/0/63055/coverbig.jpg?v=300ad7559857411ffb47aa34f63ea5ea)
Permission duly taken. Attending a party with my stepbrother, I'm in for the surprise of my life. It's not a regular party, but instead, my wedding. To Angelo Rizzo. A coldhearted man who's feared by all. Including me. Turns out my stepbrother owes the Cosa Nostra money, and I'm being used to repay his debt to Angelo Rizzo. Do I have a choice? No. Not when it comes to matters concerning the Cosa Nostra. Three hours later, I have a new shiny wedding ring on my finger and a husband I'm terrified of standing by my side. Yep, my life just took a turn for the worse. There's no hiding. No running. All I can do is face the nightmare that awaits me and pray I'll survive being married to Angelo Rizzo.
Chapter 1
Tori
Angelo Rizzo; 34. Vittoria ā Tori Romano; 23.
"Mark my words," Giorgio says. "By the end of the year, I'll be one of the bosses."
I almost let out a snort. Listening to my stepbrother go on and on about how important he is in the Cosa Nostra is ridiculous.
He wishes.
Giorgio is...well, he's a narcissistic asshole. There's no other way to put it. Everyone knows there are only five bosses in the Cosa Nostra ā Rizzo, Torrisi, Vitale, La Rosa, and Falco. The five families run New York, and no one dares go against them.
Giorgio is all talk, and one day, it will get him killed.
A girl can hope.
Instantly, I'm hit with a wave of guilt for wishing my stepbrother dead.
Forgive me, Father.
Since my father and stepmother died in a car accident seven years ago, Giorgio took over PapĆ 's place in the Cosa Nostra. It went straight to Giorgio's head, and he's become downright unbearable to live with.
My aunt on Mamma's side of the family asked Giorgio to let me live with them, but he wouldn't hear of it. Sadly, my mamma died of pneumonia when I was three years old, and my aunt, uncle, and cousin are the only family I have left.
I was only sixteen, but Giorgio's word was law in our family, so no one dared go against him. Now I'm twenty-three and still stuck with the bastard.
I suspect he's only holding onto me to get my share of the inheritance that will pay out when I turn twenty-five.
He's already blown through more than half of his share, wasting it on gambling, alcohol, and women.
Giorgio was the perfect stepson to my father. PapĆ even adopted Giorgio as his own, so I can't blame PapĆ for leaving him in charge of our finances. Even I was shocked when I learned what a vile person Giorgio really is.
Cettina, Giorgio's mother, and PapĆ got married two years after Mamma died. I was five, and Giorgio was thirteen, so we grew up as brother and sister.
But overnight, he changed into a different person. One that's violent, selfish, and greedy.
I don't know what I'll do when I turn twenty-five in two years, but Giorgio won't get a dime from me. I'm hoping I can cash in my inheritance and run to somewhere he won't be able to find me.
Clearing my throat, I murmur, "Excuse me. I'm going to the restroom."
Giorgio's eyes are on a beautiful woman who just came in, and he doesn't pay me any attention as I get up from my chair.
Walking to the back of the restaurant, I glance around the establishment. The place is packed, and even though I've grown up around these people, they all feel like strangers.
Every Friday we have lunch at Piccola Sicilia. The restaurant belongs to Angelo Rizzo, and I've only seen him a few times. It's never long enough to get a good look at him.
Not that I want to. The five heads of the Cosa Nostra terrify the living crap out of me. They're known for being brutal when it comes to business.
Growing up in the Cosa Nostra, I've learned to fear the five families like the rest of the Sicilians who call New York their home.
Even Giorgio is shit scared of them. He talks big in front of me, but when he has to speak to one of Angelo Rizzo's men, he's pathetically humble.
Whenever he's forced to eat a slice of humble pie, I'm the one who suffers. The last time Big Ricky scolded Giorgio for being late for work, Giorgio broke two of my ribs.
He seldom leaves marks on my face because he loves to parade me in front of the single men in the Cosa Nostra. I know he plans to marry me off to one of them, but he's holding out for my inheritance.
The only solace I can find in the crappy situation is that Giorgio can't force me to marry him. We live in a tight-knit Sicilian community who would disapprove if he tried to marry me. After all, we were raised as brother and sister. It's my only saving grace and also the reason he hasn't looked at me in a sexual way. To Giorgio, the only thing that matters is getting his grubby hands on my inheritance.
I slip into the restroom, and after relieving myself, I wash my hands and touch up my lipstick. My eyes flit over the light peach summer dress I'm wearing, making sure the fabric isn't stuck in my underwear. It happened to Aida when we were fourteen, and I almost died of second-hand embarrassment for my cousin. Since then, I always check my clothes to ensure nothing is out of place.
My gaze locks on my reflection in the mirror, and I lift my chin.
Just two more years of this hell, then you can run away and create a new life for yourself.
As I step out of the restroom to return to the table, an office door opens to my right. Not thinking, I glance in the direction of the sound, and
instantly, I'm doused in ice.
I have a clear view of Angelo Rizzo, who's gripping a man by his neck. I can't hear what's being said, but as Big Ricky comes out of the office, I see Angelo slam a knife into the man's throat.
Mother of God.
The squeak escaping me has Big Ricky's eyes snapping in my direction.
Crap!
My heart instantly hammers against my ribs, and I quickly dart to the left. I know it's stupid of me to run, but my flight or fight instinct kicks in, and flight always wins.
I don't even reach the end of the hallway before being grabbed by the arm and hauled back to the office.
NoNoNoNoNo!
"I didn't see anything," I plead. Big Ricky ignores me, which has me begging, "I won't tell anyone. Please."
I'm shoved into the office and stumble forward. My eyes lock on Mr. Rizzo, who's wiping the blood from the knife, and the sight brings me to a dead stop.
His head is lowered, and focused on cleaning every crimson drop from the blade, he orders with a low and threatening tone, "Remove the body."
With wide eyes, I watch as the man's body is dragged out of a side door by Tiny, who doesn't even break a sweat. Then again, he's a mountain of a man. The trail of blood smeared on the tiled floor almost makes me gag.
Father, I've been a good girl. I've never dated and kept myself pure for marriage. I attend church every Sunday. Please get me out of this mess. You owe me.
Slowly, Mr. Rizzo lifts his head, and when his hazel eyes lock on me, shivers of fear rush through my body.
Crap.
Just one look from Angelo Rizzo and my mouth goes bone dry. I swallow hard on the lump of panic in my throat.
His eyes crawl from my head to the sandals on my feet before they flick to Big Ricky.
"She saw what happened," Big Ricky explains.
I quickly shake my head, and my voice quivers as I plead, "I won't tell anyone. I promise."
Mr. Rizzo lifts his hand, and while his thumb scratches his bottom lip, his eyes lock on me once more.
The brutality in his gaze delivers a punch to my stomach.
Father, I don't want to die. Get me out of this mess, and I'll do anything you want.
Tiny comes back into the office, and without taking his eyes off me, Mr.
Rizzo hands the murder weapon to him.
"She's Romano's sister," Big Ricky informs his boss.
If my heart beats any faster, I'm going to pass out.
Mr. Rizzo lifts an eyebrow. "Vittoria."
He knows my name?
Of course, he does. I'm pretty sure nothing happens in his territory without him knowing.
Mr. Rizzo takes a deep breath while slowly stalking closer to me. "I haven't seen you since your father's funeral."
The urge to back away overwhelms me, but by the grace of God, I manage to stand still.
When he stops mere inches from me, I have to tilt my head back to look up at him.
If I weren't so freaking terrified, I'd take the time to admire the man's attractiveness. His black hair is in stark contrast with his hazel eyes. There are tiny golden flecks that make it look like flames are burning in his brown-green irises. I know he's in his early thirties and still unmarried because he's too busy ruling over his territory with an iron fist.
When Tiny stands close behind Mr. Rizzo, I realize they're the same height. Easily two and a half heads taller than me.
Where Tiny is all bulging muscles and brute strength, Mr. Rizzo's body is firmer, giving me the impression of stealth and death cloaked in an expensive suit.
Tiny has a round face, whereas Mr. Rizzo has a sharp jaw.
My eyes keep flitting between the two men while I'm overly conscious of Big Ricky behind me.
Mr. Rizzo's eyes remain locked on my face, and when I can't stand the pressure anymore, I whimper, "I won't tell anyone what I saw."
A frown line appears between his eyebrows, and his words are soft and dangerous as he murmurs, "I know."
What does that mean? Am I free to go, or is he going to kill me? GOD!
When Mr. Rizzo suddenly lifts his hand to my face, I cringe back and let out a frightened sound. I pinch my eyes shut, and fisting my hands at my sides, I try to brace for the punch.
My skin stretches tightly over my cheekbones and jaw, and I clench my teeth.
Seconds pass, and when I feel something tug at my hair, my eyes fly open.
Mr. Rizzo's gaze watches me closely while he wraps a curl of my hair around his forefinger.
Confused by what he's doing, I startle again when Giorgio's voice booms outside the office. "For fuck sake. Tori, get your ass out of the restroom!"
I hear Big Ricky move, then the hinges of the office door squeak, and he says, "Your sister is with Mr. Rizzo."
"What?" Giorgio gasps.
I hear more movement behind me, but my eyes remain on the biggest threat in the office. Angelo Rizzo.
"What did you do?" Giorgio hisses at me.
A frown forms on Mr. Rizzo's forehead, and as he lets go of the curl, I nervously brush my hand over my hair while quickly taking a step away from the terrifying man.
Needing to explain myself, I ramble, "As I came out of the restroom, the office door opened. It drew my attention, and I accidentally saw Mr. Rizzo...ah...do something. I didn't mean to look. It just happened." My hand flies to my chest, and covering my racing heart, I swear, "I won't tell anyone."
Mr. Rizzo's eyes flick to Big Ricky. "Escort Miss Romano to a table and get her a cup of coffee while I speak with her brother."
Huh?
Not sure I heard right, I ask, "I get to leave?"
Mr. Rizzo's penetrating gaze returns to me. "For now."
Intense relief washes through me as I quickly exit the office with Big Ricky.
I cautiously glance at Big Ricky, who's not much taller than me. "I'm really sorry."
With the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, he nods. "It's okay,
bellissima." He leads me to a table and nods at the chair. "You can wait here
while Mr. Rizzo talks to your brother."
"Stepbrother," I correct him. Big Ricky looks the least threatening of the bunch, which gives me the courage to ask, "How much trouble am I in?"
He shakes his head. "As long as you keep quiet, you'll be fine."
More relief floods me, and with hope filling my heart, I ask, "Really?"
He nods again before gesturing for a server to come closer. "Bring a cup of coffee for Miss. Romano."
When the server leaves, Big Ricky looks at me again. "Stay right here."
I nod and watch as he walks toward a table where three men are enjoying lunch.
Letting out a breath, I slump in the chair while wiping my palm over my forehead.
Dear God. That was intense.
I stare at the table as the terrifying past few minutes replay in my mind.
Crap, I'm going to be in so much trouble with Giorgio.
A heavy feeling settles over my shoulders, and I glance at the hallway again.
I can't believe I just came face-to-face with Angelo Rizzo.
God, the man is intense. And handsome.
And freaking scary.
Now that I'm no longer in the direct line of fire, I realize just how attractive Angelo Rizzo is. I understand why Aida, my cousin, was so infatuated with the man when I saw her a couple of months ago at a family gathering.
He might be one of the most attractive men I've ever seen, but it doesn't take away from how terrifying he is. If anything, it adds to it.
Father, it's me again. Thanks for saving my butt.
My thoughts turn to the murder I witnessed, and it brings all the fear back.
Growing up in the Cosa Nostra, you'd think I'd be used to crime and corruption, but that's not the case for me. I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing someone die.
Just two more years, then you can make a clean break from Giorgio and this world.
NOTE: THIS BOOK IS A SERIES BOOK FOR EX-HUSBAND'S REGRETS AND HEIRESS REVENGE. IT CONTAINS MANY OTHER INTERESTING SERIES. XOXOā¤ļøš "We'll make another baby." These words broke her heart. She threw the divorce papers on his face. "Sign this. Let's get this over with. I'm tired of being your sidepiece." With a smirk, he replied without hesitation. "Elena, you won't get a dime as compensation. Pack your things and get lost." Disappointed, Elena goes through with the divorce and goes back to being the heiress of the wealthy Brooks family. At an auction, she meets her ex-husband and spends a fortune to get an antique. Shocked, her ex-husband asked her. "Who are you, Elena?" "The woman you rejected."
Do you love military Romance? She's crashed the biggest party of her life, and she's about to pay the price. As the leader of an off-the-books black ops SEAL team, Luke Scott can't afford for anyone to discover the truth about who he is or what he does. But when a critical mission gets botched by a member of an iconic Hollywood family, he'll have to fight to protect his team's identity, as well as keep himself from falling for the woman who's turned his life upside down. Eva Sharp's the writer and co-producer for the hit TV series SEAL Security. While on break from filming, the last thing she expects is to end up in the middle of a real-life action scene--one that puts her life on the line. At first, she's not sure if she can trust this stranger in the mountains, even if he has military written all over him. But the more time she spends with him, the harder it is to fight the pull of attraction, without also jeopardizing his op. They'll soon realize not everything is as it seems, and Luke will be forced to discover how far he's willing to go to find his mark.
In the shadows, I found a destiny that was never meant to be mine. All my life, I've been an outcast and the target of cruel jokes. But fate flings me onto a different path when I receive a full-ride scholarship to a prestigious university I never applied to. As the new girl at Evergreen Elite, I'm surrounded by whispered secrets and danger that lurks in every corner. Then I meet Raffe Wright, the university's sexy, broody quarterback, whose presence stirs something deep within me. Every instinct warns me away from him, yet I can't fight the magnetic pull between us. As I unravel the mysteries of the university, I uncover truths about my own past and secrets that could change everything. Each step leads closer to Raffe, and the destiny that brought me here. But the deeper I delve, the more I realize that Raffe might be both the answer to my questions and the greatest danger of all.
Don't play doctor with your daddy's best friend. Especially when it gets you pregnant. One night with Doctor McHottie has him exploring every inch of my anatomy. It was supposed to be a fun fling with an out-of-towner. He turns out to be the new doctor and my daddy's best friend. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but he keeps coming back for more. I'm in trouble. Now I'm falling for this chiseled silver fox who looks like he just walked off the set of Grey's Anatomy. This is so wrong. He's way older. He's my dad's best friend. He's a doctor. And I just found out he's the father of the baby in my belly...
After suffering a bad fall on the ice, Dalia finds herself at crossroads in her life. Ryan a gorgeous stranger gives her an ultimatum, forcing her to choose between himself, a guy who promises her a chance at becoming all that she can be or Adam the boy that she's in love with. Hearts are broken as Dalia's boundaries and courage are tested in this epic love story. With the Olympic Games over, the competition for Dalia's heart begins. Dalia was forced to give up Adam the guy of her dreams to pursue a skating career with her gorgeous partner Ryan. Now that the Olympics are over and Canada's favourite couple has returned, there's nothing stopping Adam from reclaiming the love of his life, except Ryan of course! In an attempt to find his way back into his ex-girlfriends life, Adam offers Dalia the opportunity of a lifetime: She will direct a television show that will air nationwide, earning her power and money she never dreamed of having. Everything goes according to plan until Global executives insist Adam hires Dalia's ex-husband and figure skating partner Ryan to work with her on the show. The station argues that Ryan's presence will attract more viewers and possibly reunite Canada's favourite couple. The tension mounts as the history of this love triangle finally comes to a head in the conclusion of the trilogy, Trapped in his love.
*Synopsis* Heās an Alpha and he needs a maid. She a weirdo and sheās a dethroned maid. Sheās pretty and silent but her mind tells the whole truth. What happens when she meets Mr Alien whoās the Alpha? She seems tensed but nothing scares her more than her fathers death. She looks to him In the eye and wants him to herself unintentionally. Craving for him, will her wish be granted? Only one way to find outā¦ *The Alphas Maid*
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it allāfrom standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didnāt return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachelās terminal illness and realized she didnāt have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
"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."
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
Natalie used to think she could melt Connorās icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scaleāall in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
Amy didn't expect that her husband whom she had loved and trusted earnestly for many years would be cheating on her by having sex with his secretary. When she confronted him, he and his secretary mocked and ridiculed her, they called her barren to her face, afterall, she had not conceived for the past three years that she had been married to her husband, Callan. Terribly Heartbroken, she filed for divorce and left to the club, she picked a random gigolo, had a hot one night stand with him, paid him and dissapeared to a small city. She came back to the country six years later with three identical cute boys and three identical cute girls of the same age. She settled and got a job but soon find out that her CEO was the gigolo she had sex with six years back at the club. Will she be able to hide her six little cuties from her CEO, who happens to be the most powerful man in NorthHill and beleived to be infertile? Can Amy and the most powerful man in NorthHill get along considering the social gap between them.