"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.
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."