Ava Hunter, the young spoiled daughter of Sir Gabriel Hunter was the least ready for the surprise that awaited her in New Orleans and the events that would come to reshape her purpose. In a new environment with a new version of herself, she comes face to face with Marcelo, the impassive second son to the Don of one of the most notorious gangs in the country, the gang that murdered her mother. Marcelo on his own part will have to deal with uncovering his real identity, earning his father's love and admitting his vulnerability to the course of fate: Ava. Will resilient Ava let the drive of rage from unraveled mysteries cast a cloak over the blossoming love between her and the son of her archenemy or will passion grab the wheel and steer her off the course she had set her heart on?.
"Boss, he has refused to speak" the capo reported, a tinge of disappointment evident in his voice
With his back against the door and his balled fists in the pockets of his black silk pants, Rodriguez stood facing the window without uttering a word for the first few seconds. He let the deafening silence pass before he cleared his throat and tossed a half-smoked cigarette into the ash tray. His patience was waning gradually with each day and had even begun to dissipate faster when he learned of the futile efforts. How could he not have suspected that that bastard had something up his sleeves the entire time? his instincts were right about him from the onset but he had let the weakness of mercy tamper with his judgment. What results did that fetch him?, an unprepared confrontation with the police that led to the loss of three of his trusted men, soon to be four after he had dealt with that scumbag.
Turning sharply, he inhaled deeply and stared ahead of the capo with a hardened expression,
"Make him speak before midnight, there's not much patience and time left" and then because it was necessary, he added, "I'll see him at dawn".
That was definitely going to be the last face the captive would see before he was shot twice in the head from behind, the usual execution style. The capo nodded and took his leave just as the agonizing groans of a man erupted into the silence.
It was almost twilight outside the villa, the trees rustled lightly as the soft wind blew gently across. The seemingly quarrelsome chirpings of birds were the only sounds that pierced the quietness, behind the villa there was a shooting ground where the two sons of the Don spent most of their mornings firing shots and throwing knives after work outs. Rodriguez stepped into the range and pulled out his pistol, aiming at the centre of the board he shot twice and fixed the bore on the board with a long enraged stare.
"I think you should see him yourself if nothing is improving" Russell had joined him while he was lost in his roaming thoughts. The lad was the closest to understanding how his father thought and analyzed a difficult situation, which was one of the similarities they shared. His footsteps echoed as he advanced towards his father and took his position beside him, a gust of wind brushed the hem of his unbuttoned shirt.
"I intend to do that by dawn, he was one of my most trusted men. Brad knew so much about the family and left me with no reason to suspect him, although I had my qualms"
"It's unlike you father", he paused to cast a glance at him before he continued, "Brad always had this unsettling aura about him from when i first met him, always curious about everything even matters that clearly were out of his line of concern"
"He didn't seem like much trouble then"
"Now he is and even more, I fear his accomplice might also be one of us"
Rodriguez stole a glance at him before speaking," I feel the same, that son a of a bastard took me for a fool"
"Humiliating indeed, I doubt I would have had your patience to keep him breathing this long" Russell's voice had a touch of contempt as he made the last statement
"He trained you, Russell and your brother as well" Rodriguez caught his breath and continued," but that does not exempt him from the punishment of a traitor". Father and son exchanged knowing glances, with the latter wearing a sinister smile on his face as they strutted back to the house.
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The sound of a phone ringing woke Ava from her sleep with a start; she had not recovered from the hangover of the previous night's binge drinking at one of her friend's house party. The rays of sunlight that penetrated the window hit her eyes harshly causing her to squint them as soon as she opened them. Letting out a yawn, she stretched her hand across the pillow and clutched her phone, turned it to see who the caller was. Her head was banging loudly and the noise from the lawn mower few meters from her window was not alleviating the annoying situation.
Resolving to call back who it was later in the day, she threw her legs over the bed and slipped them into her pair of flip flops, heading to the bathroom. Her head was going to ache for a while but that was it, this wasn't the first time so she was used to it. It was only a sign of the good time she enjoyed, at least one that Becky's boyfriend's absence added to. He was a complete dumb ass, she thought, how could he even have the guts to be hitting on her while he was with her girlfriend, she thought of telling Becky that he was not worth keeping but on second thought ditched the idea as quickly as it arose. She was not going to be the reason Becky was breaking up with her 5th boyfriend a month after her birthday.
Ava found the whole situation laughable and couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips as she brushed her teeth, staring at her reflection in the mirror and only looking away when she spat into the sink. In no time, she finished her routine of cleaning up and made downstairs for breakfast. The table was covered with a crisp white tablecloth with a subtle sheen and a beautiful floral arrangement at the centre; four fine china plates were set at each place setting and a sparkling glass of freshly squeezed orange juice filled almost to the brim at the left of each plate. At the right of each plate were sterling silver utensils of fork, spoon and knife, a warm golden brown basket of freshly baked pastries and bread sat at the center of the table with a selection of pineapple and raspberry jellies, jams and honey ready to be served.
Ava took her seat adjacent to the lone figure that was already seated at the table. Noah and their mother arrived few minutes later as was their habit, Noah being the last as he slid noiselessly onto his seat adjusting the pair of glasses that sat askew on his freckled nose bridge.
Hunter's hoarse voice interrupted the silence first, "Ava, mind telling us why you broke curfew last night?"
It was an expected question yet it found a way of jabbing at Ava's nerve everytime it was asked, the irritation was almost noticeable in her voice as she responded,
"Something happened", that was all. That was all she was going to say despite the deafening silence that followed, fighting the urge to meet the gazes of her mother and brother whom she was certain had their eyes fixed on her. She picked up her glass of fruit juice and focused on sipping it slowly
"That's not enough explanation for why you've broken curfew four times already in a week" her father's voice was rising with each word, Ava could sense the provocation in his tone as he spoke but did she care, of course not. He seemed to be fond of remonstrating whatever she did, her decisions, her lifestyle; they were never anything he would agree with. In worst scenarios, he would compare her with her brother and conclude with an air of finality on how irredeemable her fate was. But today his expression was strange, a rueful countenance swept over his features unmatching the familiar hint of annoyance in his tone. Unsure of what to make of her observation, she set her glass on the table and shot a defiant look in his direction.
"Dad, maybe if you stopped demanding explanations for everything I....."
"Watch your tone, young lady" he cut her short
"There's nothing wrong with my tone" her voice had a sardonic touch as she retorted, her appetite had suddenly disappeared in the exchange that was slowly heating up. Just when the heated argument was close to hitting the mark, Rachel interjected,
" Honey, why don't we talk this over later? the day's still very young I'll wager that Ava must have reasons for not returning early yesterday", her soft voice subsided the tension which was confirmed when Hunter returned to pick a slice of bread from his plate without uttering a word, only drawing in a sharp breath as an agreement. Noah's indifferent expression remained on his face throughout the rest of the breakfast which lasted not up to an hour's quarter before Hunter wiped his lips and abandoned part of his meal on the table. He was still annoyed with her, which was all Ava could tell, ignoring the other inferences that sprang in her mind.
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 all—from 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 didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t 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."
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?