Seventeen-year-old Elena Romano has spent her life staying out of trouble. Growing up in the shadows of a powerful mafia family, she knows the rules: keep your head down, don't ask questions, and never get involved. But when she accidentally overhears a secret she was never meant to know, she becomes a target. Luca DeLuca is the heir to one of the most feared crime families in the city. Cold, untouchable, and dangerous, he doesn't believe in love-only loyalty and power. But when Elena's life is put in jeopardy, he makes a risky choice: to protect her. Thrown into a world she swore to avoid, Elena doesn't know who to trust-especially not Luca, whose reputation is built on deception. Yet, the more time she spends with him, the more she realizes that beneath his icy exterior, there's something even more dangerous than his enemies... his heart. But in a world where alliances shift like shadows and betrayal is just a heartbeat away, Elena will have to decide: walk away before it's too late, or risk everything for the boy she was never supposed to love.
The dim glow of the bar's neon lights flickered as Elena Vasquez wiped down the counter, exhaustion settling deep into her bones. The place was nearly empty, save for a few stragglers nursing their drinks. She glanced at the clock-just past midnight. Another long shift, another night of barely scraping by.
Then the door slammed open.
Elena's heart jumped as two men in black suits strode inside, their presence suffocating. They moved with a quiet menace, their eyes scanning the room before locking onto her.
"Elena Vasquez?" one of them asked.
Her grip on the rag tightened. She didn't need to ask who they were-she already knew.
"I-I think you have the wrong person," she stammered, stepping back.
The taller of the two men smirked. "No, sweetheart, we don't." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small black notebook. Flipping it open, he read aloud, "Luis Vasquez. Twenty-six years old. Gambler. Druggie. And as of last week, owes the Castellano family fifty grand."
Elena's stomach twisted into knots. Luis. Her brother.
She had tried so hard to keep him out of trouble, to protect him from the streets that had swallowed so many others. But once again, he had made a reckless choice-one that now had deadly consequences.
"I don't have that kind of money," she said, voice shaking.
The second man, Matteo, leaned against the bar, his dark eyes unwavering. "We know. That's why the boss wants to see you."
"The boss?" she whispered.
The Castellanos were the most feared mafia family in the city. Their name alone sent shivers down spines. And at the top of their empire was Luca Castellano-the heir, the king of the underworld, and a man rumored to be as ruthless as he was untouchable.
Elena shook her head. "I'll talk to my brother-"
"Your brother is gone," Matteo cut in. "Disappeared. Probably running. That means his debt falls on you now ."
Her heart pounded. This couldn't be happening.
"Come quietly, Elena," the taller man warned. "Or we drag you there. Either way, you're seeing Luca tonight."
Elena took a shaky breath. She didn't have a choice.
As the men led her out of the bar and into the black SUV waiting outside, one thought echoed in her mind.
She was walking into the lion's den.
In the heart of the African savannah lies the village of Ndomo, where Amina, a young girl with a mysterious heritage, discovers an ancient artifact linked to her ancestors' forgotten power. The artifact, long buried in the earth, holds immense energy capable of shaping the future of her people and the land itself. As Amina comes to understand her connection to this force, she is torn between embracing its power to protect her village or resisting its dangerous influence, knowing that the same power led to the fall of her ancestors. Amina's journey is fraught with internal and external conflicts, as rival clans seek the artifact to control the land, and Amina grapples with the temptation to wield its strength. Betrayal, self-doubt, and the weight of legacy shadow her every step. The artifact's power, a force that once corrupted and destroyed her ancestors, now seeks to possess her, forcing Amina to make choices that will define her future-and the future of Ndomo. As the darkness returns, Amina must confront not only the external threats that endanger her people but also the dangerous pull of the artifact within her. The line between good and evil blurs as she faces the ultimate question: can she control the artifact's power, or will it consume her like it did those before her? With a suspenseful cliffhanger, the novel explores themes of identity, the burden of legacy, the corrupting influence of power, and the courage to make difficult choices for the greater good.
This story is about a young lady coming from an average to almost a poor background. How would she pay her fees, what will also happen in her love life would she end up with her crush or will she get married to someone else? Find out.
The story is about the king who was looking for a wife but later saw but she was accused of poisoning him did he later marry her?? He had a daughter was she really his daughter? Did his wife have an affair was there a conspiracy find out
Accused of murder, Sylvia Todd's mother was deemed a traitor by the entire pack, condeming Sylvia to live the rest of her life alone in humiliation as a lowly slave. All she wanted to do was to prove her mother's innocence somehow, but fate never seemed to be on the side of the traitor's daughter. Still, Sylvia never lost hope. As the future lycan king of all werewolves, Rufus Duncan possessed great power and status, but he had an inexplicable reputation for being cruel, bloodthirsty, and ruthless. Unbeknownst to everyone, he had been cursed long ago to transform into a killer monster on every full moon. Even though fate did not always look upon the two, it brought Sylvia and Rufus together as each other's destined mates. Will justice be served for Sylvia's mother? What about Rufus' secret? Can Sylvia and Rufus defy all societal norms and stay together? Will these two unlucky souls have their happy ending?
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."