Gnero pulled me into his arms, comforting me as I clung to him. The tension between us was electric, our bodies drawn together in a way that needed no words. "I want you," I whispered, our breaths mingling. Those men had told me something that hunted me... They had known that I was a virgin. I could see the way Gnero's eyes were wild with hunger, at least it would be better if my first was my husband even though I never agreed to such a marriage, at least it would be my choice. I placed my hand on his chest, a clear indication of what I wanted even though I didn't know what exactly that I was doing. A smirk played on his lips. "I thought you'd never say it," he murmured, pulling me into a kiss that melted me into him. Vanessa De La Cruz was the first child of the De la Cruz mafia family, she had dreams and aspirations to become the first female Mafia boss in Italy but that was until her father sold her to the Gnero family, a rival and an enemy for generations in other to seal a pact and for information on a secret that Vanessa was not aware of and when she meets Gnero she knows that he was the weapon that had been fashioned against her that was until twenty hours later, her father was murdered in cold blood and she as set up as the traitor of the family, she realizes with horror that Gnero is the only one that can save her.
Vanessa POV's
My heart was brimming with joy as I walked towards my father, his hands resting on the well decorated staff carved out of an expensive piece of wood that showcased his power and wealth.
"Happy birthday, my Nessa," he whispered, placing a tender kiss on my cheek. His warmth filled me with joy, the kind only a father's love can bring.
"I have a surprise for you," and despite the joy in my heart and on my face, I couldn't help but feel a slight wave of unsettlement. I didn't know why but somehow I felt that there was more than the celebration for my twenty-Fourth birthday.
Being the only daughter of Emilio De la Cruz, one of Italy's most powerful men, I was no stranger to surprises. His wealth and influence followed me everywhere, casting a long shadow over my life. Even though I was legally his first child, my father treated me as his cherished last, something I never questioned-until now.
He led me away from the party, where a group of unfamiliar men in black suits waited. Their stern expressions and silent demeanor would have frightened anyone else, but I was accustomed to my father's world-a world where men in black meant business. As the first child to my father, I was his biological heir which meant I was about to make history.
The unease I was feeling was having a tug of war with the excitement that swelled within me.
I have waited for this day for years, prayed and fought and my father has always reminded me that certain things were not meant for women which was what brought the question - Why were we here?
I shook my head, remembering that today was a day of joy as I was on the verge of breaking those outdated beliefs.
My father held my hand and helped me into his Rolls Royce, and I couldn't help but exhale, the uneasiness was still there but I was trusting that my long-awaited dream was about to come true.
We pulled up to the airport and the first thing I noticed was the empty lot, I wasn't worried. Daddy owned alot of places.
But as we pulled up, that unease from earlier bloomed into full-blown worry. I noticed another car pulling up behind us, and my heart sank when I recognized it as one of my three step-brothers'. Antonio, my immediate younger brother, stepped out, flanked by our siblings, their faces twisted into identical smirks.
What were they doing here?
My father helped me out of the car, but my attention was on Antonio, whose grin made my skin crawl.
"Father?" I questioned, but before I could press him, Antonio cut in with that infuriating smirk.
"I have gathered you all today because it's a special day, and as such, I have special news," my father said, taking my hand and guiding me toward a private jet. The unfamiliar badge on the jet only deepened my suspicion. My brothers' knowing grins told me they were in on whatever was happening.
We stopped at the base of the jet, and my father handed me a key that looked unlike any car key I had ever seen.
"For you, my Nessa," he said, his voice soft yet heavy with meaning.
My eyes widened in disbelief as I snatched the key. "Yo-u got me a private jet?!" I shrieked, unable to contain my excitement. I threw myself into his arms, tears of joy streaming down my face as I kissed his bald head, laughing in both Spanish and English.
"Your husband did," Antonio's voice sliced through my happiness, freezing me in place.
My joy turned to ice as I whirled around to face him, my voice trembling with anger. "Are you such a brat that you can't go a day without trying to ruin my life? This is my birthday, for God's sake!"
Antonio stepped closer, his amusement only deepening my rage. "You mean, your wedding day."
A chill ran down my spine as I looked at my father, silently pleading for him to deny it. But his eyes avoided mine, his guilt unmistakable.
"Dad?" My voice cracked, my thick Italian accent betraying the fear creeping into my heart.
"I was going to tell you," he started, but the words felt like a knife twisting in my gut.
"You said it was a surprise," I stammered, trying to rationalize his betrayal. "I can't be mad because you didn't tell me about the jet before-"
But he had already stepped back, and Antonio's mocking grin remained fixed.
"What's going on?" I asked, dread filling every fiber of my being.
Antonio sighed, exasperated. "What part of 'it's your wedding day' do you not understand, chica?"
"Enough!" My father barked, cutting him off. "Go and watch the car."
For the first time that day, Antonio's smile faltered. "Yes, Papa," he muttered before leaving, but the damage was done. I was alone, surrounded by unfamiliar men who now inched closer, their intent clear.
Panic seized me. "Dad?" I pleaded, but he grasped my hands, forcing me to focus on him instead of the looming threat.
"Our families have been at war for far too long, Nessa," he said, his voice heavy with resignation. "This marriage is the only way to stop the bloodshed. The Gneros are a powerful ally, and they are a perfect match for you."
I gasped, the reality of his words crashing down on me. "What?"
"Forgive me. My Nessa. I'll see you very soon, before you even know it," he said, his voice breaking as he stepped away, leaving me to the mercy of the men who now closed in.
"No. no!" I screamed, my mind battling with disbelief. How could he do this to me? How could he sell me off like a pawn in his mafia game?
But it was too late. The men grabbed me, their grip firm but not unkind as they pushed me toward the jet. I fought back, but one of them lost patience and threw me over his shoulder, sprinting up the stairs while I kicked and screamed, calling out for my father.
As I was carried away, I caught a final glimpse of Antonio, his eyes gleaming with victory as he took everything from me in one cruel stroke.
My mind was at war with itself, each thought spiraling as it became clearer and clearer than we were flying toward an unknown future.
I had to be calm and If there was one thing I had learned from my father, it was that composure was power. I would not let them see me break.
We arrived shortly after and I couldn't help but realize how much wealth was poured into the structure, it beat the mansion I grew up in as a child. The Gneros were clearly wealthy beyond measure. The men handed me off to a group of stern-faced women, who led me through the mansion with the efficiency of those used to taking orders.
But as we walked, I heard voices-male voices-coming from somewhere deeper in the house. My heart pounded as I realized this might be my chance. If I could meet this Gnero, maybe I could convince him that this marriage was a mistake.
I bolted, ignoring the shouts of the maids. My dress hiked up as I ran, and my heels clicked furiously on the marble floors. I reached a grand door where the voices were loudest and flung it open.
My eyes widened in shock, a gasp escaped my lips immediately drawing attention of everyone in the room as I felt the blood drain from my face.
"Ah. I see, my wife has arrived," he said, his voice smooth but his eyes holding something sinister, it made my skin crawl.
“I used to have ice surrounding my heart, but it melted the moment I fucked you,” Hardin said and she scoffed. “It was just a harmless sex, grow up kid, and let me go!”She yelled. Freda was cheated on by her boyfriend because, he claimed she was bad at sex so he had to cheat. Freda was angry so she went to the clubhouse with the intention of having sex with another man just to see if she was really bad at it. She didn’t know she ended up having sex with a mafia lord. Later on, she was kidnapped by him who was lust after her after having sex with her. He threatened to kill her best friend if she refused to be with him, having no choice, Freda agreed with an intention of killing him. Slowly, she didn’t know how this hatred of hers turned into love, something she wasn’t willing to let go even if he was indifferent towards her. “You’re just one of his sex toys Freda, I was once like you. When he’s done with you, he’d trash you,” Despite knowing all of this, would she let go or hold on it him? Find out!
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
Sheila had her back against the wall when her family tried to force her to marry an awful old man. In a fit of rage, she hired a gigolo to act as her husband. She thought the gigolo needed money and did this for a living. Little did she know that he was nothing like that. One day, he pulled off his mask and revealed himself to be the world's top magnate. This marked the beginning of their love. He showered her with everything she could ever want. They were happy. However, unexpected circumstances soon posed a threat to their love. Would Sheila and her husband make it through the storm? Find out!
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
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.
Madison had always believed that she would marry Colten. She spent her youth admiring him from afar, dreaming of their future life together. But Colten was always indifferent to her, and when he abandoned her at a time when she needed him most, she finally realized that he never loved her. With renewed resolve and a thirst for revenge, Madison left. Endless possibilities lay ahead, but Colten was no longer part of her plans. Colten rushed to her place in a panic. "Madison, please come back to me. I’ll give you everything!" It was his powerful uncle who answered the door. "She's my woman now."