She was a hacker sought out by mafia gangs and Luca Santoro was finally able to get his hands on her where she worked as a hostess to cover up her hacker identity. "You're just a mere pawn in my game, Ash Vega." "I am Astrid, no longer Ash Vega. Get it straight, Don Santoro." As they both went deeper and deeper into the darkness lurking, they developed a relationship they couldn't define. But she was good with codes, she could break the codes in his heart to define what they were. The more valuable an asset, the more it is sought for in the underground world. More giants rose in order to claim the valuable one Luca Santoro possesed. Will he be able to protect her?
Astrid's POV
The music boomed in the entire room, bringing the entire place alive. The Nexus was alive much more than usual tonight. The neon lights, the laughter, clinking of glass and the stench of smoke in the air combined to create the perfect illusion for safety but we all knew better. The safety here was just an illusion.
I weaved through the crowd while balancing a tray on one hand and offering flirtatious smile to the men I passed. Although I was trying to keep a low profile here, my beauty and service was one thing that couldn't be escaped.
The tight black dress hugged my curves in order to bring out my curves and keep the men's eyes on me in order to serve them well and I didn't mind it at all. This place was a cesspool of shady deals and dangerous people, but it was also my sanctuary.
Some may say it was a strange place to hide considering the dangerous people and all, but for me, it was perfect. No one ever looked twice at the hostess who seemed to be focused on getting her tips to notice anything else.
"Astrid, VIP table next." My supervisor ordered me through the earbuds in our ears and I hummed before heading towards the VIP tables for the side.
Tonight was a bit different though. I knew everyone who visited the clubs from time to time and those who didn't but one of them stood out today as the air around him did too. The entire atmosphere shifted as people subtly turned their heads and conversations turned into murmurs as he moved through the crowd, looking sleek and dangerous.
Even if I didn't know who he was, I would have recognized the power oozing off him in a scary manner.
Luca Santoro.
The name was whispered in the darkest part of the city, spoken with equal fear and respect. He was the kind of man mothers warn their daughters about, the kind that if you crossed his path, it spelt instant death. And he was here, at Nexus. As someone who knew he wouldn't be here without a reason, I had a very unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Men like Luca never frequent clubs like this unless they are looking for something of high value and I hated the way my curiosity was drawing me in. In anything except 'that' my curiosity never leads me somewhere fun.
"VIP table F, Astrid." My supervisor said again and that was when I noticed he sat at the table. Do I seriously have to be the one to serve a scary looking man like that?
He spotted me even before I could reach the table, his dark eyes locking into mine with precision. Like an hunter locking on its prey. My pulse quickened but I kept my expression neutral, forcing a smile as I approached the table he was seated, flanked by two of his men. They were as imposing as he was and wasn't even trying to soften their menace.
"Good evening." I said, my voice light and smooth. "Can I get you three anything?"
He didn't answer right away. He just let his gaze travel slowly up and down my body, assessing me like I was some merchandise he was considering buying. I fought the urge to shiver under his gaze, trying to keep my hostess facade.
"What's your name?" He finally asked, his voice low and smooth and I could almost ear it echo.
I hesitated just for a fraction a second, before answering. "Astrid."
His lips slowly curved up into a dangerous smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Astrid. A pretty name for a pretty face." He leaned back in his seat, his gaze not leaving mine. "I've heard you're good with computers, Ash Vega."
My heart skipped a beat but I kept my expression neutral. "I think you've got the wrong person, sir. I'm Astrid and I'm just a hostess here."
His smile widened but I could feel the lack of warmth in it. It was more of a deadly smile than a soothing one. "You see, I've been looking for someone with a particular set of skills and that led me to Ash Vega. Unfortunately, no one has heard from her over the past year and then my lead pointed me here. To you."
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my smile on. This was bad, very bad. I thought I've been able to keep a low profile all this while but they could still find me if they wanted to? "I think you've been misinformed. I know nothing about computers."
"Is that so?" He tilted his head, as if considering my words but the glint of the predator in his eyes remained which told me he didn't believe a word I was saying.
If Luca Santoro was looking for me of all people, it meant he knew a lot about me. And for someone who was on top of the food chain as him to come down here looking for me, I knew I couldn't escape whatever it was he came here for but I had to try my luck.
"You're the one I'm looking for and you are going to work for me." He finally said after leaning forward, his elbow on the table.
"I'm sorry. I'm not interested." I replied and at that instant, his smile vanished, replaced with a cold determination and I knew deep down that I've done it.
"You don't have a choice, sweetheart."
"You're mistaken. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other customers to attend to." I turned to leave, but one of his men stood in my way, his expression blank but threatening. I swallowed hard, looking back at Luca who was watching me with the same gaze.
"I'm not in the habit of repeating myself." He said softly. "You are coming with me, Ash. One way or another."
Panic surged through me but I was trying my best to keep calm. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
He was quiet for a few seconds before letting out a sigh as if disappointed. "I was hoping you'd see reason but I guess I was wrong." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small vial. I've seen the vial quite a few times to not recognise it. "But I guess we'll have to do it the hard way."
Before I could react, he was on me in a swift second. I took a step back, but it was too late. His hand clamped down on my arm as he pressed the vial against my lips. The liquid was bitter, sliding my throat before I could split it out.
"What did you–" My voice slurred, the room spinning as the liquid started to take effect. I was right, he had drugged me.
After a one-night stand with Gavin Russell, the Powerful and cold alpha CEO, Iris Green was smitten and she thought there could be something between them after realizing they were fated mates. Her hopes were crushed by his harsh words, "I don't eat the same food twice." Broken, she returned to her city to manage her family business but soon realized that a seed had been planted. Giving birth to a set of twins, she could not endure raising them alone, when they looked exactly like him. She sent one of them to Gavin with a note, "Dessert after supper." Gavin frowned when he received the parcel, from his son. He sent people to fetch that blondie but it was as if she disappeared from the face of the earth. Of course, the Green family was mysterious and she was the new head of the family. She only gets seen whenever she wants to be.
Mistaken for a runaway bride, Mildred's ordinary life is shattered when she's forced to marry the Alpha King. Trapped in a castle of secrets, she's a pawn in a deadly game she doesn't understand. When danger strikes, Mildred must face her greatest fear to save the kingdom and the heart of a king who never wanted to love her. Will their bond be their undoing, or will it be the key to their survival?
Ava had been scarred by her past relationship and had sworn off men for two long years. However, her best friend convinced her to attend a masked party, where she met a mysterious stranger. They shared a night of passion, but Ava soon discovered that she was pregnant and had no clue who the father was. Despite her best efforts, Ava was unable to locate the man, and decided to raise the child alone. 2 years later, fate intervened, and Ava and the mysterious man were brought together once again. But their reunion was fraught with obstacles, including the disapproval of Ethan's wealthy and influential mother, who believed Ava was not good enough for her son. Would they be able to overcome their differences and build a life together, or would their relationship crumble under the intense pressure and scrutiny?
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!”
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
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.
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"