After his mother's death, his father lost all reasons why his son shouldn't be a part of his ruthless and brutal lifestyle, being the founder of the Potenza family "organization" his father didn't spare him, and after five years of training to be deemed fit as a Potenza, Elia Potenza runs from his father's grasp. For a few years, his father has sent men to hunt him and bring him back, they didn't care about any damage caused to Elia, and after 4 years of his father's attempts at getting him back, his father suddenly stops, until five years later... What happens when the reason for his father's change of behavior comes breaking into his home and threatening Elia's friends, leaving him no choice but to marry him...
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Rosario Barone and Elia Potenza in matrimony..." I tune out the officiant's speech, glancing to my right to see all of these strange faces, I know none of them, well except for my father's but he's as much of a stranger as the rest of his guests.
I look back at the man who's soon to be my husband, holding both my hands in his, his eyes dark as a bottomless abyss, his face unreadable.
How did I end up here? I put this kind of life behind me when I left nine years ago, I swore to myself that I wouldn't return to this place, that I wouldn't return to this life, no matter the reason.
I guess I got too comfortable.
I focus my attention back on the officiant who happens to be one of my father's men.
I bite the corner of my mouth, trying to stop myself from smiling at the stupidity of it all, this was a last-minute wedding, so I shouldn't be surprised if the officiant has used Google to figure out what to say, "please repeat after me," I clear my throat to stifle my laugh, my soon to be husband arches his eyebrow, but lets it go to repeat after the officiant, "I, Rosario Barone,"
"I, Rosario Barone" repeated Rosario in his deep voice.
"Take you Elia Potenza,"
"Take you Elia Potenza,"
"To be my husband,"
"To be my husband,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"To love and to cherish;"
"To love and to cherish;"
"From this day forward until death does us part."
"From this day forward until death does us part."
Once done, the officiant turns his head to me, "please repeat after me, I, Elia Potenza," the officiant begins.
"I, Elia Potenza,"
"Take you, Rosario Barone,"
"Take you, Rosario Barone,"
"To be my husband,"
"To be my husband,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"To love and to cherish;"
"To... to love and to cherish;"
"From this day forward until death does us part."
"From this day forward until death does us part." I make sure to look at my father when I said the last part.
"Time to exchange the rings," the officiant says and our best men came closer with their hands extended holding the rings out for us to take.
Rosario puts the ring on my finger first, then it was my turn to do the same thing for him, once we are done exchanging the rings, the officiant says, "By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may now kiss".
Rosario leans in and my body goes rigid, he continues to lean in but turns his head and angles it, so he's now blocking the guests' view, he puts his lips right around the corner of my lips and my cheek, and he lingers there for three seconds before pulling away.
It felt a lot longer.
Before I could overthink this kiss the officiant says, "I present to you, Mr. and Mr. Potenza."
Still holding my left hand in his, Rosario turns around to face the guests, and I do too.
The guests stand and upload as Rosario and I step down the Isle, on our way to begin this fucked up life again.
God, I wish I didn't go home that night.
"It's getting hot in here, don't you think?" I shudder as my clit becomes wet with his smooth voice. I melt away in his arms. He kisses me with a passion I've never felt before, and I moan into his mouth, lost in the moment until I sense him kicking open a door. I realize we're in a room. He continues the kiss as I wrap my leg around him, pulling him closer, his erection pressing into me. I feel my panties dripping wet from arousal. He releases me, resting his back on the headboard, and grabs my thigh, pulling me closer. His hand goes to my hair, releasing it to let my curls fall freely. He guides his fingers from my scalp to the ends of the curls, muttering in a husky voice, "Fucking beautiful. ****** Jasmine found herself trapped in a loveless marriage. Her world shattered when she uncovered her husband's betrayal on his birthday. Heartbroken and betrayed, she made the difficult decision to leave him and start anew in Illinois, with her friend Ava by her side. As Jasmine tried to go through her new life, a one-night stand left her pregnant, uncertain about the father's identity. But complications arose as Maxwell, Jasmine's ex-husband, refused to let go. Jasmine discovered shocking truths about Ava's betrayal. As secrets unraveled and loyalties were tested, Would she find the strength to overcome the obstacles in her way? Could she trust her heart, or would the shadows of the past forever haunt her?
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Annette Vasquez is broken and desperate to talk to Ryan, her ex-boyfriend who broke up with her a month ago. When an intimidating man appears on her door dressed in all blacks, she runs for cover and sends Ryan a text for help. Vicente Di Alberto is the Don of the Italian Mafia, cold, ruthless and untouchable. A strange message pops up on his phone which has him acting on impulse. He hates men who hurts women and he is ready to save and protect the woman calling for his help. Rescued by a sinfully handsome man, Ann feels safe around him until she finds out his real identity and also finds herself married accidentally to the most feared man in Italy. She wants out but Vicente is ready to use the accidental marriage to his advantage.
A man like Travis Sinclair wants nothing more than a woman who matches his sexual prowess and is used to getting everything he wants. A cold-hearted billionaire ,he lives by one rule - no love, no commitment. Ayanna Davies isn't looking for a relationship. She's focused on her work and the financial security it brings. As a high end escort, her client is full of filthy rich men who are willing to pay handsomely for her services. But when Travis Sinclair becomes one of her clients, she begins twice about mixing work with pleasure. Not knowing that he is an old acquaintance whom she despises.
Aria never wanted to marry Kael, the arrogant playboy her father forced her to accept as her fiancé. But Kael had his own twisted motives-he only wanted her because she was the one girl who refused him. When Aria rejected his demand to sleep with him a week before their wedding, Kael tried to take what he wanted by force. His drunken pursuit ended in tragedy when he was struck by a car, leaving Aria caught in the crossfire of blame. Zander, Kael's elder brother and the soon-to-be Alpha King, believed Aria was responsible for his brother's death-and promiscuous to boot. To prevent war between their packs, Zander agreed to marry her, but only for revenge. His plan? Ruin Aria's life for a year, then cast her aside and divorce her. But Zander's scheme begins to unravel when his ex-best friend Asher returns, determined to take Aria for himself. As secrets from the past resurface, Zander discovers betrayal, lies, and truths he never wanted to face. Was Aria truly guilty, or was she just another pawn in a deadly game of power and revenge? Asher laugh and say, "You're a fool; she never wanted to come. I told her you were with Lyra, so she came. And now I've achieved my goal: I ruined your marriage." Zander feel foolish, asking, "But why? I never did anything to you! You were my best friend. I should have killed you when you slept with my ex fiancée, Lyra!" Asher respond, "You knew I loved her, but you stole Lyra from me. She was my true mate, but she refused to marry me because you were soon to be the Alpha King! She never loved you. She loved me but wanted to be the queen of werewolves; that's all." Zander would realize how foolish he was. Yet, he still believed Aria wasn't innocent because she slept with his deceased brother before the wedding.
"I ran. Ran as fast as my legs could go. Away. Away from him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hailey Pritchett loved her job as the secretary of Henry Caldwell, the CEO of the Caldwell Industries. She was a woman who liked safety, and stayed far away from danger. However, the company is bought by a ruthless businessman who is known as the Sniper. Theodore Benson is a ruthless billionaire, and is known as the Sniper in the business world. Because he kills his opponents without letting them know. He bows down to no one, and when he wants something, he does everything - whether legal or not - to possess it. When Hailey and Theodore aka the Sniper, come face to face, Hailey knows that Theodore is dangerous. So Hailey does what she does best in the face of danger. She runs. But will Theodore let her get away? Theodore wants Hailey Pritchett, and won't stop until he has her - in every possible way. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~