"I'm good at many things, Olivia..." Dante's voice was low, almost dangerous. "...and if you let me, I'll show you every single one." Her breath caught. "Then show me," she whispered, daring to trail her fingers up his arms, tracing every hard vein until she reached his sculpted biceps. Then higher. Her nails dug into his neck as she pulled him closer, craving the heat of his breath. "Show me all of you, Dante." --- The night Olivia plans to confess her feelings to Lucas - her best friend - everything falls apart. Heartbroken and humiliated, she walks alone under the rain, desperate to disappear. That's when she crosses paths with Dante Salvatore - the man who will ruin her carefully planned future. Older. Forbidden. Dangerous. Dante is twice her age and the father of her best friend. Falling for him could destroy her. And maybe... That's exactly why she wants him so badly.
Olivia Fernandes
I woke up with a start. I sat up in bed, breathless, rubbing my hands over my face in a desperate attempt to shake off the tormenting thoughts that haunted me.
For seven days straight, I'd been waking up like this. Dazed, disoriented, sweating, and ashamed.
Whenever I closed my eyes, the vivid, lifelike dream that had been plaguing me all week came rushing back. I could recall every detail-the intensity of his touch, his scent, the overwhelming sensations that took over me when I allowed myself a taste of what could be... if I weren't so damn scared.
That's exactly how I felt every time I saw him.
Lucas. My best friend from college. The popular guy every girl in high school dreams but unlike all the boys I'd known back then, he was different. Handsome, smart, kind.
Which is why I always believed it had to be some sort of trap. There had to be something lurking beneath the surface. Something Lucas was hiding behind all that charm and perfection. Some toxic trait, an annoying habit, poor hygiene- anything to prove he wasn't so... flawless.
But after a year of being around him, I'd found nothing. Nothing to kill the butterflies that fluttered in my stomach every time he smiled at me. Nothing to stop the sharp, aching pull in my chest when he was near.
And that infuriated me. Not because I wanted to find something wrong with him, but because I wanted to stop feeling this way. I wanted to get rid of the helplessness that came with being too afraid to admit how I felt.
It wasn't just cowardice. It was this gut-deep fear that telling him would ruin everything. That he'd laugh, or worse, pity me.
It was hard not to believe my looks would get in the way again.
My brother had done a pretty good job convincing me no one would ever find me remotely attractive. And even though people constantly told me otherwise-even though I was often considered one of the prettiest girls in class despite not being a size zero-I still doubted it.
I always wore dresses that flattered my curves, mostly pastel shades, adorned with bows and lace, romantic and vintage all at once. I turned heads, sure.
But emotional scars from abuse don't fade so easily.
And throughout the day, while I got ready for Lucas's 24th birthday party, all those thoughts clung to me like fog.
Love, insecurity, courage-they tangled in my mind like a web I couldn't escape from. And as I stared at myself in the mirror, I knew the choice to untangle it all rested entirely in my hands.
The door creaked open, and I jumped slightly. My roommate stepped in, eyes widening as she took in my appearance.
"Damn, Liv!" Natália whistled. "If I were single, I'd hit on you." She winked, and I gave her a shy, sheepish smile.
Compliments were always hard for me to take, even though I heard them often.
"Do you think I overdid it?" I smoothed down a wrinkle in the black velvet dress. It had a slit on the right thigh and a plunging neckline that showed just enough.
"With the Salvatores? Honestly, you might be underdressed." Nat pulled a worn-out pack of cigarettes from her bag and tossed it onto the bed, leaning by the window to light one.
I frowned, worried at her words, but she just shrugged and went on, "You look amazing, seriously. They're just over the top. I mean, people say Lucas's mom is weird."
"Everyone says that. I still think it might be an exaggeration," I said, slipping on a pair of black heels and placing a matching headband delicately on my head.
The truth is, I didn't know what to think about Lucas's family. Unlike most wealthy families, they were very private.
No tabloid drama, no scandals, not even a single juicy rumor. They would be completely anonymous-if they didn't practically fund the entire university.
That was part of what made me so nervous about tonight. That, and the fact that I'd chosen this party as the moment I would finally tell Lucas how I felt.
So, I spent the whole day getting ready. I put on my best outfit and mentally rehearsed every word of my carefully planned confession.
On the ride there, I kept reciting my speech in my head, trying not to forget anything important. But the moment the driver pulled up to the Salvatore estate's front gate, it was like my brain went numb.
Security checked my name on the list and pointed me toward the path leading to the house. For a second, I genuinely thought I'd arrived at a second university campus- it was that massive.
It took a few minutes to walk the stone path, and let me tell you, walking in stilettos was not helping.
As soon as I heard the thump of bass-heavy music, I knew I was close.
I entered through a side entrance-far from the main doors of the mansion-where a few staff members were welcoming guests. And then I understood what Nat had meant.
Everything was... extravagant. Loud colors, ornate chandeliers, bold and even bizarre decor. Irregular geometric shapes, provocative art hanging on the walls.
Yet the paintings stood out. They were beautiful in a way that clashed with everything else- subtle colors dulled by harsh lighting, yet they pulsed with emotion, each brushstroke soaked in a kind of raw, passionate energy.
I stood there, transfixed, completely absorbed by the naked honesty in the images, one depicting love in its most vulnerable, unfiltered form.
The room grew warmer and more crowded with every passing second. I felt out of place, surrounded by strangers, my nerves prickling.
And then I saw him.
"Since you want to save your parents, what do you propose in return?" the dark-haired man asked, maliciously. "I'll do whatever it takes," she replied, her voice trembling, watching her parents' eyes bulge with worry. "Are you willing to do anything?" He asked before continuing. "Your wish is my command, princess. You're coming with me." --------- When the ruthless head of the Capital Mafia sends his son, Damiano Mazzini, to collect a debt, he has no idea that this mission will set off a series of events that will change his life forever. Victoria Moretti is a young medical student excited to spend her college vacation with her beloved parents. However, she doesn't imagine that this family reunion will turn into a nightmare when their home is invaded by ruthless criminals, leaving her parents as hostages. Driven by surprising courage and selflessness, Victoria offers to take her parents' place as collateral for the debt. This decision places her in the center of the dangerous Mafia world, trapped in a dark and imposing mansion. While Damiano follows his father's orders, he cannot ignore the captivating and courageous presence of Victoria. Intrigued by the beautiful, long-haired redhead, he is confronted with conflicting feelings amidst the criminal life he has always known. As time passes, the two become ensnared in a web of secrets, betrayals, and forbidden passion. Amid imminent danger and chaos, Damiano and Victoria are forced to confront their deepest desires, rediscovering the meaning of love and loyalty in an environment filled with deadly perils.
In the bustling world of Chicago's largest entertainment company, Jonathan Jones embarks on a thrilling journey as an intern, inching closer to his dreams with each passing day. However, an undeniable tension fills the air whenever he finds himself in the presence of his enigmatic boss, Elliot Park – the trailblazing, young CEO leading a multimillion-dollar empire. Despite the momentary attraction that sparks between them, Elliot grapples with primal instincts that put his hard-earned career at risk, all while facing relentless scrutiny due to his age. Jonathan and Elliot couldn't be more different, hailing from separate worlds, yet a magnetic and uncontrollable allure draws them together. Caught in a captivating dilemma, they stand at the crossroads between the safe path and an enticing plunge into chaos. And when faced with the tempting pull of desire, they make a daring choice that will forever alter their destinies. Join Jonathan and Elliot in this gripping tale of ambition, passion, and the electrifying power of love as they navigate a world where heart and head collide, and the line between safety and thrilling adventure blurs in the pursuit of something extraordinary.
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."
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
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."
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
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. .
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?