She signed a contract to save her family. Now, she belongs to him. When Kayla Marshall agrees to a two-year marriage with the ruthless billionaire Adrian Knight, she knows she's making a deal with the devil. Cold, dominant, and dangerously powerful, Adrian doesn't just own businesses-he owns people. And now, Kayla is one of them. But she isn't the obedient wife he expects. She fights him at every turn, refusing to be just another pawn in his game. And the more she defies him, the more he's drawn to her fire. Just when Kayla starts to uncover the dark secrets behind Adrian's empire, a storm of betrayal, power struggles, and deadly enemies threatens to destroy them both. And at the center of it all? A past that refuses to stay buried. She was supposed to be his temporary possession. But in a world of control and chaos, who will end up owning whom?
Kayla's pov
The silence between us feels so loud that I can feel my heart pounding. My father is sitted across from me, his face blank of any expression . One can tell that he is really apprehensive as he keeps sighing and tossing around . I don't even what to say because he was warned not to do what he did.
"How much do you owe him exactly dad" I ask,breaking the silence
He looks up at me but quickly drops down his gaze. "I owe him a lot, too much"he mutters. "Too much for me to even pay back. Oh God, what have I done"he questions himself
I clenched my fists but immediately releases them because I must remain calm.Deep down my heart, I'm so pissed. Of all the people to owe it's Adrian Lockwood?,the man whose name strikes terror in the heart of the people even most powerful and influential men do not want to mess with him or be in his bad book.
Before I could say anything else, there's a loud knock on the door, like the other person is deliberately trying to break it. My father jolts in fear."It must be him, he's here for his money", he whispers, his voice shaking.
My heart begins to pound so fast and loud. Adrian Lockwood is behind that door, if what my dad is true then we are in serious trouble.
The door breaks open and there he is. Adrian walks in majesticly like he owns the place. Dressed in an expensive black suit adorned with little beads of diamonds, he's aura feels the room. He's steps are like that of a predator. Very calm, calculated and precise.
"Mr Marshall", he says calmly,his deep voice echoing in the room." It's safe to say that you know why I'm here"
I look at my father and he could barely look at him. "Please" he beguns, clasping his hands together and went on his knees. " I just need more time, I will definitely pay you back, I swear, I just --"
Adrian begins to laugh, cutting of my father's pleas. " Time" he arches his brows,and his voice is filled with disdain. " I've given you too much time already, Marshall. I don't remember telling you I run a charity organization."
I can see my father shaking under Adrian's stare. My father, who was once a successful man now cowering at the feet of Adrian like a begger. Though the debt might be much but it's more than financial. It's life threatening.
"I will pay back.... I can..." My father stammers " but I just need more...."
" More??" Adrian's growled, his voice cold. " I'm not here to listen to all ur cock and bull excuses, I just need my money and I will get it today because I always do". His eyes darts to me, I instantly feel chills running through my spine. His eyes linger on me like he's searching for something.
" I'll make this simple and fast", he says as he steps closer towards me. " Your father's debt is too much and I doubt he can pay me immediately. And I'm sure you know that I don't show mercy..." He pauses and smirks like a predator. "There's only one option left.
I swallow hard, my heart beating and my stomach knotting. " What's the option"
Adrian's eyes didn't leave my body. " You. Marry me for two years. During that period you must make sure you pay me back after that you can walk away freely. If not..." He leans in slightly towards my face," I'll have to collect in other ways"
I gasped for air. It's a way out but at what cost. My life?
"What!!!, marry you?, no I can't do that, there must be some other way please" I plead
"There isn't." Adrian syays calmly. " You know your father can't pay me . I need my money now but if I'm willing to let it go on longer then u must accept, if not you either pay me now or die. So this is the only way except you prefer the other way" he grins
My father breaks down in tears. Nooo, you can't take my daughter. I'll do anything. She will only become your slave and I can't bear to watch that happen"
"Then both of you die?" Adrian asks coldly
" But why me?" I ask tearing up
" Because you are the valuable thing he has"
"Thing???, I'm not a thing . I'm a person just like you "
" Ahh, never you are not a person like me", he says adjusting his suit
" Ohk, so what's it gonna be"
It's happening. It's real. Is this how I'm gonna end up?
I look at my father, he looks back with guilt written all over his face
" I give you twenty four hours to respond else I'll assume you have my money and send my boys. God help you if you don't. You don't want to know what I'll do" he says as he steps out of the door. He stops and takes a good look at me then leaves finally.
"I'm doomed"
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.