Loving him was forbidden. But resisting him was impossible. Sophia Romano was born into a world of power, betrayal, and bloodshed. As the daughter of a man entangled with the ruthless Romano mafia, she has spent her life walking a tightrope between obedience and defiance. But when she crosses paths with Luca Marino, her childhood sweetheart and her father's trusted and loyal enforcer, also the dangerously charming lost heir to a rival empire, everything changes. Luca is a man she should hate. Her enemy, her downfall, her greatest temptation. Yet, no matter how much she fights it, the pull between them is undeniable. But their love is more than just forbidden; it's a ticking time bomb. When secrets about Sophia's bloodline surface, revealing that she is the key to a power struggle far greater than she ever imagined, enemies become allies, loyalties are tested, and the line between love and destruction blurs. Now, with the ruthless Vincenzo Marino determined to claim her, even if it means killing his own brother. Sophia must decide: Is she willing to risk everything for love? Or will she become just another pawn in this deadly game?
Sophia Romano stood at the large windows of her father's penthouse; the city spread beneath her as she watched the lights that beautified it. She had been in this tower her entire life, surrounded by luxury, power, and the weight of her father's expectations. But tonight, something felt different. The air was heavy with tension, as if the city itself was holding its breath, like it was waiting for something to happen.
Her gaze drifted over the skyline and her thoughts became distant, that was she heard the familiar sound of heels clicking on marble echoed through the hallway. She turned just as her father entered the room, his eye was dark and sharp as he carried an overwhelming presence that intimidated anyone who came across him.
"Father." she greeted him with the practiced smile that had been drilled into her since her childhood. She was raised with strictness, not only from her father, but from everyone around her at the most.
Giovanni Romano was the head of the Romano mafia family; he was a man who demanded respect with every step he took. And at forty-five, he had built an empire that was based on ruthless deals and bloodshed. His reputation was notorious, and his power was unquestioned by all, but it was the shadows he cast that Sophia feared the most.
"Have you heard the news?" her father asked with a commanding voice. It was obvious that he couldn't care less.
Sophia stiffened. "What news father?"
"The deal's been made." Her father said as he took a step closer to her and narrowed his eyes. "The syndicate has agreed to our terms. This will be our moment. It will be the one that cements the Romano family as the most powerful in the world."
Sophia swallowed hard as she fought the discomfort that crawled up her spine. She had always known that her father's ambitions were endless, that he would go to any length to protect his empire. But the deal he spoke of, the one with the rival syndicate was darker than anything she had ever imagined.
"I'm proud of you, Sophia." He continued. He laid his hand on her shoulder with a firm grip. "You're ready to take your place by my side. Everything I've built will one day be yours."
A chill raced through her, and it was not just the cold, so she quickly cloaked her discomfort. "I'm honored, Father. I'm glad you finally see me that way."
There was a pit full of dread that she felt in her stomach. She had always known her father's love came with a price. So, she spent her entire life in the gilded cage he had built for her, surrounded by wealth, luxury, and expectations. She was his heir, his legacy, but that legacy felt more like a chain with each passing day.
"Good." Giovanni said with a satisfied smile that rarely appeared on his face. "Soon, the world will know that the Romani family controls everything." He turned toward the door, but then paused after a moment, his voice dropped as he spoke. "Just remember, Sophia, nothing is free. Not even your loyalty."
The door closed behind him with a finality that left her alone in the cold silence of the room.
Sophia's heart raced so fast that she couldn't catch her breath. She had heard the whispers, seen the glances exchanged behind closed doors. Her father's deals were never as simple as they seemed. They were dangerous. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized that whatever this deal was, it wasn't just about business, it was about her.
Her father had been grooming her for this life, he had been teaching her the ways of the syndicate and preparing her to take control. But in the back of her mind, the question lingered; was she merely a pawn in his game? Or did he actually want her to take control.
As she gazed down at the busy city below, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the elevator dinging. Her body stiffened, and she quickly turned, she was expecting to see one of the bodyguards or her father's men. But when the doors slid open, it wasn't one of the usual faces.
It was Luca Russo.
He was the enforcer, the cold, calculated killer who had worked for her father for years and yet remained an enigma. No one truly knew who Luca was, not even her father's closest allies. He was the ghost in the shadows, the one who carried out orders without question and without hesitation.
His dark eyes met hers as he stepped inside the penthouse, he had a presence that was as commanding as her father's, but there was something about him that made him not as intimidating as her father to her. Something she couldn't quite explain.
"You're late." she said with a steady voice, as she ignored the flutters that were everywhere in her heart.
"I'm not here to talk about time, Miss Romano." Luca replied, he had a deep voice that was as calm as it was scary.
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you here?" She folded her arms.
Luca's gaze flickered briefly toward the closed door of her father's office, then it moved back at her. "Your father wants to see you. Now."
Sophia's heart skipped a beat as Luca completed his words. She had a feeling that tonight was the night everything would change. There was a thick tension in the air that wasn't just about business, it was about something far darker, something hidden beneath the surface of her father's empire.
But as Luca turned to leave, he kept his gaze on her, and for the first time, Sophia saw something in his eyes that looked like a flicker of something more than just cold professionalism. It looked soft.
It was an emotion she couldn't place. But she was going to find out what it was.
She followed him down the hallway, with her steps heavier than the last, the weight of her destiny rested over her like a dark cloak.
When they reached the door to her father's office, Luca opened it without a word. He carried an unreadable expression on his face.
Giovanni sat at his desk with papers scattered before him, his expression was unreadable as well.
"Sophia, come in." he said without looking up.
Luca stepped aside and allowed her to enter. Sophia did so hesitantly as her mind raced with a million thoughts.
Her father's eyes never left the papers before him as he spoke. "There's something you need to know about the deal with the syndicate."
Sophia caught her breath. "What is it?"
Giovanni finally looked up at her with a look that could cut. "The syndicate doesn't want you just as an heir to the Romano name."
Sophia stood still like she was in a trance. "What do you mean, father?"
"They want you, Sophia."
The words from her father hit her like a slap. Her breath seized, she couldn't think.
Before she could react any further, Luca stepped forward, and his eyes were dark and filled with intent.
"It's not just business, Miss Romano," he said with a soft voice, yet she could detect a hint of warning in them. "This is your future. You have to consider that."
Sophia stared at her father and then at Luca, the weight of their words eating deep within her.
And in that moment, everything she thought she knew about her family, about her future, crumbled. It all fell apart like it was nothing.
Sophia's heart became faster as the truth hung in the air like a thick fog, it suffocated her with every breath she took. Luca's eyes never left hers, and with the way he stood so close, so powerful, it made her realize that the life she had once known was no longer hers. The world she was about to enter was one of blood, betrayal, and dark desires. Who knew what else she was getting into?
And as the door closed behind her, it locked her in with her father's self-made plans, she understood the true weight of the chains she had been born into.
But was there any escaping them now?
In the shadow of Chicago's glittering skyline, forbidden love blooms amid deep rooted betrayal. Adrian Lombardi, a charming playboy billionaire and reluctant heir to a notorious mafia dynasty, is entrenched in a world of power, luxury, and deadly secrets. His carefully curated life shatters when he crosses paths with Emilia Rivera, a humble flower vendor whose tender exterior masks a turbulent past. Unbeknownst to Adrian, Emilia is the lost daughter of a man betrayed by his own family, a truth that could dismantle the very foundation of his legacy. As sparks of animosity ignite into a passion that defies both worlds, Emilia's steadfast best friend, Lucia Morales, stands by her side. With streetwise cunning and unwavering loyalty, Lucia helps Emilia uncover the dangerous clues that bind their fates. Torn between the loyalty of blood and the call of the heart, Adrian and Emilia embark on a perilous journey where every petal hides a shadow, and every secret exacts a heavy price. In a city where beauty and danger intertwine, can love truly redeem the sins of the past, or will the scars of betrayal tear them apart?
Moonlit Secrets is a combination of self-awakening and darkness, all of which is set in the town called Silver Hollow. Evelyn Hart who is not interested in socializing, finds a historical oak tree marked with unfamiliar symbols, little did she know she had unearthed an old secret related to Silver Hollow's history. Deep in the shadows, "Silver Moon" and fragments of an ancient journal sheds light to the dark corners giving Evelyn a better understanding and making her increasingly curious to understand the town's past. When the truth opened up to Evelyn, she was stunned as it was not only her who was unmasked but there were powerful forces at play trying to keep her from understanding herself, a dark ritual, and an old artifact, all of which that was on the verge of disrupting the balance of the world. Stories of the past full of emotions, dark secrets and self-emerging capabilities. Moonlit Secrets is a fight and a journey to the unattainable, undoing a curse set for decades, and finding bravery under the alluring glow of the moon.
New Blood: Shadows Of the Night is a supernatural story that unfolds in the enigmatic town of Ravencrest that harbors werewolves, witches and vampires. The story follows the intertwined lives of Stacy Thorn and Caleb Evernight. With the series of unexplainable events that take place at night, including shocking disappearances and deaths of innocent people. Only the one born with a spark in their blood can help bring the people out of their misery.
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
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.
"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."
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!”
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!