"Strip!" The voice thundered as I stood shocked by the turn of events. I shuddered both in fear and disgust at the thought of this man drooling over my naked body. "Don't make me repeat myself Isabella Valenti." His eyes were all red, like that of an angry bull ready to charge. I wasn't going to give in that easily. I didn't ask for this. I never did. ************ In a world filled with darkness, shedding of blood, tears and screams, Isabella Valenti, the daughter of Don Rodrigo Valenti has to fight her way through survival after the death of her father. The once powerful Valenti family went down in ashes after his death, giving chances to rival mafia clans, most especially Lucas Romano who always had his eyes on the Valenti family for reasons best known to him. Things take an unexpected turn when Isabella is given two options. Thus, either to watch her mother and brother die gruesomely or become Lucas' possession for a crime her father is said to have committed. How long will she survive under the roof of the ruthless Capo? Will hatred turn into love? **********
Isabella
"Who's there?" I turned swiftly, my chest tightening in fear.
"I ask again, who are you?" This time, I squinted trying to see someone but the darkness was doing me no good. Maybe I was just overthinking.
I blew the thin hair on my face forgetting how difficult that would be considering how wet it was due to the heavy downpour. A few steps forward, I heard footsteps again,which wasn't mine. I can't possibly be mistaken for the second time. Someone is after me. It was a really bad idea taking a late night walk in the quiet streets of Palermo, Sicily but you wouldn't blame me.
It's hard losing the man that was the backbone of the family. I just can't come in terms with how mysteriously he died. Damn! My father laid six feet in the ground now and there was nothing I could do to bring him back–Absolutely nothing.
"Shit!" I screamed as a sharp blade scraped against my arm, causing a shallow cut. I was right after all. I am no longer alone. Someone is after me. I turned once again, trying the second time to identify the culprit. The only thing helping my vision was the moon and the rain aiding my hearing.
"You f*cking vigliacco(coward)! Why not show your ugly face?!" I spat out, gritting my teeth in pain. I waited, expecting someone to come out but nothing.
"Fucking a**hole!" I yelped as another blade grazed the same arm. One thing registered in my head-This person wants me dead.
I took to my heels, running like my life depended on it and of course it did. The only thing I had in mind was to hide somewhere safe. I can't die now, not when my mom and little brother still needed me.
'You are no coward Isabella! You are the daughter of Don Rodrigo Valenti! You are to fear no one. Nessuno Isabella!' I came to a halt almost immediately. Dad's words rang in my ears and he was right. I am no coward!
I turned to see the person after me. Oops! People. I looked at the men in front of me, well built and ready for action. I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed.
"Can we stop with the Tom and Jerry game already?" I asked, trying to catch my breath.
"You have to come with us, Miss Isabella." One of the men with dirty blonde hair styled in a ponytail said. To think that they even knew my name. Wow!
"Unbelievable!" I scoffed, dramatically throwing my hands up in the air. "For a second I thought you were here to kill me." I looked at my injured arm, still dripping with blood. I need to get home faster and get this cut dressed.
"Like I said Miss, you have to come with us, either peacefully or we will have no option than to take you against your will." The same guy said again. I counted the men to see if I could take on all of them. I never knew I was that important for someone to bring seven men after me. It's no surprise, I expected this after the death of my father.
"What is your name again?" I pointed to the blonde hair guy. His brows etched in confusion but he replied anyway.
"Ian," He answered.
"Look Ian, I'm going nowhere with you. Go and tell that to whoever sent you." I crossed my arms on my chest, enjoying their scared and confused looks.
"The boss doesn't want her bruised." I heard one of the men whisper to Ian.
"We can't go empty handed either." This was getting interesting. Who is their boss and why does he or she want me captured?
"It is settled. We are taking you with us." Ian turned to face me, attempting to give me a scary look.
"You don't scare me, duh!" I rolled my eyes at him. "But if you want to take me against my will, go for it then. I just remembered I am the daughter of my father." I smirked, staring deep into Ian's eyes, my hands on my waist now. The rain seemed to be on my side as it came down heavily.
"Argh!" The only petite man in the group charged at me with a flurry of punches. I dodged the punches with ease and caught hold of his fisted hands.
"It's been a while since I did this. Did you send this little man as a test?" I inquired, smiling. I was caught off guard for sometime till I felt a sting on my cheek. It hurt, f*ck! I spat out blood as I twisted the fist in my hand.
"You should have kept your other hand in check, bastardo." The petite man fell to the ground, rolling and screaming while holding his twisted hand. It will be difficult to take on the others as they weren't like the first man.
The other men lurched at me throwing swift punches while I did my best to dodge and counterattack at every given opportunity.
"Damn!" I fell to my feet as a kick made contact with my leg. There is no way I'm giving up now. I can't let them take me, at least, not this easy. I got back on my feet hurriedly and delivered a knee to Ian's groin.
"Screw you!" He screamed. I watched in satisfaction, forgetting there were more men to finish. I feel my arms grabbed to my back and my knee forced to the ground.
"Hold her down!" Ian commanded. He must be their leader or something. "We will have to bundle her up to the boss." He growled, his face twitching in pain and his hand protecting his crotch from another possible hit. I couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Take the damn lady away!" My laughter seemed to have annoyed him as he ordered his men who in turn lifted me to my feet, dragging me into the darkness. Is this how easy they are going to capture me? I feel too weak right now, very weak.
"You are not taking her away. Well.. unless you beat my ass up." That voice! I'd recognize it anywhere, anyday. I turned together with the men who held me and there he stood, with his unruly waves and piercing blue eyes, looking charming as ever under the dim moonlight. He was here to save me again, like he always did.
"I have an offer for you. " He paused,as he gazed straight into my eye "Marry me and I will pay you. A contract marriage. " He finally dropped the bomb, causing my eyes to widen in surprise. Marry him? How? Why? I have only known him for about two to three months. What is he talking about? ***************************** Derrik King is a multi-billionaire who owns numerous businesses. He is well known as the CEO of the King's Empire. When Derrik's father plans to get him married to Isabella Scott - a tycoon's daughter, he has no choice but to get into a contract marriage as suggested by his friend. Andrea Price searched earnestly for a job to support her family. Finally, she was given a job as a personal assistant in the Kings Empire. Few months working as a PA for Derrik King, an offer was made. She could earn millions of dollars, if she agrees to be Derrik King's contract bride. Staying with Derrik for just three months was enough to battle with her sanity and now a contract marriage? But sometimes, we are not in control of things that happen to us. Andrea is now faced with choosing her sanity or accepting the money that comes with the contract to save a family member.
Roy D'silver had always been a rising star in the business world. With his natural charm and sharp wit, he quickly made a name for himself in Italy. But when an opportunity arose for his family to move to the United States, Roy knew it was a chance he couldn't pass up. As he settled in his new surroundings, Roy heard whispers of a formidable woman named Selene Rivers. Selene was known as the queen of the business world, with a reputation for being ruthless and cunning. Roy was intrigued by her, and he made it his mission to meet her. One day, fate brought Roy and Selene together at a business conference. Roy was immediately captivated by Selene's beauty and intelligence. He found himself drawn to her, wanting to know more about the woman behind the tough exterior. Their first meeting was brief, but it left a lasting impression on both of them. Roy couldn't stop thinking about Selene, and he knew he had to find a way to see her again. He strategically planned to attend more events where he knew Selene would be present, hoping to catch her attention. Enjoy the Love journey between Roy and Selene through difficulties.
Married for four years, Emily remained childless. A hospital diagnosis plunged her life into hell. Unable to conceive? But her husband was rarely home during these four years, so how could she get pregnant? Emily and her billionaire husband were in a contractual marriage; she had hoped to win his love through effort. However, when her husband appeared with a pregnant woman, she despaired. After being kicked out, homeless Emily was taken in by a mysterious billionaire. Who was he? How did he know Emily? More importantly, Emily was pregnant.
The kiss grew more passionate as he felt her warm supple body pressing against his chest. He couldn't believe how soft she was. He was gentler this time, making love to her with a slow, languorous pace, pausing now and then to check the expression on her face. Kira was. transported. She no longer felt the fabric of the sheets underneath her. One moment, she was floating in the air, cuddled by cotton candy clouds. The next, she'd become one with a dinghy, bobbing up and down with the undulating waves. His scent enveloped her. He was on top of her, using his arms to support his weight and avoid crushing her. She snuggled up closer to him, safe and snug, cocooned in his warmth. Kira had always marvelled at Austyn's stamina, but he outdid himself tonight. In the midst of overwhelming rapture, Kira still had the presence of mind to broach the subject she'd been meaning to bring up. 'My dad's medical bills.' Austyn paused. He frowned as he looked into those beseeching eyes. 'It'll be taken care of by the end of business day tomorrow,' he said with a bit of an edge in his voice. Kira breathed out. ****** She is a 21-year-old college student who dreams of becoming a journalist. He is the heir of the McCarthy family and president of a business empire. She is bright-eyed and vivacious, a glass-half-full kind of gal. When life throws her a curveball, she knocks it out of the park. He is the archetypal alpha male, aggressive and domineering. Endowed with both brains and brawn, he steamrolls over his enemies and rules his company with an iron fist. The two would never have crossed paths if not for a cruel twist of fate. Kira's world was turned upside down when her father was hospitalised after a car accident. The medical bills were astronomical. Austyn McCarthy offered her a way out. The price: becoming his contract wife. At night, he consummated their marriage but called out another woman's name. Who was she? Why did Austyn marry Kira if he was in love with someone else? Kira was his lawful wife, but she had no right to ask these questions. Then one day, the woman showed up in front of her.
She doesn't remember getting married. Why? Sophia went to Las Vegas only to drink her pain away. Little did she imagine, she would end up becoming someone's wife. But who’s the lucky guy? Who knows? Even she doesn't remember. She was fucking intoxicated! All she has is a marriage contract with an expiry date and a bank balance big enough to pop her eyes out. Contractual terms: 1. Do not marry anyone else unless I permit you. 2. Try not to whore around. Your mother-in-law wouldn't be happy. 3. If I request a live-in relationship. You have to comply. 4. Sex is optional. 5. Contract Termination? Sorry Honey... In my family, couples don’t divorce. PS: I was kidding. Let's catch-up after three years to end this shit and get more money. If there are rules against having sex while drunk, there should be rules against getting married while drunk too. Because THIS isn't fair!
To exact revenge on her treacherous fiancé, Yvonne enticed Clayton into a liaison that promised advantages for both. Yet, when Yvonne spotted a woman resembling her at Clayton’s side, she recognized she was nothing more than a substitute. Discovering Clayton’s upcoming wedding, she departed with a generous severance sum. “Clayton, this is truly the end,” she declared resolutely. On the very day Yvonne was set to marry someone else, Clayton showed up, desperation clear in his eyes as he dropped to his knees. “Yvonne, please, don’t go through with it. Don’t marry him.”
When he woke up early in the morning, the woman he had a crush on lay beside him, but she was afraid. "President Miller, rest assured, I will not entangle you. I'll pretend nothing happened last night!" He narrowed his eyes dangerously. "So, aren't you going to be responsible for me?" Emma Wood was shocked, "What ?!" Did she hear it right? After the night, she bore a baby and had to marry him. She asked, "It's all your benefit, what can I get?" The man looked at her and slowly said, "As long as you want, as long as I have."
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.