When struggling college student Emma accepts a high-paying babysitting job, she never imagines stepping into the lavish but intimidating mansion of Leonardo "Leo" De Luca-the infamous and merciless mafia kingpin. Her charge? His 8-month-old son, Alessandro, a wide-eyed, chubby-cheeked baby whose giggles could melt even the coldest hearts. But Leo's world is far from safe. With enemies lurking in the shadows and his empire hanging by a thread, his life is a battlefield. At first, Emma's only concern is Alessandro's care-navigating sleepless nights, endless feedings, and the little boy's growing attachment to her. Yet, as she finds herself drawn to the vulnerable side of the ruthless mafia boss, she begins to see the man beneath the title. However, danger is never far away. As Emma becomes a beacon of light in Leo's dark world, threats close in on his family. Now, Emma must make a choice: walk away to protect herself or fight for the man and the child who've unexpectedly claimed her heart.
Emma adjusted her scarf against the biting winter wind, her cheeks stinging as she trudged through the snow-covered streets of the city. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking her focus on the job boards she'd been scrolling through for hours.
"Emma," her best friend Kara's voice chirped, "I found something perfect for you!"
Emma rolled her eyes, stepping into a small café to escape the cold. "If it's another retail gig that barely pays, I'm not interested."
"Not retail. Babysitting. High-paying babysitting," Kara emphasized.
Emma snorted, blowing on her frozen fingers. "Let me guess. Someone's kid who's the devil reincarnated?"
"Actually, it's a baby. Eight months old. And the pay is...well, insane."
Emma's interest piqued despite herself. "Insane how?"
"Ten grand a month."
Emma nearly dropped her coffee. "What? Are you joking?"
"Nope. I found the ad on an exclusive job site. It's super secretive, though. They won't tell you who the employer is until you're selected."
Emma frowned. "That sounds sketchy."
"Look, you need the money, right? What's the worst that could happen?"
Emma hesitated. Her rent was overdue, her tuition was piling up, and her part-time café job wasn't cutting it. She sighed, giving in to her curiosity. "Fine. Send me the details."
---
The next day, Emma found herself in an upscale office building downtown. The waiting room smelled of leather and faint cologne, and the receptionist eyed her with a mix of amusement and disinterest.
"Miss Harper?" A deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
Emma turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man in a sharp black suit. His dark eyes scanned her briefly, making her shift uncomfortably.
"Yes?"
"Come with me."
The man led her into a lavish office with floor-to-ceiling windows and minimalist décor. Behind a massive mahogany desk sat a man who could only be described as intimidatingly handsome. Sharp cheekbones, piercing eyes, and an air of authority made her pulse quicken.
"You must be Emma Harper," he said, his voice smooth but cold.
"And you are?" Emma asked, trying to mask her nerves.
"Leonardo De Luca." His gaze pinned her in place. "You'll be caring for my son, Alessandro."
Emma blinked, the name ringing a bell. It hit her like a freight train. Leonardo De Luca. The De Luca. Mafia kingpin, ruthless leader, and one of the most feared men in the country.
"I-I think there's been a mistake," she stammered, inching toward the door.
"There's no mistake," Leo said calmly. "You were recommended. I trust my sources."
Emma's stomach churned. "Mr. De Luca, I'm not sure I'm qualified for-"
"Your qualifications are not in question," he interrupted. "What matters is that you follow my rules and keep Alessandro safe. In return, you'll be compensated generously."
Before Emma could respond, a soft gurgle filled the room. She turned to see a nanny wheeling in a bassinet. Inside was the tiniest baby she'd ever seen, with bright hazel eyes and a mop of dark curls. The baby cooed and reached out a chubby hand.
"That's Alessandro," Leo said, his voice softening just slightly.
Emma's heart clenched. Against her better judgment, she reached out and let the baby grab her finger. Alessandro giggled, a sound so pure it made her forget, for just a moment, where she was.
"I'll do it," she blurted before she could stop herself.
Leo's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. "Good. You start tomorrow."
Emma stood in front of the De Luca mansion the next morning, her breath fogging in the crisp winter air. The sprawling estate was intimidating-gated, surrounded by tall hedges, and guarded by men who didn't even try to hide their firearms. She clutched her bag tighter, wondering for the hundredth time if she'd made a terrible mistake.
The front door swung open before she could knock, and the same sharp-suited man from the day before gestured for her to enter.
"This way," he said curtly, leading her through a grand marble foyer that felt more like a museum than a home.
They stopped in a sunlit sitting room, where Leonardo De Luca waited, his presence as commanding as ever. He was dressed impeccably in a dark suit, leaning casually against the armrest of a sleek leather couch. In his arms, Alessandro babbled happily, oblivious to the tension radiating from the room.
Leo didn't waste time. "There are rules, Miss Harper. You will follow them without question."
Emma nodded, her throat dry.
He handed Alessandro to the nanny, who disappeared down a hallway. Then, fixing Emma with an unrelenting stare, he began.
"Rule one: Alessandro's safety is your top priority. You will never leave him unattended."
"Of course," Emma said quickly, her voice cracking.
"Rule two: You do not ask questions about my business or my associates." His tone darkened.
Emma swallowed hard. "Understood."
"Rule three: You stay out of rooms that are locked. Those are not your concern."
Her curiosity flared, but she nodded again.
"Rule four: If anything feels off-anything at all-you notify me or one of my men immediately. Is that clear?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"Good." His eyes softened just a fraction. "Alessandro means everything to me. If you do your job, you'll have no issues here. Betray my trust..." He let the unspoken threat hang in the air, chilling her to the bone.
Before Emma could respond, Alessandro's cries echoed down the hall. Leo's cold exterior cracked slightly as he straightened, his jaw tightening. He nodded to Emma. "Go to him. Sofia will show you the nursery."
---
Sofia, the older woman who had wheeled Alessandro in the day before, led Emma to a nursery that looked like it belonged in a luxury magazine. Pale blue walls, plush carpets, and shelves lined with designer baby toys.
"There you go, little one," Sofia cooed as she placed Alessandro in a high-tech bouncer. "Emma will take good care of you."
Emma crouched down to Alessandro's level, offering a hesitant smile. "Hi, buddy."
Alessandro studied her for a moment, then giggled, reaching for her hair. She laughed despite herself, letting him tug gently at a strand.
"He likes you," Sofia observed with a smile.
Emma glanced up at her. "Has he had many nannies?"
Sofia's expression darkened slightly. "A few. But none stayed long."
"Why not?"
Sofia hesitated. "The De Luca household isn't... easy. But Alessandro is a sweet boy. Focus on him, and you'll be fine."
Emma wasn't sure what to make of that, but she pushed the thought aside as Alessandro began to fuss. She picked him up, marveling at how small he felt in her arms. He settled against her chest, his tiny hand gripping her sweater.
For the first time in days, Emma felt a flicker of calm.
Later that evening, as Emma rocked Alessandro to sleep, she heard low voices outside the nursery. Curiosity got the better of her, and she quietly cracked the door open.
Leo stood in the hallway, speaking with one of his men.
"They've made their move," the man said. "We intercepted the shipment."
Leo's jaw tightened. "Double security. No one gets near this house without clearance."
"Yes, boss."
Emma shut the door, her heart racing. It was a stark reminder of the world she'd stepped into-a world where even an innocent baby wasn't safe.
She looked down at Alessandro, now peacefully asleep in her arms. "Don't worry, little one," she whispered. "I've got you."
But as the shadows lengthened outside the mansion, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that she'd made a promise she might not be able to keep.
Sienna, a young woman caught in a marriage of convenience, and Damien Blackwell, a powerful and ruthless CEO. Sienna's life takes an unexpected turn when she's thrust into the public eye as Damien's wife, a role that comes with its own set of challenges and scrutiny. Initially, she is nothing more than a pawn in Damien's strategic moves, but as their relationship deepens, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about him-and herself. Damien is driven by ambition and control, but beneath his cold exterior, he harbors a fierce protectiveness over Sienna, one that surprises even him. When the press targets her, calling her a "gold digger" and questioning her worth, Damien steps in, using his power to shield her-but not in the way anyone expects. A passionate kiss in front of the press and his enemies becomes a declaration: Sienna is his, and he's willing to fight anyone who dares to challenge that. As their relationship grows more complicated, Sienna struggles with her feelings for Damien. She is torn between anger at his controlling nature and the undeniable chemistry between them. Yet, with every challenge they face, they find themselves drawn deeper into a web of desire, secrets, and lies. In a world where appearances matter, their love becomes a battlefield-a test of trust, loyalty, and the price of power. Amid the media frenzy, internal power struggles, and the constant threat of enemies lurking in the shadows, Sienna and Damien must navigate their way through a world that sees them as nothing more than a business deal. But as they confront their own feelings and the reality of their marriage, they must decide if they can truly find happiness together-or if their love will become another casualty of their ambition.
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?"
My boyfriend called, "Baby!" as he jumped out of bed and scrambled to pull his pants off the ground. "Please, I can explain my love." Shutting my eyes, I inhaled deeply and tried not to cry when I realized that my dream of the man not being my boyfriend had been dashed. "What?" I asked, "What do you want to explain?" How did you lie about having a business meeting while you were in bed enjoying yourself with my best friend, even though I told you I was in serious pain, is that it?" I stood there, my heart pounding, and tears streaming down my face...
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
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!
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.