Talia has spent her whole life as an escort to get by, yet everything changes on a single job. Kidnapped for a reason she knows not, she is brought face to face with Lorenzo, feared Mafia Don and King of the underworld. Intrigued by her, he takes her as his prized possession and she is all too eager to play the role if it means her survival. If only she could keep her head straight and ignore her deadly attraction to him. An offer comes that she cannot refuse, to act as a spy and put an end to Lorenzo 's reign. She longs for freedom, yet the more she spends around him, her heart begins to falter. When the time comes, will she have the strength to betray him? Or will deeper feelings get in the way. Will she be his lover, or the reason for his destruction?
TALIA
Ugh.
I cringed internally at the feeling of sand-like texture in my mouth. It wasn't a very pleasant experience and I tried to make my limbs move, my eyelids open, but it was much too difficult. My mind wavered between the realms of sleep and reality and I let out a sigh, turning my head to get more comfortable on the bed.
The sounds of a clock ticking drew me in and it echoed all around my head. Time was non-existent, but slowly questions arose in my mind.
Why did my nostrils hurt so much, like I'd just inhaled a bowl of peppers?
What was that scent?
How did I get back home? I couldn't remember for the life of me what had gone on the night before.
"Wake up doll. I don't like being kept waiting."
The sound of that unfamiliar deep male voice hit me. Then, my eyes flew open.
Wincing at the blooming headache, I slowly sat up on the bed, trying to get my limbs to cooperate. It was shaky but I managed it.
The sight that met me was a strange one.
Looking around me, I noticed the blue walls of the room. Black and gold curtains framed windows through which sunlight would stream in to my left, were it daytime. But it was night, and the vibes became even more eerie when I noticed the ticking sound didn't come from any clock I could see, but instead from a man's foot tapping on the ground.
"What the..." I trailed off, realizing I wasn't back in my apartment, or in my boyfriend John's penthouse. "Where am I?"
"You're in my home, doll. Eyes up. Look at me," he ordered, and I found I couldn't disobey.
When I met his eyes, I could see coldness in them. Unfortunately for me, he was deadly handsome, and set my heart beating fast.
That wasn't the only thing I noticed and I let out a gasp of recognition.
It was him. The one who came in with his men guns blazing at the agency.
The memories flashed through my head, memories I had thought- had HOPED were just a dream.
That night, I had arrived from my job escorting an old man who had become a regular of mine to the opera of all places. Still wearing an expensive evening gown which I had to rent, I went to my boss Ludovic's office to collect my nightly pay, preparing myself mentally for his shenanigans when he unfailingly tried to get me to sleep with him.
Being an escort wasn't what I wanted in life, but I had grown up poor. I had few opportunities in life, and when I couldn't get a call back from the numerous temp agencies I applied to at 17, I turned to this work to get ahead in life.
Before I could knock on Ludovic's door that night though, something happened.
The escort agency was suddenly under siege as screams and gunshots filled the air. Before I knew what was happening-
A hand gripped my chin and forced my head up, and I was pulled back into reality as the firmness of the hand didn't leave me alone. I was left staring into the most beautiful yet dangerous eyes I had ever seen.
"I believe I told you to look at me, doll. Don't test my patience," he hissed and I swallowed, trying to find courage to speak, to tell him anything. But I couldn't.
My tongue leaden in my mouth, I felt his hand stroke my cheek.
"Do you know who I am?" He asked in a much calmer voice, and I shook my head in response. "Let's just say I'm one of those men you don't fuck around with, doll. Lorenzo Gallieni."
My heart skipped. I'd heard of that name but only in stories. There was NO one who didn't know of Lorenzo or the Gallieni Mafia in this part of the world. This city was HIS, and he was the Don to steer clear of, one of the most feared with even the police and military in his pockets.
What did someone like him want with someone like me? I was nothing, just a mere escort trying to live.
"You see," Lorenzo continued, still stroking my cheek as I trembled. "Your boss, Ludovic's been owing me quite a sum. Five hundred thousand dollars, to be exact. And he has failed for five fucking months to pay me back. Now I'm sure you know where you come in."
My body broke out in hives. The Gallieni Mafia weren't one to take prisoners. What did my stupid boss' debts have to do with ME? Why did I have to be involved in this?
"N-No," my eyes were watery and I sniffed as my voice broke. "Please, I don't know anything about this. Please just let me go-"
His thumb covered my lip and I couldn't finish the sentence. His hands were still so gentle, yet his eyes were so cold that it left me shivering.
"Your boss has asked me to take whatever I fucking want to clear his debts. So I have chosen. And he was glad to give you to me, among other things."
No.
My eyes widened and tears rolled down my cheeks. I couldn't believe my ears.
Suddenly Lorenzo released my cheek and retracted his hand, standing to his feet. Then, without warning, he tossed something at me, and I flinched when it landed on the mattress, right beside me.
It was a dress, I could see the spaghetti straps and lace trim, it's silky sheen drawing my eyes to take it in.
"Get dressed," he ordered. Only then did I find it in me to speak.
"I have nothing to do with this. I can't be involved. I'm not the one owing you money. Ludovic-"
"Ludovic is dead."
Those words were delivered with gravel to his voice. The pit at the bottom of my stomach became heavier with terror filling my veins.
"And you will be careful to not end up the same way, doll. Get dressed, or I will make you."
...
Betrayed By One Now Wanted by Four Men! His Betrayal! On the dawn of her wedding day, Ember's life is thrown upside down as she is falsely accused of being behind the death of the Alpha, but while in prison, she discovers that her mate, alongside her best friend, had planned all this out to get rid of her and her unborn child. Her Second Chance! Upon escaping as a way to protect her children, she is soon caught by her raging mate; on her knees. A shot rings out, causing her to let out a scream, clenching her tummy before missing a step and falling down the cliff. For the sake of her kids, she begs to be saved. Her prayers but in the form of her second-chance mates...The rumored, feared, and ruthless Lycan Kings of the south. Her Revenge! It almost seemed like it was her second chance to make the man that had caused her pain bleed...Seeing that the Grey brothers, her second chance mates, will set the world ablaze for a mere scratch on their mate, she soon becomes an unbeatable force...One whose mission was to ruin Bloodhound Pack...she wouldn't heed straight on but rather start from the most minor factor and pull her strings. *** Two Lycan kings with a despicable past that would make anyone normal run far away and several maniac exes-the man who had attempted to kill her. A stranger appears from nowhere, claiming he was betrothed to her, and also holds the key to unlocking a part of her that was lost a long time ago. Vowing not to let the fates run her life, will she be able to make the right decision before it ruins other lives? Including hers?
Eveyln White was used to living a double life - college student by day at the top of her class, mousy and introverted, and a bombshell stripper by night only known as Eve. Things all come to a head when her bouncer boyfriend, Charlie, angers a patron of the club, who turns out to be one of the most dangerous men in the world, Mafia Boss Antonio Bernoti.
Her mate’s violent rejection, an unintentional confession from her parents and the shame from the well spread rumour decides Iris’fate in one night. She was going to jump off a cliff, an end to a life destined to be long suffering mixed with violent shame. But what happens when her supposed death opens doors that some individuals preferred closed and what happens when circumstances and fate place her in a position that she eventually needed to be saved from. A choice between the life she knew with a man who despised her or a life with the man who had alot of secrets. A death she didn’t bargain for, a reunion she didn’t see coming… She was supposed to be dead, that was the plan but what if some people took it personally?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
"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."
[Cute Baby + Secret Identity + Powerful hero and heroine!] Caroline loved Damian with all her heart for five whole years. She devoted herself to him and lived humbly for his sake. However, when the couple faced a crisis, she hoped that the news of her pregnancy would fix their marriage, but what she got in return was just a divorce agreement. And to make things worse, while she was about to give birth, she had fallen into someone's trap and her life was in danger. After managing to survive such a harrowing experience, she was determined to cut all ties with the man. Five years later, she re-emerged with her head held high, being the CEO of a famous company. Those who used to bully her now got a taste of their own medicine. And the truth about the past gradually surfaced... Dazzled by Caroline's newfound confidence, her ex-husband wanted to get back together with her, but she just turned a blind eye to his advances. Damian pleaded desperately, "Honey, our baby needs both his parents. Please remarry me!"
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”