"In the shadowy streets of Manhattan and Milan, a deadly game of power and passion unfolds. When artist Aurora 'Rory' Thompson witnesses a brutal murder, she's forced into a fake marriage with Leonardo De Luca, the ruthless Mafia kingpin behind La Ombra Noir. Their explosive one-night stand has become a toxic obsession, fueling a dangerous dance of loyalty and deceit. As Rory uncovers Leonardo's dark secrets, she must choose between her art, her freedom, and her soul. Will their twisted love redeem him, or will it destroy them both?
The city never slept, its pulsing heartbeat echoing through the concrete canyons of Manhattan. Neon lights danced across the rain-soaked pavement, casting a gaudy glow over the crowded streets. Amidst the chaos, a lone figure emerged from the shadows.
Rory Thompson stepped out of the downpour, her long, raven-black hair plastered to her pale skin. Water droplets clung to her lashes as she gazed up at the towering skyscrapers, their peaks shrouded in mist. The city's energy coursed through her veins like lifeblood.
She slipped into the crowded subway, the air thick with the smell of damp earth and exhausted dreams. Rory's eyes scanned the sea of strangers, her gaze lingering on a young couple embracing in the corner, their love radiating like a beacon. A pang twisted in her chest, a familiar ache she'd grown accustomed to.
The train lurched forward, and Rory grabbed the pole, her fingers brushing against the cool metal. The advertisement plastered above the seats caught her attention: "Artistic Visionaries Wanted." The words seemed to pulse, beckoning her toward the unknown.
At the next stop, Rory pushed through the throng and emerged into the crisp night air. The rain had slowed to a gentle patter, casting a mystical spell over the city. She walked, her boots echoing off the buildings, until she reached the unassuming door of the Red Door Gallery.
A small, elegant sign creaked in the breeze: "Closed for Private Event." Rory's heart skipped a beat. This was it ā her chance to showcase her art, to prove herself among the city's elite. She smoothed her damp hair, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door.
Inside, the gallery transformed into a sophisticated haven. Soft jazz floated through the air, accompanied by the clinking of champagne glasses and polite laughter. Rory's eyes adjusted to the warm lighting, and she spotted him ā Leonardo De Luca, the enigmatic patron of the arts, standing amidst a circle of admirers.
His gaze locked onto hers, piercing and intense. For an instant, the room melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a world of their own making. Rory's pulse quickened as Leonardo's lips curled into a subtle smile, inviting her into his realm.
"Welcome, Miss Thompson," he said, his voice low and husky, as he extended his hand. "I've been expecting you."
Rory's fingers touched his, a spark of electricity igniting at the contact. As she met his gaze, a whispered warning echoed deep within her: "Beware the beauty that hides the darkness."
After spending a night with a strange man on the day before her wedding, Arianna left the country to start her life afresh. The 22-year-old Arianna Jason lived her life pleasing those she loved the most, without knowing that she was simply a prey being nurtured for the day of her ruin. Her life has tasted the butter pill of betrayal. She wants to give back to the world what she's got but how can she change her good, innocent personality to fit into a cruel society and world? Can her sweet nature be contaminated, or will she make it through, paddling on the right path?
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 herāespecially her ex-husband.
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. Whatās worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldnāt thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesnāt seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that heās different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Renea was trying the wedding dress, when suddenly the man rushed in the dressing room and held her neck tightly... āBitch! Are you still trying to pretend innocent!ā Jasper said as he tightened his grip on her neck and choked her harder. Then he used his other hand and took out the phone from his suit pocket and played the video of two people having sex in front of Reneaā¦ However, what was even more shocking, was that the woman in the video was, Renea Morris, however, the man in the video was not Jasper. Renea struggled to take a phone away from Jasperās hand and tried to explain, āJasper, it was not what you thinkā¦ Iā¦ I canā¦ā Jasper looked at Renea with his eyes full of disgust, as he said, āLetās call of the wedding. I canāt marry a woman like you.ā After saying that Jasper walked out of the shop Renea chase after Jasper... But then she sees Jasper passionately kissing her sister Kailey. And she hears everything, that her sleeping with strange men was all a plan of the vipers of the last two days, and that their goal was to get out of this stupid marriage. Even her adopted parents were also involved in this matter... They all do this with her because of the inheritance left by her grandfather... Renea heart was filled with anger and she wanted to expose their true colors to the public... However before she could do anything, Kailey had pushed her in front of the car and she got killed... However, when Renea open her eyes, she found herself sitting in the car with Kailey... She realized that she was reborn and went at the time when everything started... Renea looked at the people who had hurt her in her previous life and her lips curled up in a cold smile... She was back... However, this time... she was back for revenge...
Haisley Jefferson, daughter of the Alpha of The Ashen Crescent Pack, finds her life far from fulfilling. She yearns to meet her mate so she can finally escape the hellhole she once called home. Instead of meeting her mate and escaping, fate takes an unexpected turn on her 21st birthday. Rather than a mate, she's given a husband ā Hades Stone, the future Alpha of The DuskBane Pack, and a man she has secretly loved for years. The only problem is he has his eyes set on Alice, her adopted sister. In the face of this dilemma, Haisley rejects the marriage, but destiny seems to have its own plans beyond her control. Haisley finds herself at a crossroads. While she wishes for her mate to rescue her, she's also entangled in a deep affection for Hades. A forced marriage to him was not her desire, but it seems destiny has other plans.
Frederick Winston wakes up in a messy room with a woman after a night of heavy drinking. Realizing the events of the previous night were real, he notices red stains on the bedsheet and discovers that the woman was a virgin. Despite a brief desire to see her face, Frederick decides to leave, but a necklace falls off the woman and gets caught on his suit. While on his way to work, Frederick recalls the sweet scent from the night before, which surprises him since he lost his sense of smell three years ago. His assistant, Chuck, informs him of a resident causing issues on Cedarbrook Street, and Frederick decides to handle the matter personally. As Frederick is on his way, he finds the dropped pendant with a stunning sapphire, realizing it might belong to the woman he spent the night with. Intrigued and determined to find her, he instructs Chuck to track down someone based on the information about the Regal Haven Hotel between 11 PM and 10 AM. Frederick reminisces about a little girl who had saved him fifteen years ago and gave him a necklace, promising to marry him in the future. He is now driven to find her, despite being the successful CEO of the Winston Group. The story ends with Frederick's determination to fulfill the promise made to the little girl...