Blurb: Aurora "Rory" Thompson is a fearless journalist with a knack for uncovering the truth. In the bustling streets of modern-day New York City, her latest investigation thrusts her into the shadowy world of Julian "The Bull" DeMarco, a charismatic and ruthless Mafioso with a reputation for controlling everything and everyone around him. What begins as a quest for justice soon becomes a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Drawn to Julian's magnetic allure, Rory finds herself trapped between her ambition and the perilous pull of his power. As she digs deeper, Rory uncovers secrets that could shatter the underworld –and her sense of morality. With rival families, law enforcement, and betrayal lurking around every corner, Rory must navigate a web of danger and deceit. When Julian's true intentions come light, she's forced to confront the ultimate question: will she risk everything to expose the truth, or will she succumb to the darkeness that threatens to consumer her?.
Chapter One:
Aurora's pov
New York City was a city of contrasts. By day, it sparkled with promises of opportunity and ambition. By night, its streets hummed with secrets, whispered deals, and unspoken truths that most would rather ignore. For me, the night was where the stories lived-hidden beneath the veneer of civility, waiting to be exposed.
I adjusted the strap of my camera bag and glanced at the dimly lit bar ahead. "La Fortuna" wasn't just any dive in Little Italy. It was notorious for two things: its perfectly aged bourbon and the criminals who frequented it. The latter was what brought me here.
Taking a steadying breath, I pushed open the heavy wooden door, stepping into a haze of smoke and low murmurs. The warm scent of tobacco mingled with the sharper smell of whiskey. My eyes adjusted quickly to the dim light, scanning the crowd for the man who had become an obsession-not just mine, but the entire city's.
Julian DeMarco.
The name alone could make grown men falter. He was more myth than man-a shadowy figure who controlled half the city's underground operations. Drugs, gambling, extortion-you name it, and DeMarco's name was whispered in the same breath. But no one could prove it. That's where I came in.
I worked for The New York Sentinel, a paper known for its investigative deep dives. My editor, Marlene, had half-jokingly called this assignment my "make-or-break moment." Either I'd get the scoop of the decade, or I'd disappear into Julian's world, never to be seen again.
"Let's not make this the latter," I muttered under my breath.
I spotted him almost immediately, sitting in a corner booth, his back to the wall like the predator he was. His tailored black suit blended into the shadows, but there was no mistaking him. He was every bit as magnetic as the whispers suggested-jet-black hair swept back, sharp jawline, piercing eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Even in the dim light, he radiated a commanding presence.
Julian DeMarco was dangerous, and I had no business being here.
But I wasn't leaving.
I slid onto a barstool, pretending to adjust my phone as I covertly snapped a picture of him. My heart pounded as I sent it to my encrypted folder. Proof, I reminded myself. Every piece of evidence mattered.
"What's a girl like you doing in a place like this?"
The voice startled me, and I looked up to see a man leaning against the bar, a sly grin on his face. He had the greasy charm of someone who thought they were much better-looking than they were.
"Just grabbing a drink," I replied smoothly, lifting my glass of soda as if it were whiskey. "Is that a problem?"
He laughed. "Not at all. But girls like you don't usually last long around here. Friendly advice-don't go sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
I stiffened, my grip tightening on the glass. "Thanks for the tip," I said, keeping my tone light. "I'll keep that in mind."
The man shrugged, gave me a lingering look, and wandered off. I exhaled slowly, my gaze darting back to Julian's booth.
To my surprise, he was watching me.
For a split second, our eyes locked, and I felt a jolt of something I couldn't quite place-fear, maybe. Or fascination. His lips curved into the faintest smile, and he inclined his head as if acknowledging my presence.
My stomach flipped. Had he noticed me taking the picture? Did he know who I was?
I tore my gaze away and reached for my phone, pretending to check a text. But the urge to glance back at him was overwhelming. When I did, he was still watching me.
I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just made a very, very dangerous mistake.
The cab ride back to my apartment was a blur. My mind replayed every moment, analyzing Julian's expression, the way his gaze had lingered on me. Had I been too obvious? Too careless?
By the time I reached my building, my nerves were frayed. I fumbled with my keys, cursing under my breath as they slipped from my fingers.
"Need help?"
The voice sent a chill down my spine. I spun around, my heart pounding.
Julian DeMarco stood in the shadows, his hands casually tucked into his coat pockets.
"Mr. DeMarco," I stammered, trying to mask my shock. "What are you doing here?"
He stepped closer, the dim streetlight illuminating his features. Up close, he was even more imposing. His eyes seemed to pierce right through me as if he could read every thought racing through my mind.
"I could ask you the same thing," he said, his voice low and measured. "You've been following me."
My breath caught. "I don't know what you're talking about."
His smile was cold, calculated. "You're not a very good liar, Ms. Thompson."
My stomach dropped. Of course, he knew my name. I shouldn't have been surprised.
"I'm a journalist," I said, summoning as much confidence as I could. "It's my job to ask questions."
Julian tilted his head, studying me. "And what questions are you hoping to answer, Ms. Thompson?"
I hesitated. "The truth," I said finally.
He chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "The truth," he repeated. "That's a dangerous thing to chase in my world."
"Maybe I'm not afraid of danger."
His smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "Maybe you should be."
We stood in tense silence, the city's noise a distant hum around us. Then he stepped back, his expression unreadable.
"Goodnight, Ms. Thompson," he said. "Stay safe."
With that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving me standing there, my heart racing and my mind spinning.
I didn't know what game Julian DeMarco was playing, but one thing was clear: I was already in too deep.
This gig or story was going to take everything away from me.......I hope I don't fall victim to his world
Blurb : Brenda Walker has spent her life trapped-first in a toxic family, then in a loveless marriage to a man who sees her as nothing more than an ornament. Weak, pitiful, and broken, she has resigned herself to a life of silent misery. That is until she meets Tony DeLuca-a cruel billionaire with a sinful touch and a dangerous past. Tony is everything Brenda isn't-powerful, dominant, and willing to take what he wants. When their worlds meet, he awakens a fire inside her that she never knew existed. But desire comes with a price. As Brenda's transformation starts, she finds herself entangled in a dangerous web of betrayal, blackmail, and revenge. With enemies lurking in the shadows-her vengeful husband, a deceitful sister, and Tony's obsessive ex-Brenda must decide: will she surrender to fear, or rise from the ashes to claim the love and power she deserves?
"I reject you! I will never accept you as my Luna!" These were the cruel words Melissa heard from Kane, her fated mate and the powerful Alpha of the Ambersy Pack. As the daughter of a shamed Alpha, Melissa has suffered a life of abuse and humiliation, treated worse than a slave. Kane's refusal shatters her, but one night of passion binds them in a way neither can forget. Betrayed by her family and pushed into a loveless marriage, Melissa's life falls into darkness. When tragedy hits, she flees, determined to leave behind the pain and loss. With the help of a rogue friend, Melissa learns she is more than just a helpless omega. She is the last daughter of a wolf goddess with unthinkable strength. Years later, a joint threat takes Melissa back to the Ambersy Pack, where she faces Kane once more. This time, she is no longer the weak girl he once rejected. As secrets unravel and enemies close in, Melissa must decide if she can forget the past and trust Kane with her heart again. In a world of betrayal, revenge, and forgiveness, will Melissa rise to claim her fate and find the love and happiness she deserves?
Carrying a child left Adeline trapped in marriage to the ruthless and unhinged Waylon, and everyone doubted she'd survive to see the baby's first breath. Filled with dread but determined, she carefully won him over and soon became his lethal obsession. Yet on the day she planned to escape, Waylon drove their car to a cliff's edge, foot hovering over the gas. "I'm sorry, love—did you just say divorce?" His fingers skimmed her cheek, his tone a deadly whisper. "Defy me, and you pay." Later, drenched in blood and rain, he knelt before her, trembling, and pleaded, "Tell me how to keep you here."
He told her to call him Daddy. Not because he earned it, but because he fucking owned her. The moment she signed that contract, she stopped being a woman with dignity and became his filthy little plaything. His holes to use. His mess to ruin. He didn't just fuck her, he rewired her. Stripped her clean of boundaries and filled her with sin. Every punishment made her scream. Every game dragged her deeper into his twisted world. And the way he praised her... Good girl. She should've run the first time he said it. But Daddy doesn't let his toys leave. He breaks them until they beg to stay. ** Mia's life changed the night she let a stranger ruin her. One night. She never expected to see him again. Until she walked into her new job... and her boss turned around. Ace.Her one-night sin in a thousand-dollar suit. Only this time, he wasn't asking her to be his assistant. She was to be his wife.
She thought he was the villain. He was only trying to save his soul. Rena lives in a world of sunshine, sweets, and simple dreams. Until one reckless decision drops her into a dark realm of secrets, curses and werewolves. Kidnapped, heartbroken. She doesn't know who to trust anymore especially not Logan, the arrogant, cruel Alpha who's keeping her as a hostage. Until she discovers his dark secret. He's been hearing her thoughts all along. Now the walls between them are crumbling. And when feelings grow where hatred once lived, a curse demands that blood becomes a love that demands sacrifice. But how can she give her heart to the one who might need it to die?
"You're my wife in name only, on paper only. My heart and love will never be yours." Edward made it clear to Daisy that she was nothing to him. They were both victims of family greed -- the marriage was arranged for them. Six years passed. She remained quiet, gaining a reputation in the army as a tough-as-nails colonel. When she walked into his life again, Edward fell in love with this woman, unlike any he had known. She surprised and delighted him. But will Daisy take him back? Can their son keep them together? Can the rift between them be healed? Pick this one up and find out!
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.