He was the devil in a tailored suit. She was the journalist who should have stayed away. Billionaire mafia boss Alessandro Salvatore rules his world with ruthless precision-until investigative journalist Isabella Rossi crashes into his life. She's relentless, fearless, and far too tempting for her own good. He warns her to walk away, but Isabella never backs down from a story... or from him. When betrayal from within his own ranks puts Isabella in grave danger, Alessandro has no choice but to protect her. But keeping her close means risking everything-including his control. As enemies close in and forbidden desires ignite, Isabella finds herself in a deadly game-one where trust is a risk, and falling for the wrong man could cost her everything. The lines between power and passion are blurring. Secrets are unraveling. And in a world where love is a weakness and betrayal is fatal, one question remains... Will they survive the storm, or will their hearts be the ultimate casualty?
In the heart of New York City, where skyscrapers pierced the sky and yellow cabs weaved through traffic like fish in a stream, two vastly different worlds were about to collide. It was a warm spring evening, the kind where the city buzzed with an energy that crackled in the air. For most, it was just another night in the Big Apple. But for Alessandro Salvatore and Isabella Rossi, it would mark the beginning of something that would alter their lives forever.
Alessandro Salvatore stood at the floor-to-ceiling window of his penthouse in Salvatore Tower, gazing down at the shimmering lights of the city. Despite the breathtaking view, his thoughts were far from serene. As the head of the Salvatore crime family and CEO of Salvatore Enterprises, he had built an empire rooted in power, fear, and loyalty. His business empire-both legitimate and clandestine-flourished under his meticulous leadership. Yet, for all his success, there remained a void that neither wealth nor influence could fill.
Turning from the window, he stepped into the dim glow of his office. Tall, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, Alessandro carried an air of controlled menace. Dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, he embodied the power he wielded. But tonight, unease gnawed at him. There were murmurs of unrest within his organization, and his instincts told him that something significant was brewing.
"Boss, you're due at the club," Luca, his loyal second-in-command, reminded him, stepping into the office. A hulking man with a battered nose and a shaved head, Luca had been by Alessandro's side through countless battles.
"Thank you, Luca. I'll be down in a moment," Alessandro replied, his voice calm yet authoritative. Shrugging on his coat, he walked out, already shifting his focus to the night ahead.
Across town, in the buzzing newsroom of The New York Times, Isabella Rossi was finishing up her latest article. Her fingers danced over the keyboard, the rhythmic clatter blending with the background hum of ringing phones and urgent conversations. Isabella, a striking woman in her late twenties with dark curls and sharp, determined eyes, had built a reputation for being relentless in her pursuit of the truth. It had earned her both admiration and enemies.
"Isabella, are you coming to the club tonight?" her colleague, Emma, called out. "You promised you'd actually have fun for once!"
Glancing at the time, Isabella sighed. She had been so absorbed in her work that she had lost track of the hours. "Alright, alright," she relented, saving her document. "Just let me wrap this up."
Minutes later, she shut down her computer and grabbed her coat, a small thrill of anticipation sparking within her. It had been too long since she had allowed herself a night out. Stepping into the crisp evening air with her friends, she had no idea that this would be anything but an ordinary night.
Elysium was one of the city's most exclusive clubs, known for its opulent décor and elite clientele. As Isabella and her friends approached, the neon sign flickered invitingly, and the heavy bass from inside pulsed through the pavement. A long line of hopeful patrons stretched around the block, but Emma flashed a VIP pass, and they were ushered in without question.
Inside, the atmosphere was electric-pulsating lights, hypnotic music, and a sea of bodies moving to the beat. Isabella took it all in, slightly out of her element but intrigued. Following Emma to the bar, she ordered a drink and surveyed the crowd.
A strange sensation prickled at her skin-the distinct feeling of being watched. Her gaze swept across the club, stopping at a VIP booth where a group of men sat in quiet command. One of them, a tall, dark-haired man with an aura of authority, held her stare. Recognition jolted through her. She had seen his face before, in news reports and investigative files.
Alessandro Salvatore.
Alessandro's keen eyes stayed locked on Isabella. There was something about her-her confidence, her presence, the way she carried herself-that held his attention. He knew exactly who she was. Isabella Rossi. The journalist who had been sniffing around places she shouldn't.
"She's bolder than I expected," he murmured.
Luca leaned in. "She's been digging into some... sensitive areas lately."
Alessandro's interest deepened. He made a decision. "Invite her over."
A moment later, Luca approached Isabella and her friends, his expression neutral but unreadable. "Ms. Rossi, Mr. Salvatore would like to have a word with you."
Isabella's pulse quickened. She exchanged a glance with Emma, who raised her brows in silent encouragement. Taking a steadying breath, she followed Luca to the VIP section.
As she reached the booth, Alessandro rose smoothly, extending his hand. "Ms. Rossi, a pleasure."
"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Salvatore," Isabella replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, his presence commanding, but she refused to be intimidated.
They took their seats, a subtle tension settling between them. Alessandro studied her intently, and Isabella met his gaze head-on. It was a silent battle of wills.
"I've read your work. Impressive," Alessandro remarked, his voice smooth yet edged with curiosity.
"Thank you," Isabella said evenly. "I aim to uncover the truth, wherever it leads."
"A noble pursuit," he mused, a hint of irony in his tone. "But truth can be dangerous, especially in this city."
"I've never been one to shy away from danger," she countered, her eyes flashing with resolve.
Alessandro smirked, intrigued. "What brings you to Elysium tonight?"
"Just a night out with friends," Isabella said casually. "Didn't expect to cross paths with you."
"Life is full of surprises," he said. "Sometimes, paths cross for a reason."
Before she could respond, a commotion erupted at the entrance. Alessandro's men tensed, but with a subtle gesture, he signaled them to stand down. Isabella watched as a man was forcefully escorted out, shouting curses. It was a stark reminder of Alessandro's world-a world where power ruled, and danger lurked in every shadow.
As the night unfolded, their conversation flowed effortlessly, shifting from guarded exchanges to engaging debates. They spoke of art, politics, and the city they both called home. Isabella found herself intrigued by Alessandro's depth, by the contradictions within him. He was more than the ruthless crime boss the headlines painted him to be. Beneath the hardened exterior was a man shaped by the weight of his world.
For Alessandro, Isabella was unlike anyone he had ever met. Fearless, intelligent, unshaken by his presence. She was a challenge-and he had always loved challenges.
"Ms. Rossi," he said, his voice lower now, more intimate, "would you do me the honor of a dance?"
She hesitated briefly before placing her hand in his. "I'd love to."
As they moved onto the dance floor, the music slowed, the atmosphere shifting. Alessandro pulled her close, his touch both possessive and gentle. Isabella felt the strength in his hold, the power he commanded, but also the flicker of something deeper.
"You're a fascinating woman, Isabella," he murmured.
"And you're a complicated man," she replied softly. "I haven't quite figured you out."
Alessandro chuckled. "Maybe that's for the best. Some things are better left a mystery."
As their dance ended, Alessandro escorted her back to her friends, reluctantly releasing her hand.
"I hope to see you again," he said, his gaze holding hers.
"Perhaps you will, perhaps you won't." she answered, feeling the weight of the moment.
She signed a contract to survive. She never expected to fall for the devil himself. Amanda Holson's quiet life as a gallery assistant shatters when she's forced into a contract marriage with Leonardo Castelli-a billionaire whose name is whispered in the shadows of New York's underworld. Ruthless, powerful, and dangerously captivating, Leonardo is a man who always gets what he wants. At first, Amanda is just another piece in his game. But as the lines blur between duty and desire, she begins to see the man behind the cold, calculated mask. Secrets unravel, enemies close in, and soon, Amanda must decide: can she trust the man who owns her... or will loving him cost her everything? In a world where love is a weakness and power is everything, can their hearts survive the darkness?
In a city where shadows whisper secrets, love and danger are two sides of the same coin. Petra Volkov, a struggling artist and orphan, finds solace in her sketches at a quiet café-until Ethan Colombo, the enigmatic heir to an Italian mafia empire, walks into her life. Their connection is instant, electric, and impossible to ignore. But just as their love deepens, a shocking truth is unveiled: Petra is the lost daughter of Viktor Volkov, a feared Russian mob boss long presumed dead. With her hidden identity exposed, Petra is thrust into a ruthless power struggle. As rival factions conspire and betrayals lurk in every shadow, she becomes a pawn in a deadly game she never chose to play. When Petra is kidnapped, the stakes become terrifyingly real-forcing Ethan to confront his own family's brutal world. The past is rising. The war has begun. And the only way out... is to fight.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .
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.