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?
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Anabel found out she was pregnant and dialed her husband's number to share the good news to him. They have been married for two years without a child. Desmond's mother had been accusing her of being barren and unproductive. When the call was picked, she was flabbergasted and broken. She was hearing a loud moan of feminine voice. "Ohh! Yeah! Don't stop fucking me! Fuck me harder baby!" accompanied with sound of skins slapping against the other. She went home to confront her husband and end up receiving a divorce paper. Desmond divorced him for a lady his mother was rooting. Few months later when he found out that his ex-wife is a billionaire heiress and she is pregnant with twins, he went crazy!
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want 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?
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"