Set in the vibrant city of Atlanta, Inner Circle follows four inseparable African American friends-Maya, Jasmine, Chantel, and Brooke-as they navigate the twists and turns of their intertwined lives. Each woman is unique in her career ambitions, love life, and aspirations, yet they are united by a deep bond of friendship. Through their laughter and tears, they lean on each other to tackle the challenges that come their way. Maya is a high-powered attorney who seems to have it all: a great career, a stylish wardrobe, and a stunning condo in the city. But beneath the surface, she's struggling with the demands of her job and a recent breakup with a long-term boyfriend, leaving her questioning if she'll ever find true love. Jasmine, a talented chef with dreams of owning her own restaurant, is caught between her passion for cooking and the reality of working in a demanding, male-dominated industry. She's seeing someone new, but can't shake the feeling that her past might ruin things before they even begin. Chantel is a free-spirited artist who's never been one to settle down. While she prides herself on her independence, she's now facing the reality of an uncertain career and a budding romance that might just change her view on love and commitment. Brooke, a successful event planner, appears to have her life perfectly organized. However, she's hiding a secret from her friends that threatens to unravel the life she's worked so hard to build. As her social circle grows more complex, she finds herself making decisions that could jeopardize her friendships and her future. Together, Maya, Jasmine, Chantel, and Brooke discover that they can face anything as long as they have each other. Through career missteps, broken hearts, and surprising new beginnings, their sisterhood becomes the anchor that keeps them grounded. Will they rise above their struggles, or will the secrets they're hiding tear them apart?
Maya Carter stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of her corner office, gazing out at the Atlanta skyline as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink over the bustling city. Her office was immaculate-pristine white walls, sleek modern furniture, and a wall of law books that she'd carefully arranged herself. To anyone else, it would look like the picture of success. But tonight, Maya felt anything but successful.
She exhaled slowly, loosening the silk scarf around her neck as she sank into the leather chair behind her desk. The case she'd been working on for months had finally ended, but the victory felt hollow. Somewhere between the long nights and endless paperwork, she'd lost sight of the thrill she once felt every time she stepped into a courtroom. Now, her victories felt like checkboxes on a to-do list, lacking the satisfaction they once brought.
Her phone buzzed on the desk, pulling her out of her thoughts. Maya glanced at the screen-another text from Jasmine, her best friend since college. Jasmine had been begging her to come out for drinks tonight, insisting that a night out was just what Maya needed. But the truth was, the last thing Maya wanted was to go out. She wasn't ready to face the world, not tonight. Not when every happy couple she saw would only remind her of how she was starting over.
She took a deep breath, silencing the nagging thoughts that circled in her mind. The break-up with Eric was still fresh in her mind, but Maya knew she had to keep moving forward. Everyone around her said she was strong, resilient, and unstoppable-but even the strongest people had their moments of doubt.
For the first time in years, Maya felt unsure of where she was headed. Her career was at its peak, her wardrobe filled with designer clothes, and her condo was located in one of the finest parts of the city, yet there was a hollowness in her chest that no accomplishment could fill. She remembered the last time she'd felt truly happy, and a pang of longing washed over her. Maybe it was love she was missing, or perhaps she'd simply lost herself along the way.
As she looked out over the city, Maya felt a glimmer of hope buried beneath her sadness. She knew that she would find her way through whatever lay ahead-she always did. But for now, she'd take it one day at a time, hoping that somewhere along the journey, she would find the piece of herself that was missing.
Her phone rang, shifting her thoughts back to reality. It was Jasmine.
"Hey, Jas," she said with a sigh.
"Well, hello to you too, heaux. Why the hell didn't you answer my text."
"I just got back to the office; I was trying to collect my thoughts."
"Well, the case is over, isn't it? It's time for the next one. Let's celebrate!"
"Not really in the mood," Maya said, yawning.
"Bish, really? So you just gone go home and climb in bed and read a romance novel or some shit like that."
That didn't sound like such a bad idea, Maya thought.
"Girl, I am not about to let you be a poop butt. We are meeting at Kado's new spot for drinks. He has a table for us already set up, and there's a jazz band playing tonight."
"Kado? That's a name I haven't heard in a while. When did he get back in town?"
"Well, supposedly, he moved from L.A. for good; he was on tour with some big-name stars and decided he wanted to settle here for good in the A."
"Is he still married to that girl he dated in college?"
"Who, Bethany? No. She left him high and dry for a Laker when they moved to L.A., and the dude wasn't even first string; he was some bench warmer...You always did have a thing for him."
"I thought he was cute, that's it," Maya said, placing her laptop in her bag.
"Oh, so cute that you backed it up on him at the homecoming dance back in '06?"
Maya rolled her eyes. "I really can't stand you," she said with a chuckle. Suddenly, she felt a little better.
"I know, that's why I'm here. To make you laugh. So grab your shit, head to the elevator, hop in the Porsche, and bring ya ass."
"Alright, whatever. Have you talked to Brooke?"
"Yes, she's at an event...for that fine ass soon-to-be senator, Andre Jackson."
RIEKA She was a naive, chubby, wolfless werewolf, maltreated by her mate to the point where she loses her sanity and womb, her crime was being chubby and less attractive than her peers. GABRIEL He was a handsome, strong willed womanizer, who happens to a hybrid ALPHA prince, the person he loves the most is his kid brother RALPH. He has searched high and low for a mate he could never find. What will happen when he finds out that his beloved brother's ex wife, happens to be his long awaited mate, who was maltreated and is currently mentally unstable? Will he forgive his brother for hurting his mate? or will blood flow?
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 facà de, comes to her rescue.
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
Three years ago, the Moore family opposed Charles Moore's choice to marry his beloved woman and selected Scarlett Riley as his bride. Charles didn't love her. In fact, he hated her. Not long after they got married, Scarlett received an offer from her dream university and jumped on it. Three years later, Charles's beloved woman fell terribly ill. In order to fulfill her last wish, he called Scarlett back and presented her with a divorce agreement. Scarlett was deeply hurt by Charles's abrupt decision, but she chose to let him go and agreed to sign the divorce papers. However, Charles seemed to delay the process deliberately, leaving Scarlett confused and frustrated. Now, Scarlett was trapped between the consequences of Charles's indecision. Would she be able to break free from him? Would Charles eventually come to his senses and face his true feelings?
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.