Aria Romano never imagined her life would turn into a living nightmare. Trapped in a contract marriage to settle her father's debt, she's now tied to Damien Salvatore-the cold, calculating mafia heir who only sees her as a pawn. But there's a catch: Damien is openly gay, and he makes it clear that their marriage is nothing more than a business deal, devoid of love or intimacy. Damien is everything she despises: arrogant, dominant, and utterly untouchable. He wants nothing to do with his new bride, keeping his distance with a scathing indifference that shatters her hopes of any normalcy. Yet as the days turn into months, Aria starts to see cracks in his icy façade, a flash of protectiveness, a rare moment of vulnerability, and a searing gaze that lingers too long. But just when Aria begins to unravel the layers of her enigmatic husband, Luca Moretti, Damien's ex-lover and the ruthless underboss of a rival family, reappears. Luca's obsession with Damien blurs the line between love and hate, and he's determined to destroy anyone who stands in his way, including Aria. Caught in a dangerous game of power, betrayal, and forbidden desire, Aria must navigate a world where trust is a luxury she can't afford. And as Damien's feelings for her grow, she realizes that the most dangerous secret isn't his sexuality or his hidden past-it's that she might actually be falling in love with her mafia gay husband. Will their love survive the lies and betrayals, or will it crumble under the weight of their dangerous secrets?
The rain lashed against the windows of the limousine, a relentless drumming that drowned out the sounds of the city outside. Aria Romano stared blankly through the tinted glass, her fingers clenched around the bouquet of white roses in her lap. They felt heavy, like shackles disguised as petals. She wasn't sure if it was the chill in the air or the icy fear gripping her chest that made her shiver.
"Are you nervous?" her father asked, his voice laced with a desperation he didn't bother to hide.
Nervous? The word didn't even begin to cover it. She was on her way to marry a man she had never met, a man who was known to be cruel, unfeeling-a man who didn't even want her. But she couldn't say any of that, not when her father's eyes were filled with a pleading she had never seen before. He had made a deal with the devil to save his business, and Aria was the sacrificial lamb.
"I'm fine," she lied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Fine?" Her father's gaze faltered, and he looked away, unable to meet her eyes. "This will secure our future, Aria. You have to understand that."
Secure our future. The phrase rattled around in her mind like a hollow promise. Her father's debts had spiraled out of control, and the Salvatore family had offered a solution-a marriage that would seal an alliance and settle the score. What no one spoke of, what they all pretended not to notice, was the glaring fact: Damien Salvatore was gay. The mafia prince, the cold, calculated heir who had never looked twice at a woman. This wasn't a marriage-it was a transaction, a mockery of vows she'd never dreamed she'd have to take.
The car pulled to a stop in front of the imposing gates of the Salvatore mansion, and her heart seized in her chest. The estate loomed like a beast in the storm, its dark silhouette outlined by flickering lightning. It was a fitting place for a nightmare to begin.
The door swung open, and a bodyguard motioned for her to step out. She hesitated, casting one last look at her father, who sat with his head bowed, his hands clasped together as if in prayer.
"You'll be fine," he murmured, but he didn't sound convinced.
With a deep breath, Aria stepped out into the rain, her white dress trailing behind her like a ghost. She felt the weight of it, like she was walking towards her own execution.
Inside, the mansion was all marble and gold, a display of wealth that screamed of power and control. The air was thick with the scent of roses and cigar smoke, a strange, unsettling combination that made her stomach churn. She was ushered into a grand room, where Damien Salvatore stood by the fireplace, his back turned to her.
He didn't move as she entered, didn't even acknowledge her presence. It was as if she were invisible, as if this moment-their wedding-was nothing more than an inconvenience to him.
"You're late," he said, his voice a low, cold drawl that sent a shiver down her spine.
Aria swallowed hard. "I came as quickly as I could."
He turned then, slowly, and she was struck by how handsome he was, in a dangerous, almost unreal way. Damien had the kind of face that could have been sculpted from marble-sharp jawline, high cheekbones, dark, piercing eyes that seemed to see right through her. He was dressed in a tailored black suit that fit him like a second skin, exuding a power that was impossible to ignore.
His eyes flicked over her, a quick, dismissive scan, and his lips curled into a smirk. "You look scared."
"I'm not," she lied again, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
"Good," he replied, stepping closer. He loomed over her, his presence overwhelming. "Fear doesn't suit you."
She flinched at the casual cruelty in his tone, but she didn't back down. "This is just a business deal to you, isn't it?"
His smirk widened. "Isn't it to you?"
She opened her mouth to argue, but no words came. He was right. This marriage wasn't about love or even lust-it was about power, control, and settling a debt. But that didn't make it any easier to swallow.
"Do you have any idea what you've agreed to, Aria?" he asked, his voice soft but edged with steel.
"I know enough," she said, squaring her shoulders. "I know you didn't want this any more than I did."
Damien's eyes flashed, a brief flicker of something she couldn't quite place-surprise, maybe, or amusement. "You know nothing," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper as he leaned in, so close she could feel his breath on her skin. "And you'll regret this. Mark my words."
Before she could respond, he stepped back, putting an ocean of space between them. The priest, who had been standing off to the side, cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the tension crackling in the air.
"Shall we begin?" the priest asked, glancing nervously between them.
Damien nodded once, curtly. "Let's get this over with."
The ceremony was a blur, a haze of words she barely registered. Damien's hand was cold when he slipped the ring onto her finger, his touch impersonal, almost mechanical. He didn't look at her when he recited his vows, and she forced herself not to flinch at the hollow sound of his voice.
When it was over, when the priest declared them husband and wife, Damien didn't kiss her. Instead, he turned away, already walking towards the door.
"Where are you going?" she called after him, her voice cracking with the strain of holding back tears.
He paused, just for a moment, and glanced back at her, his expression unreadable. "To take care of business. Don't wait up."
And then he was gone, leaving her standing there, a ring on her finger, alone on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.
Aria closed her eyes, drawing in a shaky breath. This was her new reality-a marriage in name only, bound to a man who couldn't care less if she disappeared off the face of the earth. But as the first tear slipped down her cheek, she made a silent vow to herself.
She wouldn't let him break her. Not now, not ever.
To the world, Theo Lancaster is the perfect billionaire-devastatingly handsome, irresistibly charming, and untouchable in his success. But behind the dazzling smile lies a man haunted by a past he can't escape. When his carefully guarded world begins to unravel, he reluctantly hires Nora Bennett, a sharp-tongued therapist with no patience for his walls of pretense. Nora has seen her share of broken souls, but Theo is unlike any client she's ever had. He's infuriating, magnetic, and completely off-limits. Hired under the guise of a "wellness consultant," Nora's job is to help him face his demons. But as their forced proximity sparks a connection neither can deny, the line between professional and personal begins to blur. Just as Theo starts to believe in a future with Nora, his manipulative ex-fiancée, Victoria Langley, returns with a vengeance, determined to shatter everything he's built-including his newfound hope for love. When secrets from Theo's past collide with Victoria's ruthless schemes, Nora must decide whether to stay and fight for him or walk away before she loses herself in the process
In the ruthless underworld of 1980s New York, two men are about to break every rule. Luca Bianchi, heir to one of the city's most feared mafia families, has always known his path was laid out before him: loyalty to his family, power, and a life without the possibility of true love. But when he meets Adrian Russo-mysterious, charming, and working for a rival clan-his world is turned upside down. What starts as a dangerous flirtation spirals into an all-consuming, forbidden romance. Adrian has his own secrets. Caught in the crossfire of mafia politics, he's playing a dangerous game, navigating the delicate line between desire and betrayal. The deeper he falls for Luca, the more impossible it becomes to keep his double life hidden. One slip, and it's not just his heart on the line-it's his life. As family loyalty and passion clash, Luca and Adrian are forced to confront a choice that could destroy everything they've ever known. Their love could end the generations-old war between their families... or ignite it anew. Will they defy the rules of their world and risk everything for a chance at love? Or will their secrets tear them apart before they even get the chance to find out?
Raven Black has always been the pack's weakest link, the frail Omega who is ridiculed and scorned. Her only dream was to find her fated mate, the one person who would love her unconditionally. But that dream shatters when the cruel, powerful Alpha, Smith Lockwood, rejects her in front of the entire pack. Smith, with his piercing silver eyes and unyielding dominance, dismisses her as unworthy. He believes a weak, timid mate would make him vulnerable, but the bond between them refuses to break, pulling them closer in ways they never expected. Trapped in the pack she can't escape and tormented by a mate who both rejects and possesses her, Raven must find the strength she never knew she had. As her hidden powers begin to awaken, Raven realizes she might be the key to saving the pack from a rogue threat lurking in the shadows. But Smith's refusal to accept her as his mate pushes her to the brink. Will he realize her worth before it's too late? Or will his pride cost him the only woman who could be his true equal? In a world where love is dangerous, and power is everything, can a broken girl and her ruthless Alpha find a way to heal each other?
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.
"You're my wife in name only, on paper only. My heart and love will never be yours." Edward made it clear to Daisy that she was nothing to him. They were both victims of family greed -- the marriage was arranged for them. Six years passed. She remained quiet, gaining a reputation in the army as a tough-as-nails colonel. When she walked into his life again, Edward fell in love with this woman, unlike any he had known. She surprised and delighted him. But will Daisy take him back? Can their son keep them together? Can the rift between them be healed? Pick this one up and find out!
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
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?
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!