Marina Russo has always lived a quiet life-graduated top of her class in culinary school, pays her bills on time, and avoids drama at all costs. When she lands a private chef position in a sprawling mansion on the edge of the city, it seems like a dream job. But nothing in that house is as simple as it seems. The brothers who own the estate are powerful, dangerous, and deeply tied to the criminal underworld. Domenico is gentle, perceptive, and blind-but he commands an empire with deadly precision and an almost eerie calm. Alessandro is sharp-edged, cold, and calculating-the kind of man whose presence is both intoxicating and terrifying. Marina is caught in their storm.But in a world where loyalty is currency and trust is a liability, love could be the one move that ruins them all.
Marina
I swear, if I see one more job listing that says "minimum five years of experience" for an entry-level position, I'm going to scream.
Lying in bed at eight in the morning - no, scratch that, eight-oh-seven because I hit snooze twice - I stare at the cracked ceiling and seriously consider giving up on this whole "being an adult" thing. Maybe I'll move back in with my mom. Maybe I'll open a food blog nobody reads. Or maybe I'll just stay here under my cheap blanket and pretend the outside world doesn't exist.
But of course, my phone pings.
Another job alert. Another fancy restaurant looking for someone "young, dynamic, passionate, but also willing to work sixteen-hour shifts for barely minimum wage."
Because that makes sense.
I groan and roll over, burying my face in the pillow.
Graduating from culinary school was supposed to be my big ticket. My dreams were shiny once - open a cozy bistro with my name on the sign, cook food that makes people close their eyes and smile, live a peaceful, quiet life. No drama. No stress. Just me, my knives, and a kitchen that smells like garlic and butter.
Instead, I'm twenty-four, broke, and living in an apartment that smells vaguely like my neighbor's cat.
Living the dream, Marina. Truly.
With a sigh, I grab my phone again and start scrolling. And that's when I see it -
"Private Chef Needed. Discreet. High Pay. Immediate Start."
No details. No restaurant name. Just a number and a promise that it pays well.
Which, honestly, sets off a tiny alarm bell in my head. But I'm too tired, too broke, and too desperate to care.
So I click.
Because what's the worst that could happen?
I stare at the listing for a solid minute, my thumb hovering over the screen.
Private Chef Needed. Discreet. High Pay. Immediate Start.
Discreet?
That's sketchy, right? That's code for illegal, or prepare to cook for a cult, or maybe don't ask too many questions if someone comes in bleeding.
I should swipe away. I really should.
But then my bank app pings, reminding me that my balance is exactly $12.47, and my landlord already gave me the look last week. The one that says, "I'm giving you till Friday, sweetheart, and then you're out."
So I press Call.
Because desperation makes you do dumb things, and apparently, I'm leading the parade today.
It rings once. Twice. Three times.
And then - click.
"Hello?" The voice on the other end is smooth. Male. Deep enough to make my stomach clench a little.
Which is weird, because I've been single for two years and I've never found mystery job recruiters remotely attractive.
"Yes," I say, trying to sound professional. "Marina Russo. I'm calling about the private chef position?"
There's a pause.
Too long. Long enough for my nerves to start chewing on themselves.
"You're available to meet today?" he asks. No small talk. No asking for a résumé. Just straight to business. "Two p.m. Bring your knives."
My throat goes dry.
Bring your knives?
"Is there a-um-kitchen trial?" I ask, trying not to sound like I'm already regretting this.
"Something like that," the voice says. And then, without missing a beat, "Text me your address. A car will pick you up at one-thirty."
And just like that - click - the call ends.
I lower the phone and blink at my bedroom wall.
A car? A mysterious trial? No résumé?
Okay, Marina, I mutter to myself, flopping back onto the bed. This is either the best opportunity of your life... or the beginning of the Netflix documentary where everyone yells at you for ignoring the obvious red flags.
Either way, I've got until one-thirty to pretend I'm not freaking out.
Amara had only ever known two things: fear and survival. Running from a past that left scars deeper than skin, she never expected to find safety - let alone love - in the arms of Rafael Moretti, the most feared man in the city's underworld. Ruthless, powerful, and haunted by his own demons, Rafael never imagined someone like Amara could slip past the armor he wore like a second skin. Saving her was never part of his plan. Needing her was never supposed to happen. But when her past comes hunting and his enemies see her as his one weakness, Rafael will stop at nothing to protect her - even if it means burning down the world they know. As danger tightens its noose around them, Amara and Rafael fight for a love that was forged in chaos and baptized in blood. Together, they will build a sanctuary - a home, a family, and a future no one can ever take from them. In a world where trust is a weapon and love is the most dangerous risk of all, will they find their forever - or will the past destroy them before they ever have the chance?
Sofia D'Angelo was raised to be perfect - the golden daughter of one of the city's most powerful families. Groomed for an arranged marriage that promised to merge empires, she was meant to smile, obey, and never stray from the gilded path carved for her. But behind the glittering façade, Sofia's world is a cage, and every obedient step tightens the noose around her freedom. Torn between the man she was promised to and the man who would burn the world for her, Sofia must decide: will she cling to the ashes of her old life, or embrace the velvet chains that promise her freedom at the cost of everything else?
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!
“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
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."