Aurora "Rory" DeSanto is the daughter of New York City's most powerful and feared mafia don. Groomed from childhood to inherit the DeSanto empire, Rory has always known the weight of her legacy. But deep down, she longs for a different life, one filled with art, freedom, and escape from the shadows of crime. When her father is murdered in a brutal ambush, Rory is thrust into a world of danger, betrayal, and impossible choices. With the family's future hanging in the balance, Rory must decide whether to step into her father's shoes as the new don or risk everything to break free from the mafia's grip. Torn between loyalty to her family and the chance for a new beginning, Rory is drawn into a dangerous romance with Alexander, a mysterious man connected to her father's death who may not be who he seems. As the lines between love, loyalty, and revenge blur, Rory must confront her destiny and decide what kind of woman and leader she will become. Will she uphold her family's legacy, or carve out her own path in a world that has always tried to control her?
Aurora "Rory" DeSanto had always known what was expected of her. From the moment she was old enough to walk, her father, Don Giovanni DeSanto, had made sure she understood the intricacies of their world-his world. The world of power, influence, and bloodshed.
The DeSanto family was New York's most feared mafia dynasty, and Rory had been groomed to one day take over the reins. She had learned the importance of loyalty, respect, and silence.
She had been taught how to negotiate with ruthless men and how to navigate the dark undercurrents of the city without drawing attention. But despite all of that, Rory had never truly wanted it. She had never wanted to be part of the family business.
As a child, she had dreamed of a different life. One where the only thing she had to worry about was her next art class or gallery opening, not the consequences of a poor decision made by her father or one of his men.
She had fallen in love with painting-an escape from the world that seemed to suffocate her. And so, she kept her love for art hidden, carefully nurturing it in secret, away from the eyes of her family, especially her father.
But now, that world seemed further away than ever.
The night her father died, everything changed.
It was a crisp autumn evening when the news came-her father had '
been killed in a brutal ambush, the latest in a long line of bloody rivalries between New Yorks most powerful families.
The DeSanto name, once synonymous with unshakable strength, was now vulnerable. It felt as though the ground beneath her feet had cracked open, and Rory was falling into a world she had spent so long trying to avoid. Her father''s death wasn''t just a loss to her personally.
It was a crack in the foundation of their empire.
The moment Marco, the family's consigliere, arrived with the news, Rory knew what it meant. She had been carefully trained for years to take her father's place, but this this was not something she had prepared for. She could feel the weight of it pressing down on her, suffocating her.
Marco had been with her father for years, a quiet and calculating man who never showed emotion. He was loyal to the family, and more than anyone else, he believed Rory was the one to continue her father's legacy. He believed she was the one who could protect what Giovanni had built.
"Rory," Marco said that night, his tone grave. "We need to talk. You know what needs to be done."
Rory stood in the grand foyer of the DeSanto mansion, staring at the large portrait of her father that hung above the staircase. His eyes, once so full of life and authority, now felt like they were watching her, silently demanding her next move. She swallowed hard, trying to force back the emotions threatening to overtake her. She was numb.
"I can't do it, Marco," Rory said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want this. I don't want to be part of this world."
Marco's expression softened, though his eyes remained intense. "I understand, but you don't have a choice. The family is counting on you. They trust you. You've earned their loyalty. Without you, we're vulnerable. We'll lose everything your father worked for."
She shook her head, pacing back and forth. "I don't care about the business. I don't care about the power or the respect. I care about my freedom. I was supposed to have a different life, Marco. I wanted to leave this behind."
But Marco wasn't one to show weakness. "Your father didn't build this empire for you to walk away from it, Rory. He built it to protect you, to make sure you had the power to do what was right. If you run now, the blood that's been spilled won't mean anything."
Her heart pounded in her chest. She knew he was right. Her father had always told her that the mafia was about loyalty to the family, that they were bound together by something more powerful than blood.
But the price had always seemed too high. The mafia had taken so much from her-her freedom, her peace of mind. And now, it threatened to take away what little of herself she had left.
"I don't know if I'm strong enough for this," she admitted, her voice shaking.
"You don't have to be strong enough, Rory. You just have to step up. You've been trained for this your whole life. You're ready." Marco's words were calm, but there was an edge of urgency in them. "The men respect you. They'll follow you. Your father trusted you above all others."
Rory felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Her father trusted her? Or had he simply groomed her to follow in his footsteps, to inherit his empire as though it were a piece of property, a legacy that couldn't be left behind?
The decision was looming over her like a dark cloud. Could she really step into her father's shoes? Could she take up the mantle of Don, leading an empire built on fear and violence? Or was there still time to escape, to find a life away from this world that had been forced upon her?
As she stood there, torn between two paths, she heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching from behind. She turned just as the door to the study opened.
A man in a dark suit entered the room-tall, with a commanding presence. It was Antonio, one of her father's most trusted enforcers. His face was grim, his eyes filled with silent understanding.
He hadn't spoken yet, but the look he gave her said everything: the family was watching. The men were waiting for her to make her choice.
Rory swallowed. The weight of her father's legacy was heavy, but the weight of her decision was even heavier. She couldn't turn back now.
"What's the word, Miss DeSanto?" Antonio's voice was low, respectful, but there was a trace of expectation in it. He was waiting for her to lead.
For the first time in her life, Rory felt the full responsibility of her name pressing down on her.
She was no longer just a daughter-she was the heir to the DeSanto family. And the world around her was closing in.
With a deep breath, Rory straightened her back. She had a choice to make, and she had to make it now.
"I'll do it," she said, her voice firm. "But on my terms. I'll lead the family, but not in the way my father did. I will find a way to honor his legacy while protecting what's left of our humanity."
Antonio nodded without hesitation. "Understood, Miss DeSanto. We'll follow your lead."
Rory took a deep breath, her decision final. She couldn't run anymore. The life she had tried to escape had caught up with her, and she had to face it head-on.
And so, with one foot still in the world of art and the other in the brutal world her father had created, Rory took the first step toward her new life.
The DeSanto family would rise or fall based on the choices she made.
She had no idea just how much those choices would cost her.
TO BE CONTINUED...
The Heiress's Forbidden Love is a sweeping tale of passion, defiance, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of high society and rigid expectations. Evelyn Whitford, the beautiful and dutiful heir to a vast fortune, has been groomed to uphold her family's legacy-but her heart longs for a life of freedom, a life with Alexander, a man of no title or wealth. When love leads her to defy her father's demands, Evelyn must navigate the perilous consequences of her choice. Torn between the world she knows and the future she dreams of, Evelyn faces the ultimate question: Is love worth the cost of everything she's ever known? A story of forbidden love, societal pressure, and the fierce pursuit of one's true desires, The Heiress's Forbidden Love explores the courage it takes to choose freedom over inheritance, and to follow one's heart even when the world tries to tear it apart.
Lily Monroe is a fearless private investigator who's used to handling complicated cases, but nothing could prepare her for a job involving the infamous mafia boss, Luca Moretti. When Luca hires her to find a missing man linked to dangerous secrets, Lily is thrust into a world of power, betrayal, and shadows. As she digs deeper into the case, she finds herself drawn to Luca in ways she never expected-his icy exterior hides a man who plays by his own ruthless rules. Caught between loyalty, passion, and the deadly consequences of getting too close to the mafia, Lily must navigate a dangerous game where one wrong move could cost her everything. In a world where love and betrayal are often one and the same, can she resist falling for the man who holds the city's fate in his hands? "Falling for the Mafia Boss" is a gripping tale of love, power, and betrayal-where trust is scarce, and the lines between right and wrong are always blurred.
Emily's life is turned upside down when she discovers she's the target of a sinister organization known as The Order. With no one to trust, she's forced to rely on Ryder, a mysterious and handsome stranger who seems to be hiding secrets of his own. As Emily navigates the treacherous world of The Order, she finds herself drawn to Ryder, despite the danger that surrounds him. But can she trust him with her life? And will their forbidden love be enough to save them from the clutches of The Order? His Dangerous Obsession is a heart-pumping romantic thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With twists and turns at every corner, this story of love, danger, and obsession will leave you breathless.
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Mia's life is spiraling out of control. Abandoned by her mother, bullied mercilessly at school, and thrown into a household of four dangerously attractive stepbrothers, she's desperate to find her footing. "You look absolutely edible," Sean growled, his eyes devouring her. Mia felt a rush of heat between her thighs "Oh, you think so?" she purred, turning to face him. She reached out and traced her fingers along the ribbon that wrapped around his waist. "Well, I've been waiting for this all day. And I'm starving." Sean's smile grew into a predatory grin. "Then let us feast," he said, and in a flash, the ribbon fell away, exposing his rock-hard length. He stepped closer, and Mia felt the warmth of his breath on her face as he whispered, "You're going to take every inch of us tonight, aren't you?" With Rolex's teasing smirk and Sean's quiet, hot stares, Mia doesn't know where to turn-or who to trust. Every glance, every touch leaves her breathless, confused, and craving more than she should. Will Mia survive their games, or will she lose herself in a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and forbidden desire? One house. Four brothers. Endless temptation.
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
"I stood at the edge of my heart and watched him choose her. In the end, I was not the one he needed. I was simply the one he settled for." - Noelle ~~~~~~~ I thought I was the one he loved. But a few days before our wedding, I saw him in a way I never had before. His eyes softened as he spoke to her. His first love, and the very woman who had left him in pieces. Heartbreak was something I knew too well. And as I watched the love he still held for her in his eyes, I realized what I had to do. I couldn't marry a man who wasn't truly mine. With no means to cancel the wedding and lacking the courage to confront him, I made a desperate choice to leave. I painfully gave his first love my treasured engagement ring thinking it was for the best and the only way to free myself. But when he saw that ring on her finger, the fragile world I had tried to escape began to shatter. His obsession to find me and bring me back ignited a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Elisa watched as the most important people in her life showered the evil imposter-The fake heiress, with love. Elisa, the lost daughter of one of the most wealthiest family was found 18 years later and was brought back to her rightful home. However, someone had already taken her place. A fake heiress, the pampered little princess. Her coy acting and innocent façade made Elisa's real mother love her more than Elisa, her real daughter. That made Elisa, though, the true daughter end up as an adopted child. "Elisa, could you try not to appear in front of her too much as it could trigger her insecurities." Her parents had told her because of the fake heiress. "Elisa, You've taken everything away from her. Why can't you give her a little more?" Her fiancé had ordered her. Because of an unfortunate accident plotted by Isabelle-The fake heiress, Elisa was sent to prison and her family cut ties with her without a second thought. Four years, after much torture which led to her being crippled and blind on one eye, she was released, but got hit by a truck. While laying on the pool of her blood, she wanted to question, Why? Why had they all treated her so cruelly, while they love Isabelle unconditionally? She badly wanted to rip off Isabelle's mask of innocence, to reveal the fake, manipulative woman beneath. She was full of hatred. But after her death, she woke up back to when she was 18 years like all that happened were all nightmare. She was elated. She was reborn to re-live all that had happened in her last life, but now, her mission was to reveal mask beneath that woman and make everyone that made her suffer in her past life pay. It was her time for revenge! And definitely, she won't mess this up!