When Sophia Reyes' younger brother crosses the most dangerous mafia family in Naples, she has no choice but to face Enzo Carbone, the ruthless heir to the Carbone empire. In exchange for her brother's life, Sophia strikes a dangerous deal: she'll pose as Enzo's fiancée to help him protect his family's fragile grip on power. Enzo is used to getting what he wants through charm or force but Sophia is unlike anyone he's ever met. Her fiery defiance and unshakable determination threaten to unravel his carefully constructed world. She's a pawn in his game, but the more he draws her into his darkness, the harder it becomes to let her go. As their arrangement spirals into something deeper, an old enemy resurfaces. Marcella Vargas, the cunning leader of a rival cartel, will stop at nothing to see Enzo and his empire burn and she knows exactly how to use Sophia to bring him to his knees. Caught between loyalty and love, deception and truth, Enzo and Sophia must decide how far they're willing to go to protect the people they care about. But in a world ruled by violence and betrayal, can love truly survive or will their bargain cost them everything? Some deals are made in blood. Others are sealed with a kiss.
The faint scent of linseed oil and turpentine clung to Sophia's fingertips as she adjusted her scarf, stepping out into the chill of a Neapolitan evening. The streetlights cast a golden hue over the narrow alleyways, their glow dancing off cobblestones slick from a passing rain. Her canvas bag bumped against her hip, laden with brushes, tubes of paint, and the meager earnings from the day's sales.
Home wasn't far. A modest apartment with peeling wallpaper and a perpetually leaky faucet, but it was hers-and Mateo's. She quickened her pace, mindful of the way shadows stretched and twisted at this hour, her mother's warnings about the dangers of Naples echoing in her mind.
Turning a corner, she froze.
Two men stood near the entrance to her building, their tailored suits incongruous in her working-class neighborhood. They didn't belong here, their sharp gazes sweeping the street with practiced indifference. One lit a cigarette, the glow briefly illuminating his chiseled features and the telltale bulge of a holstered weapon beneath his jacket.
Sophia's heart sank. She knew their kind-Enzo Carbone's kind.
For weeks, whispers of the Carbone family had spread like wildfire. Loans unpaid, favors called in, disappearances that weren't investigated. She clenched her fists, her brother's reckless face flashing in her mind. Mateo had promised her he was done with his schemes. He had sworn he wouldn't gamble again.
But promises didn't mean much when men like these came knocking.
Sophia hesitated, weighing her options. If she walked away, they'd find her tomorrow. Or worse, they'd go straight to Mateo. Swallowing her fear, she approached.
"Can I help you?" Her voice was steady, despite the storm raging in her chest.
The man with the cigarette turned, his dark eyes raking over her with a dispassionate calculation that made her skin crawl. "Sophia Reyes?"
"Who's asking?"
A low chuckle escaped his lips, though there was no humor in it. "Luca Santoro. Mr. Carbone sent us."
Sophia's stomach twisted. Enzo Carbone wasn't just any man. He was the devil of Naples, the heir to an empire built on blood and betrayal. If he'd sent his men, it wasn't to exchange pleasantries.
"I don't have any business with him," she said, forcing steel into her voice.
"Your brother does," Luca replied, flicking ash onto the ground. "And by extension, so do you."
Her heart thudded in her ears. "Mateo's not here."
"We know," the other man said, speaking for the first time. His voice was cold, clipped. "That's why you're coming with us."
Sophia took a step back. "I'm not going anywhere."
Luca raised a brow, as if amused by her defiance. "Look, lady, we're trying to do this the polite way. You can walk, or we can carry you. Your choice."
Her gaze darted to the door of her building, just a few feet away. If she screamed, someone might hear. But would anyone help? The neighborhood wasn't exactly known for its heroics.
Before she could decide, Luca stepped forward, gripping her arm with surprising gentleness for a man of his size. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."
The other man opened the door to a sleek black car idling at the curb. Its tinted windows gleamed under the streetlights, a silent promise that whatever happened next would be far from ordinary.
Sophia's mind raced. Mateo had gotten himself into trouble before, but this felt different. Bigger. She didn't know what awaited her on the other side of that car door, but one thing was certain: refusing wasn't an option.
"All right," she said, her voice tight. "I'll go."
Luca smiled faintly, as though he'd won some unspoken game. He released her arm and gestured toward the car.
Sophia climbed in, her pulse roaring in her ears. The interior smelled of leather and danger, and the silence was suffocating as the car pulled away from the curb.
The city blurred past, its lights and sounds fading as they drove deeper into unfamiliar territory. Sophia gripped the edge of her seat, every muscle in her body taut. She refused to let herself cry.
"Where are we going?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"To see Mr. Carbone," Luca replied, his tone matter-of-fact.
"And what does he want with me?"
Luca exchanged a glance with his companion, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, he said, "That's for him to explain."
Sophia bit back a retort, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. She was tired of being at the mercy of other people's decisions, of Mateo's mistakes.
The car slowed as they approached a sprawling villa perched on the edge of the city. Its stone façade loomed in the darkness, lit by warm sconces that did little to soften its imposing presence. The gates swung open, and they drove up a long driveway lined with cypress trees.
The car came to a stop. The door opened, and Luca motioned for her to step out.
Sophia hesitated, then squared her shoulders and climbed out. The cool night air bit at her skin as she followed the men toward the grand entrance.
The doors swung open, revealing a lavish interior of marble floors, gilded chandeliers, and an air of old-world decadence. A staircase swept upward, its banister gleaming under the soft glow of the lights.
"Wait here," Luca said, gesturing to a sitting area filled with antique furniture.
Sophia sat stiffly on the edge of a velvet sofa, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The seconds stretched into minutes, each one heavier than the last.
Finally, footsteps echoed down the hallway. A figure emerged, his presence commanding the room before he even spoke.
Enzo Carbone.
He was everything the rumors said and more. Tall and broad-shouldered, he moved with the quiet confidence of a man used to having the world at his feet. His dark hair was slicked back, his sharp jawline accentuated by the faintest shadow of stubble. But it was his eyes that held her captive-piercing and predatory, like a wolf assessing its prey.
"Sophia Reyes," he said, his voice smooth as silk yet carrying an edge that sent a shiver down her spine. "I've been expecting you."
She forced herself to meet his gaze, refusing to shrink under his scrutiny. "I don't know what Mateo's done, but whatever it is, I'm here to fix it."
Enzo's lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "Bold of you to assume you're in a position to fix anything."
Sophia's stomach churned, but she held her ground. "Then tell me why I'm here."
He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming as he loomed over her. "Your brother owes me a debt. A significant one. And I always collect."
Her throat tightened. "I don't have money-"
"Who said anything about money?" Enzo interrupted, his smile widening.
Sophia's blood ran cold. "What do you want?"
Enzo tilted his head, studying her like a puzzle he intended to solve. "We'll get to that. But first, let's talk about what you're willing to do to save your brother's life."
Sienna Blake has built her career on exposing corruption, but when her latest investigation uncovers dark secrets about Viktor Ivanov, the ruthless Russian mafia kingpin, her life is irrevocably changed. Kidnapped and held captive, she finds herself in the heart of a dangerous world where trust is a luxury and betrayal is a guarantee. Viktor Ivanov didn't rise to power by letting his guard down. Yet, the fiery journalist tests his resolve at every turn, challenging his control and stirring feelings he buried long ago. Torn between protecting his empire and the unexpected pull of Sienna's defiance, Viktor faces a choice: silence her forever or risk everything to keep her alive. But as old enemies resurface and devastating truths come to light, Sienna and Viktor are thrust into a deadly game of power, revenge, and desire. In a world where loyalty can kill and love is a dangerous gamble, can they survive long enough to rewrite their own story?
Elena Carter has spent her life fighting to stay afloat. But when her late father's crushing debt threatens to ruin her completely, she faces an impossible choice accept help from the one man who could destroy her carefully built independence. Enter Damien Blackwood, a billionaire with a reputation as ruthless as it is dazzling. His solution? A marriage of convenience that will erase her debt and secure his business interests. Elena swears she'll never be just another possession in Damien's world, but resisting his charm proves more dangerous than she expected. Damien thought he could keep things strictly business, but the fierce, independent Elena stirs something he buried long ago. As their forced proximity ignites passion and unravels secrets, the walls he's built around his heart begin to crumble. But in the shadows, Veronica Steele Damien's scheming ex-fiancée has her own plans to ensure this union ends in disaster. When betrayal and deceit threaten to tear them apart, Damien and Elena must decide: can they trust each other enough to turn their fake marriage into something real?
Caroline Forbes never imagined her life would lead her here sold by her own father to a man the kingdom whispers about in fear. Damon Morningstar, the ruthless and enigmatic werewolf king, has buried three wives already, each one dying under mysterious circumstances. Now, Caroline is forced to become his fourth bride, trapped in a castle where secrets linger in every shadow. Rumors say he's cursed; that any woman he claims as his queen is doomed. Caroline knows that escape is her only chance at survival, yet she can't deny the magnetic pull she feels whenever Damon is near. To her horror, she discovers the truth Damon is her fated mate, her one bond that could either destroy her or break the curse haunting him. But Damon is possessive, and he's willing to risk everything to keep her in his grasp. As desire and danger intertwine, Caroline must decide whether to flee for her life or surrender to the call of a man who might just be her undoing. Will she escape his dark hold, or will she become the queen who saves him and herself?
When Elena Cross is snatched from her life and forced into the dark world of the Blackstone Pack, she learns the ruthless truth about Alpha Kael Thorn a man as dangerous as he is powerful, and as captivating as he is cruel. Bound to him by a primal mate bond she never asked for, Elena finds herself trapped in a twisted battle of wills, where her humanity is both her shield and her curse. Kael despises everything about her. To him, she's a weakness, a threat to his pack, and a constant reminder of a past betrayal. Yet no matter how he tries to deny it, the bond keeps pulling him back to her, fueling an obsession he cannot escape. She's his mate, his property yet she defies him at every turn. In a world where freedom seems impossible, Elena is determined to resist him and break free. But as the tension between them blurs the line between hate and desire, she realizes that Kael's hold on her is far more dangerous than she ever imagined. Can Elena find the strength to escape, or will she be bound forever to a man who might be her worst nightmare... and her only salvation?
Isabella Cruz never asked for a fairy tale romance especially not with Rafael DeLuca, Manila's most ruthless CEO and heir to a powerful mafia empire. Thrown into an engagement she didn't choose, Bella tries to keep her heart safe from the cold, arrogant man who believes she's nothing but a gold-digger. But when she finds herself falling for him, her world shatters as Rafael's true intentions are revealed: he never wanted her, and he certainly never loved her. After signing their divorce papers with a broken heart and a secret child on the way Bella disappears from Rafael's life, determined to start anew. But when she reappears months later as the dazzling heiress of a wealthy business tycoon, Rafael's world is turned upside down. She's no longer the timid woman he underestimated she's now the queen of the city's elite, and everyone wants her. As Rafael grapples with the loss of the only woman who truly saw him, he realizes he might have thrown away the only love that ever mattered. But will he be able to win her back in a world that won't easily forgive his mistakes, or has Bella finally slipped beyond his reach?
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
"Please trust me, I didn't do anything." "I don't believe you. I am rejecting you as my Queen and giving you the punishment of death." Alina was living outside her pack for five years. Her parents didn't try to contact her and always ignored her. Her best friend convinced her to go back to their pack and she agreed. But she had never imagined what was waiting there for her. She never thought she would meet her mate and had to face betrayal from everywhere. She had to pay for the crime which she never committed. Aaron Robertson is the king of Lycans. He is a very dominant and powerful King who not only rules Lycans but also rules other ranks of werewolves. Everyone is afraid of Lycans and he is the king of them. But who knew that he would get a mate who was just a simple Omega with no powers and strengths? He called her weak all the time but little did he know that his weak Omega would give him the biggest betrayal of his life for which he had to give her the sentence of death.
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."