Detective Nancy Drew is no stranger to the darkest corners of New Orleans, but when a series of brutal murders shakes the city, she finds herself chasing a killer unlike any she's ever encountered. The victims are drained of blood, their bodies marked by strange wounds that defy explanation. As Nancy dives deeper into the investigation, she's led to a mysterious man named Lucien-an enigmatic figure who claims to know the truth behind the killings. Lucien reveals a terrifying secret: the killer is not human. A rogue vampire is on the loose, preying on the city's unsuspecting inhabitants. Faced with a world she never believed in, Nancy must join forces with Lucien, a vampire bound by his own code of honor, to hunt down the creature before more lives are lost. But as she delves into the hidden world of the undead, Nancy discovers that the line between predator and protector is dangerously thin. With her heart-and her life-on the line, she must confront the ultimate question: Can she trust Lucien, or is she falling into the arms of the very monster she's sworn to stop? In a city where blood runs thick and secrets run deep, Nancy Drew must unravel the mystery before the darkness consumes her.
The night air in New Orleans was thick with humidity, clinging to every surface like a second skin. The winding streets of the French Quarter, usually alive with the sound of jazz and chatter, were now unsettlingly quiet. For weeks, whispers of strange occurrences had gripped the city-people vanishing without a trace, only to be found days later, drained of life, as though the very blood had been ripped from their veins.
Detective Nancy Drew had been chasing this string of disappearances for the past month. Each case was more brutal than the last, and despite her experience, she felt no closer to understanding what kind of killer she was dealing with. The press had dubbed him "The Night Stalker," but Nancy had her doubts. This was no ordinary murderer.
As she walked down the narrow alley leading to her car, she felt the weight of the city's secrets pressing down on her. New Orleans had always been a place where the veil between the living and the dead was thin, but recently, that veil seemed to be tearing apart. She had been called many things in her career-obsessed, driven, relentless-but she had never let fear dictate her actions. Tonight was no different.
Reaching her car, she paused as her phone buzzed. An anonymous text.
"If you want answers, come to 313 Rue Noir. Midnight."
Her breath caught. She didn't recognize the number, but the message was clear. It was a lead, and she wasn't about to ignore it. Checking her watch, it was 11:45 PM. She had just enough time to make it to the address, which sounded vaguely familiar.
As she pulled away from the curb, her mind raced with possibilities. Who had sent the message? And why now? It could easily be a trap, but her instincts told her it was something more. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, that the darkness surrounding the city was closing in on her.
At exactly midnight, Nancy found herself standing in front of 313 Rue Noir. It was a crumbling old building tucked away in a part of the city most people had long forgotten. The windows were dark, and the only sign of life was the faint hum of music coming from within. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the heavy door.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with smoke and dim light. The bar was half-empty, filled with people who seemed more interested in blending into the shadows than being noticed. Her eyes scanned the room, and that's when she saw him.
He sat at the far end of the bar, leaning back casually, but there was an undeniable intensity about him. His dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. There was something about him-something that sent a chill down her spine, but also something that made her pulse quicken in a way she didn't understand.
As if drawn by some invisible force, Nancy moved toward him. When she was close enough, he smiled-a slow, knowing smile that made her feel like she was standing on the edge of a cliff.
"Detective," he said in a smooth, velvety voice. "I've been expecting you."
In a seemingly idyllic coastal town, a young woman's perfect life begins to unravel when she becomes entangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a mysterious stranger. As their lives intertwine, she discovers a dark secret that threatens to destroy everything she holds dear. Can she trust her own instincts or will she be consumed by the allure of this enigmatic man? A heart-pounding thriller that explores the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love.
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
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.
BOOK 1- BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE BOOK. MATURE THEMES 18+ The book may contain s!xual scenes, sudden instances of possessiveness, mild violence. Sydney Morgan and Gavin Reed, high school sweethearts, had been married for over a decade. Five years of their relationship were filled with unconditional love; however, in the next six years, this changes drastically between them when Sydney takes advice from her best friend, Gavin's first love. When Sydney loses her baby, Gavin is left broken and vulnerable in the hands of his first love. She convinces him to divorce Sydney, and when he does, Sydney loses it and nearly gets hit by a car, but then the talk of the town, Gavin's rival, and CEO's son, hiding behind a facàde, comes to her rescue.