss on my trembling lips.
"Your beloved husband is here now. Nothing can separate us. Not even your father..."
I pull away from his embrace instantly, with eyes filled with tears. He didn't know about it.
"They killed him."
I try to fight the tears as I break the news. The news I saw on the news myself, disguised as suicide. I know my father too well to believe the media.
"I think they are after me because I'm the only heir. And then they'll come for you because you have me," I add.
Our eyes meet as i speak, backing away from him.
"This thing..." I point at Elvis and then myself, "...Can't work. We've got to go our separate ways. It's the only way you can be safe."
I can hear the shattering of my heart as I speak the words. But it's the only way out.
"You don't know what you're saying, Maria. I wasn't kidding at the altar when I made those vows. We have a plane to catch for our honeymoon. So would you keep quiet and stick to the plan?" He insists, closing the gap between us as he reaches for my hand.
"By the way I'm sorry about your father."
"The same plan that almost got me killed, Elvis. It's a miracle I escaped them."
I pull away again, "Don't you get it! Your life is in danger because of me. You have to go! Leave this town!"
"That's exactly what I'm doing, Maria. I'm leaving this town but not without my newly wedded wife. The cops are outside. We have their protection. Now, would you please..."
Tears escape the corners of his eyes as his words trail off. His sincerity, deep affection gives me a false sense of protection but I know better.
The cops are not enough to protect us. But, I let myself fall for the delusions as we walk out of the darkness into a fleet of cop cars.
The ground outside is covered in flashing siren lights, as some armed cops approach us to guide us into one of the convoys.
Just as Elvis reaches for the car door, a loud explosion blast into the night, suspending my senses for what seems like a minute as I find my body face-down to the ground, my hands clasped above my head.
Athena, a young Omega werewolf, hides in the shadows of a pack that despises females. But when the Alpha discovers her existence, she's forced to flee for her life. Captured by Dante, a Lycan prince, she expects death. Instead, a forbidden bond forms between them. A dangerous love affair with deadly secrets and mistakes. Will their love thrive or will their worlds tear them apart?
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."
Loraine was a dutiful wife to Marco since they got married three years ago. However, he treated her like trash. Nothing she did softened his heart. One day, Loraine got fed up with it all. She asked him for a divorce and left him to enjoy with his mistress. The elites looked at her like she was deranged. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you so willing to divorce him?" "It's because I need to return home to get a billion-dollar fortune. Besides, I don't love him anymore," Loraine replied with a smile. They all laughed at her. Some believed that the divorce affected her mentally. It wasn't until the next day that they realized she wasn't fibbing. A woman was suddenly declared the world's youngest female billionaire. It turned out to be Loraine! Marco was shocked to the bone. When he met his ex-wife again, she was a changed person. A group of handsome young men surrounded her. She was smiling at them all. The sight made Marco's heart ache severely. Putting his pride aside, he tried to win her back. "Hello, love. I see that you are a billionaire now. You shouldn't be with suckers who just want your money. How about you come back to me? I'm a billionaire too. Together, we can build a strong empire. What do you say?" Loraine squinted at her ex-husband with her lips curled in disgust.
In their three years of marriage, Chelsea had been a dutiful wife to Edmund. She used to think that her love and care would someday melt Edmund's cold heart, but she was wrong. Finally, she couldn't take the disappointment any longer and chose to end the marriage. Edmund had always thought that his wife was just boring and dull. So it was shocking when Chelsea suddenly threw divorce papers at his face in front of everyone at the Nelson Group's anniversary party. How humiliating! After that, everyone thought that the formerly-married couple would never see each other again, even Chelsea. Once again, she thought wrong. Sometime later, at an award ceremony, Chelsea went onstage to accept the award for best screenplay. Her ex-husband, Edmund, was the one presenting the award to her. As he handed her the trophy, he suddenly reached for her hand and pleaded humbly in front of the audience, "Chelsea, I'm sorry I didn't cherish you before. Could you please give me another chance?" Chelsea looked at him indifferently. "I'm sorry, Mr. Nelson. My only concern now is my business." Edmund's heart was shattered into a million pieces. "Chelsea, I really can't live without you." But his ex-wife just walked away. Wasn't it better for her to just concentrate on her career? Men would only distract her—especially her ex-husband.
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
**This book contains a trigger warning. Mention about rape and torture in this book. Please read with caution** "Our marriage is nothing but a deal," he said looking at the girl, her green eyes met his cold silver eye, and both of them glared at each other. "For any rules you break, I will claim any part of your body," his gaze grew dangerously darker at his word. Ashley Harlow was at the top of the world, living the perfect and luxurious lifestyle as the legitimate daughter of the well-known Daniel Harlow. But sadly, a one-night stand put an end to that and brought her life upside down and that of her family's name to the ground. To restore his family's reputation, she was forced into marrying Damien Albrecht, a young, ruthless, obnoxious, brutal billionaire and the head of a mafia gang in exchange for her father's company.
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."