A desperate escape to her childhood home leads Isabella Bennett straight into the hands of Maximo Morelli, the cold and calculating mafia don. Unaware of his true identity, she spends one unforgettable night with him, only to wake up the next morning to find him gone, leaving behind only a cryptic warning note. Despite his attempts to push the night out of his mind, Maximo finds himself consumed by thoughts of Isabella. But when he discovers that her father betrayed the mafia, Maximo takes Isabella captive, vowing to make her life a nightmare. However, as he gets closer to her, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he can't ignore. What starts as hatred evolves into desire, and lust turns into an undeniable passion. Will they surrender to their explosive chemistry? Or will the shadows of the mafia pull them into an inescapable darkness?
Isabella's POV
The night air was crisp, carrying a heavy scent of rain as I hurried down the dimly lit street. My heart pounded in my chest, the rhythmic beat matching the hurried steps of my boots on the pavement. My father's betrayal had shattered everything. I had no one left, and no place to run but back home.
But even my childhood home, a small cottage nestled at the edge of town, felt like a foreign place now. The years I spent away, building a life in the city, seemed like a distant memory. I had fled this town long ago, desperate to escape the ghosts of the past. Yet, here I was, running back to the place that once held the only semblance of safety.
The harsh reality of my situation clawed at me with every step. My father's involvement with the mafia had always been shrouded in secrecy, but it didn't take long for me to uncover the truth. The moment I learned of his dealings, everything changed. The lies, the betrayals, and the secrets he'd kept from me for years. I had been naive to believe I was untouched by his world, but the truth had finally come crashing down. My father's actions had consequences, and now, those consequences had caught up with me.
I reached the gate to my family's estate, the wrought iron bars standing tall and imposing in the darkness. The large mansion loomed in the distance, its windows like hollow eyes, watching me as I approached. It felt suffocating, the weight of it pressing down on my chest. But there was no turning back now.
I unlocked the gate and stepped onto the gravel path that led up to the house. The familiar creak of the front door echoed through the silence as I pushed it open. The house was quiet, too quiet. I hadn't expected a warm welcome, but I hadn't expected this emptiness either.
The hallway stretched out before me, its shadows seeming to grow darker with every step. The place was unchanged, yet everything about it felt alien. I had left behind the comfort of my apartment in the city, the life I had carefully built, to return to this place of memories and regret.
I paused at the bottom of the stairs, the echo of my own breathing the only sound in the house. My heart was still racing, the adrenaline of my escape still coursing through my veins. The news of my father's death had spread quickly, and I knew the mafia would be coming for me. The fact that I was now the last remaining member of the Bennett family made me a target.
What choice did I have? Running away wasn't an option. The mafia didn't just let go of their own, and they certainly didn't let go of the bloodline. The air was thick with danger, and I couldn't outrun it forever.
I made my way to the kitchen, hoping for some semblance of comfort, but found nothing but cold, empty counters and an untouched pot of coffee on the stove. My gaze wandered to the window, where the city lights twinkled in the distance, a stark contrast to the stillness of the house. I longed for a simpler time, for the days when I was blissfully unaware of the dangers that surrounded me.
But those days were gone.
The sound of a car engine outside shattered the silence. My pulse quickened. My instincts told me to hide, to run, but my feet remained rooted to the floor. The front door creaked open, and the shadow of a tall figure filled the doorway.
"Isabella Bennett," the voice was low, commanding, and sent a chill running down my spine.
I didn't have to look to know who it was. My breath caught in my throat as I turned to face him.
Maximo Morelli.
The last person I ever expected to see again.
His cold, calculating eyes met mine, and for a moment, I felt a flash of panic. My heart skipped a beat, and I had to swallow the lump in my throat. He was the kind of man who made people tremble just by walking into a room, and I wasn't immune to the fear he instilled in others.
His gaze lingered on me, and I could feel the weight of his scrutiny. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken tension.
"I didn't expect you to come back here," he said, his voice laced with amusement.
I stood frozen in place, my mind racing. What was he doing here? How had he found me? The last time I had seen Maximo had been an unforgettable night, one that I had tried to erase from my memory. One that had left me breathless and confused, questioning everything I knew about myself.
He stepped closer, his footsteps echoing in the stillness of the house. The air seemed to grow heavier with each movement he made.
"You thought you could hide?" His voice was soft, but the menace in it was clear. "You think your father's actions won't catch up to you? You really don't understand, do you?"
I tried to back away, but my body felt like it was frozen in place. His gaze was unrelenting, and I knew that I had nowhere to run.
"You know what your father did, don't you?" He took another step closer, his towering presence looming over me. "He betrayed us. He thought he could get away with it. But there's no escape. Not for him, and not for you."
I swallowed hard, fighting the tremor in my voice. "I didn't have anything to do with it," I said, my words coming out in a rush. "I don't know anything about what he did. I-"
"You're his daughter. You're just as guilty as he was," Maximo cut me off, his tone sharp as a knife. "And now you're going to pay for his sins."
I wanted to argue, to defend myself, but the words wouldn't come. The fear gnawed at me, and I could feel the weight of the situation settling over me like a suffocating blanket.
Maximo took another step closer, his body mere inches from mine. The heat from his presence was suffocating, and I could feel my chest tighten with anxiety.
"You think you can escape this world?" he asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You think you can just walk away from the mafia and live a quiet life? You're part of this now, Isabella. Whether you like it or not."
I looked up at him, my breath shallow. "I don't want any part of this," I said, my voice shaking with fear. "I just want to be left alone."
Maximo studied me for a long moment, his gaze intense. "You're not getting away that easily," he finally said, his voice low and ominous. "You're mine now. And there's nothing you can do to change that."
My heart raced, panic clawing at my chest as I took a step back. I didn't know what he was going to do, but the look in his eyes told me I was in more danger than I had ever imagined.
Sophia Morelli has lived a life of luxury, but it's a luxury tainted by the shadow of her family's mafia connections. Trapped in a gilded cage, she yearns for freedom from the violence and deceit that surround her. But when her father, the head of the Morelli crime family, arranges her engagement to a man she despises, her life takes a dark turn. Dante Rossi, the ruthless and calculating head of a rival mafia family, is a man who commands respect and fear. He's spent years building his empire and erasing any weakness, but everything changes when he's ordered to protect Sophia from the escalating threats to her life. What starts as a reluctant duty soon turns into a dangerous game of passion and power.
Born under the Blood Moon, Sarah Law has always felt the curse in her veins- a mark of ancient magic, feared by her pack and hunted by those who know the prophecy. When her pack betrays her on her eighteenth birthday, offering her as a sacrifice to the wild Lycans, Sarah expects death. What she finds instead is him. Damien Knights, the exiled Lycan King, scarred by war and bound by vengeance, saves her for reasons even he doesn't understand. She's the key to lifting the curse that plagues his people... but also the one who could destroy him. As enemies close in, secrets unravel, and the full extent of Sarah's power awakens, a bond forms between the cursed girl and the broken king- one forged by blood, fate, and a darkness neither of them can escape.
When Tony Anderson returns to the estate he once called home, it's not to reclaim the billion-dollar family legacy- it's to destroy the man who stole everything from him: his own father. But with his inheritance comes more than cold marble halls and corporate dominance. It comes with Sandy Taylor- the woman he once loved, now engaged to his half-brother. As Tony uncovers the secrets buried deep in the Anderson dynasty, one truth becomes clear: he wasn't meant to be the heir... but he's the only one ruthless enough to carry the name.
Lena Matthews never expected her life to turn upside down when her mother remarried, bringing along her new stepbrother, Jace Sullivan. Jace, with his smoldering good looks and rebellious attitude, is everything Lena never wanted in a step-sibling. The tension between them is palpable, but Lena keeps her distance, determined to ignore the undeniable chemistry that grows between them. However, when a shared family secret emerges, everything changes. Lena is thrust into a whirlwind of emotions, betrayal, and temptation as the truth unravels. Jace, who has always been the bad boy with a troubled past, becomes her unexpected protector. As they navigate their newfound connection, Lena must decide whether to risk it all for a forbidden love that threatens to tear their family apart or walk away before it's too late.
Violet Kensington is a woman on a mission. After years of working her way up in the corporate world, she's finally earned a coveted position at the prestigious Westbrook Industries-a company led by the enigmatic and infuriatingly handsome billionaire, Liam Westbrook. With his cold demeanor and reputation for ruthless decision-making, Liam is nothing like the man she expected to meet. But there's more to Liam than meets the eye, and Violet soon finds herself tangled in a forbidden affair that threatens to derail her career. Liam Westbrook, the elusive CEO of Westbrook Industries, has long since sworn off love. His life is built on control, and he's not about to let a fiery intern like Violet disrupt his carefully constructed world. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for him to ignore the undeniable chemistry between them. As passion flares and boundaries blur, secrets from Liam's past begin to surface-secrets that could destroy everything, including the fragile relationship they've built.
For centuries, the Ashbane and Nightclaw packs have been locked in a brutal feud soaked in blood and vengeance. Elle Davenport, daughter of the Ashbane Beta, was raised to hate the Nightclaws-especially their ruthless Alpha, Brandon Osgood. So when she's taken hostage during a border ambush, she expects death... not the glowing mark of the mate bond binding her to her sworn enemy. Brandon doesn't want a mate-especially not her. But the bond is unbreakable, and something darker than war is stirring in the woods. Rogue packs are rising, alliances are shifting, and an ancient prophecy foretells a union that could either save or doom them all. Now, bound by fate and hunted by forces that want them dead, Elle and Brandon must choose: destroy each other... or fight side by side. Love was never part of the war. But the moon has other plans.
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
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?
Their marriage was nothing but for the benefit of the two families. He could choose anyone to be his bride, but the moment he laid his eyes on her, he knew she was the one he wanted. However, their marriage didn't last for a long because of her indifference. Until the moment he signed the divorce agreement, he finally witnessed her true colors. It turned out that she also took advantage of him. Their divorce was not an end but the start of the real love game.
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."
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
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."